CoR NEWSNovember 10, 2016
To: APLU Council on ResearchFrom: APLU CoR Staff
- Request for Recommendations for Key Positions in the New Administration
- Request for NIH Preprints and Interim Research Products RFI Comments
- NSF Rotator Policy Change
- University Associations Request an Extension of the NIH Single IRB Policy Implementation Date
- Final Report of the SEAB Task Force on Biomedical Sciences
- Higher Education Associations Submit Comments to FCC Regarding Business Data Services
- OMB FY2018 Letter
APLU is still accepting recommendations for key personnel in the new presidential administration as detailed in APLU President Peter McPherson’s email to the Council of Presidents on October 26, 2016. Typically, the president-elect will announce cabinet nominations and several other major nominations in the weeks following the election for Senate consideration in January. APLU seeks the names of leaders who reflect the values and goals of our public universities to ensure the new administration’s cabinet members and key political appointments help build a productive environment for higher education and scientific research policymaking. The academic community can have a significant impact on appointments for science and highly-technical jobs. Please ensure that your president has responded to this email (attached) as soon as possible, and contact me (srovito@aplu.org) with any questions you may have. All suggestions will be kept confidential.
The NIH issued a RFI on Including Preprints and Interim Research Products in NIH Applications and Reports on October 6, 2016. Input is sought on the use of interim research products in NIH applications and reports and the standards for reporting them. The NIH wants to know if interim research products can increase the rigor and impact of NIH-funded research and also how to ensure that interim research products arising from NIH funds can be created and used with integrity. Responses to this RFI may be submitted electronically here by November 29, 2016.
The NSF issued a bulletin on October 21, 2016 outlining changes to policies for Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Agreements for Personnel on Assignment to NSF. The NSF will pilot a required 10% cost sharing of the IPA’s academic-year salary and fringe benefits and will no longer consider lost consulting payments as a reimbursable cost element starting in FY 2017. At this time, it is unclear how long the pilot will last and if/how the NSF will compile feedback on the proposed changes. APLU will be tracking this policy change and will provide further updates.
APLU recently joined the Council on Government Relations, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and AAU in sending a letter to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requesting a one-year extension to the implementation date of the NIH Policy on the Use of a Single Institutional Review Board for Multi-Site Research. Currently, universities must comply with the policy by May 25, 2017.
The final report of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) Task Force on Biomedical Sciences was approved on September 22, 2016. The Task Force was charged with identifying new areas for research by DOE investigators that could, over time, greatly advance the pace of progress in biomedical sciences as well as new mechanisms for conducting research in coordination with scientists from government laboratories (both DOE and NIH), universities, academic medical centers, and industry.
APLU and six higher education associations submitted a letter in support of comments filed by Internet2 and EDUCAUSE in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Business Data Services proceeding. Business data services generally refers to broadband data and voice services sold to businesses. The associations’ letter recommends the FCC clarify the proposed definition of business data services and explicitly state that it does not apply to non-profit, private research and education networks.
APLU and the Association of American Universities (AAU) sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding priorities for the fiscal year 2018 budget (FY2018). Since the FY2018 budget will be submitted by a new administration, federal agencies are not required to submit a formal budget request to OMB in September as they usually do. Instead, OMB will prepare transition materials to help the incoming administration develop its budget proposals.
The APLU-AAU letter requests that OMB’s FY2018 budget materials and guidance for the next administration highlight the importance of providing robust investment in higher education and scientific research.
Stay Connected
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS
Join the Conversation