Office of the Vice President for Research
Fall/Winter 2022 E- Newsletter
Letter from the Vice President for Research
Dear Stony Brook Researchers,
With the mid-term elections behind us, many are wondering what the impact will be
from the re-adjustment in 
the balance of power in Congress, especially for the increases in federal funding called
for in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. While much of the funding is already in
place for the “CHIPS” part of this legislation, the proposed increases for research
funding were authorizations. That will require Congress to finalize spending through
separate appropriations, with little time remaining for the present Congress to act.
The magnitude of these proposed increases may now be in question, with control of
the House and Senate split between parties in the next Congress. Despite these uncertainties,
the NSF’s new TIP Directorate has already received significant funding and new RFPs
have started to appear. That affords us with some satisfaction as the scope of NSF’s
new Directorate was the focus for the first set of Tiger Teams we assembled last year. More recently, we launched eight Biomedical Tiger Teams to target upcoming funding opportunities in the biological and biomedical sciences.
They should complete their reports in mid-January and will share their findings with
the research community through Town Hall-style meetings.
I want to take this opportunity to remind you of several new policies and practices
that will impact Stony Brook investigators. On December 2, 2022, I sent a notice to NIH investigatorsreminding them of the new NIH Policy on Data Management and Sharing, which will be
effective for proposals submitted on and after January 25, 2023. The Policy outlines
new requirements for a Data Management and Sharing Plan that must be included in proposals
and will be reviewed by NIH program staff. The University Libraries, in conjunction
with DoIT and my office, have compiled resources to help investigators in preparing a plan and complying with the new Policy. Principal
investigators should allow extra time before proposal development to become familiar
with the new requirements. Investigators will already be aware that other federal
sponsors (e.g., NSF, DOE, NASA) also require a data management plan in research proposals.
We will be monitoring any changes to sponsor policies and will inform you in a timely
manner. We are currently evaluating electronic data repositories that can facilitate
storage and sharing needs for cases in which existing repositories are not suitable.
On the topic of storing research data, it is not uncommon for graduate students (and
postdocs) to save their research data on their Google Drive account. If these data
are part of a sponsored research project and no other copies are stored separately
(even if the original files are shared with the principal investigator), this practice
presents a risk when trainees eventually leave and their Google accounts become inaccessible
or are deleted. Federal sponsors require that research data be retained for at least
three years following project completion, and principal investigators are responsible
for ensuring compliance. While it is possible to transfer ownership of all research files to ensure that the PI maintains access, the recommended best
practice is to use a Google Shared Drive and request students and postdocs to exclusively use this drive to store any research
data, including electronic notes.
In October, the Procurement Office launched a program to supply investigators with
Research Foundation of SUNY Bank of America credit cards for travel expenses and for
purchases of certain research items. I strongly encourage investigators to apply for
this RF credit card if they will be traveling on sponsored research awards or need
flexibility for purchasing, including purchases through Amazon. Qualified expenses
can be assigned directly to your research grant. It’s also important to know that
the credit card will be necessary to avoid out-of-pocket travel expenses since travel
cash advances are ending. More information about this RF credit card is provided on
the Procurement webpage.
Regarding other important topics, I want all lab investigators to be on the lookout
for an announcement from Environmental Health and Safety about deployment of a new Safety Management System. This online system will provide a single software solution for all aspects of lab
safety with an easy-to-use interface. Stay tuned for more information.
I would also like to direct your attention to a section elsewhere in this Newsletter
from the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. Center staff can be available to help investigators with aspects of their proposals
relating to outreach, communications, and media.
Finally, I’d like to comment on some changes within OVPR. I’m very pleased to have
Dr. Sheri Clark now serving as Interim Director of the Office of Proposal Development.
Sheri has been an essential member of the OPD since its inception in 2016, which has
made this a seamless transition. She will be assisted in this new role by Julianna
Carbone, who is serving as the interim Assistant Director. We have recently added
new staff to OPD, which is enabling increased support for faculty. I encourage you
to reach out to OPD if you need support with proposal development. Prof. Miguel Garcia-Diaz has “hit the ground running” as the interim Associate Vice President for Research.
Not only does Miguel bring a wealth of experience as a researcher, but he is working
closely with me and with OPD to explore new approaches for growing research. Other OVPR offices are also benefiting from additional staffing, which will help to provide more timely support.
