IN THE NEWS
Biological Safety website updated
The website of the UT Biological Safety program, http://biosafety.utk.edu, has been updated recently to include information and resources on biological safety and research compliance. Available topics:
- NIH guidelines and resources for recombinant DNA use
- Regulatory guidelines and expectations for laboratories designated Biosafety Level 1 or BSL-2
- Information and resources on the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
- Guidelines and expectations for collection, treatment, and disposal of biohazardous waste
- Resources for researchers working with animals and plants in the lab or the field
- DHHS/USDA select agents Information on the Institutional Biosafety Committee and IBC registration forms.
The website also includes new features such as an online autoclave validation program, lab inspection information, and emergency contact information, as well as a link for anonymous reporting of biological safety concerns or complaints. Information on online or classroom training programs is also available.
Contact Sara DiFurio, (865) 974-9836 or sbottoml@utk.edu, with questions, comments, or suggestions.
Use Adobe 9.0 with Grants.gov
The newly released 9.0 version of Adobe is compatible with forms available on Grants.gov. The federal web page for locating and applying for funding is compatible with the new Adobe 9.0, as well as with older versions 8.1.1 and 8.1.2. Older versions of Adobe will not work with Grants.gov.
To check whether your version of Adobe Reader is compatible, click here.
To download a free copy of Adobe Reader, click here.
State bonus must be figured into projects
The state-mandated bonus recently announced for UT employees must be accounted for in all sponsored projects that are in effect on October 1, 2008. Staff who are preparing or monitoring project budgets must account for the bonus (up to $400 per employee), the related 9-percent fringe benefit, and related F&A charges. Contact Luana Henley (lhenley1@utk.edu, 974-2402).
Pilot program will support open-access publication
University Libraries and the UT Office of Research are developing a pilot program that will support faculty publication in open-access journals. An initial fund of $20,000 is being established to pay article-processing charges for journals published digitally and available to users for free.
The program will continue through June 2009 or until the fund is exhausted. More information.
Contact Linda L. Phillips, head of scholarly communication
(llphillips@utk.edu, 974-4702).
OPPORTUNITIES
UTOR expects internal competition for NSF MRI, two other RFPs
The UT Office of Research expects to hold internal competitions for at least three solicitations over the next quarter, including the National Science Foundation’s Major Research Instrumentation program.
Because of limits on the number of proposals the university can submit, faculty will need to notify the office of their intent to submit for any of these programs.
This year the Office of Research expects to offer faculty workshops on some or all of these programs. Workshops are expected in October.
NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI)
The MRI program for 2009 has not been announced yet, but agency officials expect to issue the announcement in mid-October. The MRI 08 allowed UT (as accredited) to submit a maximum of two proposals for instrument acquisition, with the possibility of submitting a third for instrument development. The 08 solicitation required cost-sharing.
Deadlines: Internal competition, TBD (watch for dates to come); UTOR deadline, January 16, 2009
Last year’s MRI solicitation (how it will change for 2009 is not known at the moment)
ORAU Powe Award
Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ Ralph Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards provide $5,000 toward a research project by a junior faculty member. The UT Office of Research provides a $5,000 match. UT Knoxville can nominate only two faculty for the Powe awards. The UT vice chancellor for research makes the nominations.
Deadlines: Internal letter of intent, 12 noon, October 31, 2008; UTOR deadline February 2, 2009
More information
Dreyfus Teacher/Scholar Awards
The Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation is soliciting proposals for the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards program which supports the research and teaching careers of young faculty in the chemical sciences, including biochemistry, materials, chemistry, and chemical engineering. The program provides an unrestricted research grant of $75,000. UT as accredited may submit only one nomination.
Deadlines: Internal letter of intent, 12 noon, October 31, 2008; UTOR deadline February 1, 2009
More information
UTRF offers support to mature technologies
UT faculty with developing technologies can qualify for up to $15,000 in support from the UT Research Foundation's second UTRF Maturation Funding competition.
The competition is open to all UT researchers, including staff and students, who are working with an invention or creation that has been disclosed or is ready to be.
The grants support projects that demonstrate the technology in order to increase its commercial readiness or provide new data.
Deadline: November 21, 2008
More information
Contacts:
Richard Magid in Memphis, (901) 448-1562
Stacey Patterson for all other locations, (865) 974-3140
NIH seeks proposals for biodiversity groups
NOTE: Short deadline—no internal competition
The National Institutes of Health has is soliciting proposals for its 2009 International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups program. The ICBG projects address the interdependence of biodiversity exploration in health and energy, specifically involving sustainability, conservation, and partnership frameworks among research and development organizations in the U.S. and in low- and middle-income countries. The National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy are partners in the ICBG program.
The University of Tennessee is limited to one application. Because this program “is operating under a pilot initiative for shorter applications,” there is no time to conduct an internal competition. Faculty who have read the solicitation and are interested in teaming on a proposal can contact Greg Reed, assoc. vice chancellor, UT Office of Research (gdreed@utk.edu).
Deadlines: Letter of intent to NIH, October 21, 2008; final proposal to UTOR, 8 a.m. November 14, 2008.
More information
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Kresge Foundation Environment Program, Green Building Initiative
The Kresge Foundation is making awards of from $50,000 to $100,000 for planning grants to cover projects involving sustainable building practices, environmental stewardship, and sound land-use planning, and planning grants for sustainable design.
Deadline: Continuous
More information
NSF International Collaboration in Chemistry (ICC)
The National Science Foundation is seeking to foster collaborations between chemists in the United States and Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, China, and France. The NSF Division of Chemistry will accept collaborative research proposals that break new ground, demonstrate high levels of synergy between collaborating investigators, and are not continuations of previous proposals.
Deadline: November 4, 2008, preliminary proposal
More information
DOD announces 2009 MURI research initiative
The Department of Defense’s Office of Naval Research has released its Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative for 2009. The DOD Broad Agency Announcement lists 32 topic areas of interest to the national defense agenda. Awards can total as much as $1.5 million annually for three to five years.
Deadlines: White paper, October 31, 2008; full proposal to UTOR, January 4, 2009.
UT Contact: Paul Montgomery, director of external relations (paul.montgomery@utk.edu)
More information
NRC program offers associateships at federal labs
The National Research Council is sponsoring awards for research at federal laboratories for postdoctoral and senior researchers. The associateship awards provide recent Ph.D. recipients with stipends ranging from $42,000 to $72,000 for independent research at federal facilities.
Deadlines: Ongoing and quarterly (Nov. 1, Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1)
More information
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