As always, I like to hear from you. Please contact me with any of your thoughts or concerns.
On behalf of all of the OVPR staff, I want to wish all of you a happy, healthy holiday
season, with lots of new grants!
Regards,
Richard Reeder
Vice President for Research
Table of Contents
- Office of Proposal Development
- Office of Sponsored Programs
- Research Security
- Office of Research Compliance
- Intellectual Property Partners
- Economic Development
- Office of Human Services
- Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science
Office of Proposal Development (OPD)
Staff Updates
- Nina Maung, Associate Vice President for Research, is currently serving in a rotator position with the NSF as a Program Director in their new Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships Directorate.
- Sheri Clark has been named Interim Director of the Office of Proposal Development during Nina’s absence.
- Julianna Carbonne has been named Interim Assistant Director of the Office of Proposal Development during Nina’s absence.
New Staff, OPD Welcomes Lindsey Peabody
Lindsey Peabody is a Proposal Development Specialist with the Office of Proposal Development. She attended Purdue University and earned her Bachelor of Science in Management. Lindsey spent 10 years working in Pre-Award at Purdue University. She started as a Pre-Award Specialist working directly with PIs during the proposal submission process, then was promoted to Pre-Award Manager leading a team of Specialists. Lindsey currently lives in Lafayette, Indiana with her husband, Kyle, and their 3 daughters: Hadley (9), Piper (7) and Scout (5). Lindsey also holds her real estate license in Indiana and enjoys managing a short-term rental beach property.
Summer 2022 Seed Grant Award Winners
We are pleased to announce that the following projects were selected for funding with an award start date of August 15, 2022.
Spring 2023 OVPR Seed Grant Program Announcement
The next cycle of the OVPR Seed Grant Program competition is now open!
What does it fund: The seed grant program aims to give Stony Brook University faculty a competitive edge in securing external research funds by supporting and fostering innovative scientific and scholarly activities that will lead to the development of proposals with a greater likelihood of success.
Applicant Requirements: We are following the Principal Investigator (PI) Eligibility Policy. Please review it carefully to determine whether you need a letter from your Department Chair. Additionally, projects must demonstrate the following:
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You may only be PI on one application and Co-PI on one application. There is a limit of four Co-PIs on any application.
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You may not apply as PI if you currently have an active OVPR Seed Grant.
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If you submitted a seed grant application in the Summer 2022 cycle and it was not selected for funding, you may revise and resubmit the application one time, in this cycle only. Resubmitted proposals must meet additional application requirements.
Award: Itemized budgets should not exceed $70,000, and typical project lengths should be 12-18 months. Proposals should provide a clear timeline to the submission of a proposal to an external sponsor within 18 months.
Deadline: Full proposals due January 10, 2023 via the Seed Grant Program Application Portal. Please note, myResearch is not required for OVPR Seed Grant applications.
Review the application details, including timeline and FAQs.
If you have questions or need further information, please email the Office of Proposal Development at opd_ovpr@stonybrook.edu.
SUNY Research Seed Grant Program
The SUNY Research Seed Grant Program is also accepting applications for funding. Please see below for key details and refer to the SUNY Research Seed Grant Program RFP for additional information.
SUNY DEADLINES: December 30, 2022; March 31, 2023; June 30, 2023
HOW TO SUBMIT: Applications require signatures of the VPR and Provost and must be submitted by the Office of Proposal Development (OPD). To apply to this program, PIs must follow the internal submission process detailed below.
- Submit the completed Cover Sheet to OPD_OVPR@stonybrook.edu at least five business days before the targeted SUNY deadline for signatures.
- Submit the Full Application (including the Cover Sheet, Narrative, Budget and Budget Justification, and Copy of the NIH/NSF Reviewer Feedback Report) to OPD_OVPR@stonybrook.edu at least two business days before the targeted SUNY deadline for final review and submission.
Here are the links to the proposal and budget templates.
Review theFAQ document with common questions asked during the first funding round.
Please note myResearch is not required for this submission. Sheila Routh (sheila.routh@stonybrook.edu) should be listed as the fiscal representative on the budget template page for all SBU applications. Any questions should be directed to OPD_OVPR@stonybrook.edu.
Workshops
Upcoming Workshops:
NIMH Biobehavioral Research Awards for Innovative New Scientists (NIMH BRAINS) Workshop
When: February 14, 2023 from 12 pm to 1 pm
Additional information coming soon. Please visit our website or look out for updates via the OPD Weekly Newsletter*.
- Session 1: February 16, 2023 from 11 am to 12 pm
- Session 2: March 9, 2023 from 11 am to 12 pm
- Session 3: March 30, 2023 from 11 am to 12 pm
Partnerships for Innovation: Research Partnerships (PFI-RP) Workshop
When: March 1, 2023 from 11am to 12pm
Past Workshop:
The NIH R-Award Workshop Series for Stony Brook Researchers
This Fall, OPD hosted a virtual workshop series designed to assist early career faculty with developing competitive NIH R-award proposals.
Please visit our SharePoint site for copies of the PowerPoint presentations.
OPD Annual Report 2021-2022
The Office of Proposal Development is excited to share our annual report for the 2021-2022 fiscal year! The report describes the comprehensive support that OPD provided to Stony Brook University researchers during the last fiscal year.
To view all annual reports, please visit our website. Reports can be found towards the bottom of the home page.
OPD Orientation Video
This orientation video describes the purpose of the office and walks viewers through the services offered to Stony Brook researchers.
Proposal Development Support for Faculty
Are you a Stony Brook University faculty member actively working on a grant proposal to an external sponsor and looking for support? The Office of Proposal Development can help! Learn more about the skilled administrative services that OPD provides and request support via our Proposal Development Support webpage.
*OPD sends out a weekly newsletter on Fridays. The newsletter includes a list of active limited competitions, noteworthy funding opportunities, upcoming workshops, and other important announcements from OPD. To receive the OPD Weekly Newsletter, please visit our website to join our Google Group.
Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
National Science Foundation (NSF) Updates
NSF: PAPPG 23-1 Issued
A revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (23-1) has been issued. PAPPG 23-1 will be effective for proposals submitted or due on or after January 30, 2023. Included in the PAPPG are the following significant changes.
- Revisions to incorporate Research.gov as the replacement for FastLane for proposal preparation and submission. The last day to submit new proposals in FastLane to NSF is January 27, 2023.
- Information about the use of Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) and the BAA Management System (BAAM).
- Revisions to the certification for Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) for proposals submitted on or after July 31, 2023, which expands the training to faculty and other senior personnel as well as requires specific training mandated by the America COMPETES Act, as amended.
- Use of Concept Outlines as a submission type and the Program Suitability and Proposal Concept Tool (ProSPCT).
- Requirement for proposers to provide a certification regarding Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus and Off-Site Research.
- Revisions to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support formats to include certifications from the individual (as required by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, Section 223) regarding information being accurate, current, and complete.
- Requirement for NSF program officers to request updated Current and Pending Support information prior to making a funding recommendation, in accordance with the NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance.
- Requirements for use of SciENcv for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support documents.
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- Note: The mandate to use SciENcv only for preparation of the biographical sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support information will go into effect for new proposals submitted or due on or after October 23, 2023. In the interim, proposers may continue to prepare and submit these documents via use of SciENcv or the NSF fillable PDFs. NSF, however, encourages the community to use SciENcv prior to the October 2023 implementation.
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- Implementation of Build America, Buy America statutes.
- New sections on Research Security and Scientific Integrity.
You are encouraged to review the Summary of Changes to the PAPPG (NSF 23-1) for a high-level summary of the changes. For any questions regarding these changes please contact your OSP Grants and Contracts Specialist and be sure to visit our NSF webpage.
Please note that while the 23-1 version of the PAPPG becomes effective on January 30, 2023, in the interim, the guidelines contained in the current PAPPG (NSF 22-1) continue to apply.
In November, NSF conducted the Fall 2022 NSF Virtual Grants Conference that provided key insights into a wide range of current issues at NSF. Visit the Resource Center to view event presentations and YouTube recordings of the sessions.
NSF: Supplemental Funding
Requests for Supplemental Funding for NSF can now be completed via Research.gov. Supplemental requests via Fastlane will be accepted until January 27, 2023; after this date only Research.gov will be able to process these requests. Additional information on this new feature can be found on Research.gov.
NSF: Fastlane Decommissioning Deadlines
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Last day to submit new proposals in Fastlane: Friday, January 27, 2023 (5:00 PM local submitter's time)
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Last day to submit proposal file updates/budget revisions in Fastlane: Friday, September 29, 2023 (5:00 PM local submitter's time)
- Last day to download Fastlane submitted proposals and print Fastlane in-progress proposal PDFs: Friday September 29, 2023 (11:00 PM Eastern). See Instructions to Access and Download/Print FastLane Proposals and Supplemental Funding Requests
NSF Award Terms and Conditions Revised
National Intitutes of Health (NIH) Updates
NIH: Forms -H Grant Appplication Forms and Instructions Now Available
NIH's NOT-OD-23-012 has been issued to inform the applicant community that Forms H Application Forms and Instructions are now available online for due dates on or after January 24, 2023. In addition, this notice provides a decision table to distinguish certain exceptions in which submission via the Forms G package is required.Implementation details for the 2023 NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy are included in this notice, with clarifying information for CDC and AHRQ Implementation of the DMS Policy.Some key updates to the Forms H Application Instructions include:
- Special instructions for applicants submitting a Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plan
- R&R Budget; Modular Budget Form instructions relating to DMS Policy/allowable costs budgeting
- PHS 398 Research Plan Form: Instructions for submitting DMS Plan using a new item "Other Plans"; update to instructions of how to use "Resource Sharing Plan" section.
- PD/PI clarification for applications involving changes between single PD/PI to or from multiple PD/PIs
Additional information on which activity codes require submission of a DMS Plan can found on their comprehensive listing.
NIH: Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy
The NIH Data Management & Sharing (DMS) Policy, effective January 25, 2023, applies to all research, funded or conducted in whole
or in part by NIH, that results in the generation of scientific data.This includes all NIH-supported research regardless of funding level, including: extramural
grants, extramural contracts, intramural research projects, and other funding agreements.
Please visit our Important Updates for detailed information.
Department of Energy (DOE) Updates
DOE: Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plan
Beginning October 2022 (FY2023), the Department of Energy began requiring the inclusion of a Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plan as an appendix to the project narrative in proposal submissions. All future FOAs will require applicants to include this in submission packages.
PIER Plans should describe the activities and strategies applicants will incorporate to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in their research project.
PIER Plans will be evaluated as a part of the merit review process; additional information, including FAQs are available online.
DOE: Login.gov Required for EERE eXCHANGE
As of October 1, eXCHANGE users will be required to use Login.gov to sign into eXCHANGE and apply to open opportunities. The registration process can be completed in a few quick steps. Go to the eXCHANGE Log-in page and select the “Sign In” button to get started.
The MFA Quick Guide includes step-by-step instructions for how to log into eXCHANGE using Multi Factor Authentication and how to register for a Login.gov account.
Grants.gov: System Enhancements and Server Mantenance Outages Calendar
The Grants.gov Program Management Office (PMO) schedules system-wide software releases to bring its users new features and fixes. During these releases, downtime will be scheduled to deploy new enhancements. See the list of the anticipated dates and important information for both system-wide software deployment and scheduled system maintenance, timing of downtime and systems affected. Note that the next maintenance outage is scheduled for January 21-23, 2023
Reorganization of the Office of Sponsored Programs
As our institution continues to hit new research milestones, the Office of Sponsored Programs remains focused on new approaches to support our dedicated faculty and researchers. With unprecedented support of the University leadership, the Office of Sponsored Programs is pleased to announce the addition of several new staff to our office, together with the process of implementing an administrative reorganization to provide optimal and enhanced administrative support to the University's growing research enterprise. With the revamping of OSP’s organizational structure, OSP has created sub-specialty clusters within each group (pre-award, post-award, contracts, account establishment) to promote domain expertise in order to improve workflow and processing time.
While OSP operates with a focus on pre-award research administration, it also serves several post-award administrative functions. The office has a strong focus on customer service, which made it important to create a reorganization involving the establishment of separate areas addressing pre-award, post-award and contract administration. The addition of new FTEs will increase the administrative support in pre-award/proposal preparation and submission, which will be a motivator for faculty to apply for more opportunities. This would in turn generate more awards and F&A earnings on an annual basis. It would also increase training opportunities for the research community as it will allow OSP the time to offer faculty/staff internal workshops on grant applications. So far, OSP has added several members to its pre-award and post-award teams, and is in the process of recruiting 2 more contract specialists, 1 account establishment coordinator, 1 more pre-award specialist and 1 grant administrator positions. Please see the Staff Updates article below to learn more about the newest additions to our team.
The pre-award team formed of 7 Grants and Contracts Specialists will provide detailed guidance on proposal submission. The pre-award team responsibilities include: review of FOAs, proposal and budget review, proposal submission (including incoming grant transfers), and pre-award negotiation.. We will expand the library of resources and tools available for faculty to assist them with successful proposal submissions, such as, sponsor checklists, budget templates by sponsor, topical workshops/videos and more!
The post-award team formed of 4 Grants and Contracts Specialists will focus on providing high quality and timely support to faculty by solving problems, answering questions, giving guidance on active awards, and also acting as AOR on all post award submissions. Duties will include: receipt and processing of grants and cooperative agreements Notice of Award, no-cost extensions, PI/Award transfer - including sign-off for relinquishing documents, carry-forward requests, RPPR preparation and submission, budget revisions, change of PI, change of scope.
Recognizing the specialized administrative, budgetary, legal, and regulatory issues associated with contractual activities, our contracts team will continue to facilitate support from proposal submission to award close out on all contracts and subawards, including negotiation, execution and modification of (sub)contracts, no cost extension or termination of contracts. The Contracts team has introduced an Outgoing Subawards/Award Specialist whose role is to expedite outgoing subawards. It has increased efficiency in OSP by adding a dedicated subject matter expert who has been able to focus entirely on this operation and eliminate institutional risks.
In the upcoming months, we will share more updates, and our website will reflect more information on whom to contact.
At all times, please don't hesitate to contact OSP's leadership for more information: Alina Azzam-Stroia, Sr. Director - alina.stroia@stonybrook.edu,
Sabrina Cerezo, Asst. Director Grants (Pre and Post Award) - sabrina.cerezo@stonybrook.edu,
Dawn Alomar, Asst. Director Contracts - dawn.alomar@stonybrook.edu,
Razeema Sahib, Asst. Director Account Establishment - razeema.sahib@stonybrook.edu.
Staff Updates
The Office of Sponsored Programs welcomes 5 new members!
Maria Tapia joined our team as a Grants and Contracts Specialist on November 14, 2022. Prior to her role at SBU, Maria served as Pre-Award Manager in the Office of Research at Purdue University Northwest. With 14+ years of research administration experience, she is excited to be a member of the team working to ensure that all proposals are competitive and compliant. Maria earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Purdue University.
Fei Lin joined our team as a Grants and Contracts Specialist on November 9, 2022. Prior to her role at SBU, she has been a senior Pre-Award specialist for the past six years after graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Washington State University. Fei is very happy to be a part of the OSP team to ensure timely and accurate Pre-Award application procedures and submissions.
Jennifer Winger re-joined our team as a Grants and Contracts Specialist on August 1, 2022 after a 16 plus year hiatus. Prior to her role at SBU, Jennifer served as a Senior Proposal Specialist at Purdue University for over 16 years and brings back with her 25 plus years of experience. She is happy to be back and excited to help grow our team!
Jessica Gretencord-Steiner joined our team as a Grants and Contracts Specialist on August 15, 2022. Prior to her role at SBU, Jessica served as a Lead Sponsored Funding Administrator in Pre-Award at Purdue University. With 13 years of research administration experience, she is excited to be a member of the team working to ensure that all proposals are competitive and all awards are compliant. Jessica earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University in Agricultural Economics.
Aixa Iglesias joined our team as a Grants and Contracts Specialist on December 1, 2022. Prior to her role at SBU, Aixa served as Financial Business Manager in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Columbia University. With 10+ years of Finance/Post award experience, she is excited to be a member of the team.
Reminders
The schedule for myResearch Grants training sessions can be found on our website. Users are encouraged to sign up and attend one of the training sessions at a convenient time in order to prepare for future submissions. Click here to register for a training session. Registrants will be contacted by an OSP Specialist prior to the training class with the Zoom meeting information.
As a reminder, all proposals submitted through the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) must be completed and provided to OSP following the 5/2 Day Proposal Submission Policy . This policy applies to all activity that is submitted to OSP for review and submission to sponsors (proposals, progress reports, letters of intent, subawards, Just-in-Time documentation, Sponsor requests for pre-award negotiation documentation, etc.) Early and frequent communication with your OSP Specialist is very important and much appreciated for all submissions. Thank you!
Please visit OSP's Webinars, Workshops, Training, Conferences webpage for the latest information regarding upcoming webinars and meetings offered by different Organizations intended to advance the administration of sponsored programs, such as NCURA, SRA, FDP, as well as Sponsoring Agencies. For those who could not attend the NSF Virtual live conference, all recorded conference sessions are posted on NSF's website and NSF's YouTube page.
Research Security
Launch of new Research Security Website!
The Research Security Program is a collaboration between many university-wide departments based on campus policies and federal regulations. A Research Security Program website has been developed to provide resources to the campus community about research security - physical security, cyber-security, disclosure, export compliance and more! Additional resources and information will be made available on the website as the federal government provides guidance and requirements for university research security programs.
Reminder to Keep your Disclosure Profile Up-to-Date
SBU's Disclosure of External Interests & Commitments Policy requires the submission of an annual disclosure as well as an update of any changes in the myResearch Conflict of Interest module. Annual disclosures were due by June 8th and changes should be reported within thirty (30) days of knowledge of the change. FAQs on the Conflict of Interest and Commitment website can assist the campus community with complying with the policy. Any questions should be sent to Susan Gasparo.
Researchers are also reminded that changes in other support, in-kind contributions and external appointments ans/or positions are required to be reported to federal sponsor in accordance with their applicable policies.
Office of Research Compliance (ORC)
Human Research Protection Program - Changes to Ancillary Review Requirement**
The Office of Research Compliance, Human Research Protection Program and the Chief HIPAA Privacy Officer would like to announce a recent change made to the requirement for ancillary review. Ancillary review by the Chief HIPAA Privacy Officer is now only required if there is a Limited Data Set necessitating a Data Use Agreement.
Limited Data Sets are Protected Health Information (PHI) that exclude 16 categories of direct identifiers and may be used or disclosed for purposes of research without obtaining either an individual’s Authorization or a waiver or alteration of an Authorization. A Limited Data Set can include city; state; zip code; elements of date; and data that is coded.
Data Use Agreements are agreements into which the covered entity (SB) enters with the intended recipient of a Limited Data Set that establishes the ways in which the information in the Limited Data Set may be used and how it will be protected.
Even if the person requesting a Limited Data Set from a covered entity is an employee or otherwise a member of the covered entity’s workforce, a Data Use Agreement must be in place between the covered entity and Limited Data Set recipient. Meaning, if you are an employee and you want to do research using patient information that could be part of a limited data set, you would need to sign a Data Use Agreement.
**(45 CFR 164.501, 164.508, 164.512(i), 164.514(e), 164.528, 164.532)
Human Research Protection Program Workshops
The Human Research Protection Program in collaboration with LINCATS has developed monthly workshops. The workshops began in May of this year and are held on the third Wednesday at noon. Topics range from using an external IRB to how to submit an amendment in myResearch IRB. The workshops also now give CME credit to participants. If you would like the Human Subjects Protection Program to consider a topic for the monthly workshops, please contact Rebecca Dahl at rebecca.dahl@stonybrook.edu.
ClinicalTrials.gov
“ClinicalTrials.gov is a web-based resource that provides patients, their family members, health care professionals, researchers and the public with easy access to information on publicly and privately support clinical studies on a wide range of disease and conditions.” You can determine if your research meets the requirement for ClinicalTrials.gov by completing the Voluntary Submission Flowchart and Triggered Trials Checklist . If your research meets the requirements for ClinicalTrials.gov, you are responsible for keeping the account up to date. Please contact the Office of Research Compliance at 631-632-6541 for more information.
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee - Change to myResearch IACUC
The Office of Research Compliance, Institutional animal Care and Use Committee would like to announce a recent change to myResearch IACUC. This change involves question #6 on the Edit Experiments smart form which reads:
"Describe the experimental variables including which procedures will be performed on which group of animals; include animal numbers and any variations to the selected procedure."
Originally the question was optional, but the IACUC needed the response to the question and asked that the question become required. When you go to the Experiments portion of the smartform, go to the name column, click on the name of the experiment and this will bring up the “experiments”
If you have a new study, you will be asked this question when you are completing your initial application in myResearch IACUC. Click “add” and question #6 will appear.
If your study is already approved, and you need to submit an amendment, you will need to respond to this question as part of that open amendment.
If your study is already approved, and you have not already answered this question, answer the question as part of your triennial review.
Changes in Topaz and myResearch IACUC
If you use Research Foundation or State funds to pay for Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) services or Animal Orders, there is a new feature in myResearch to select accounts for DLAR-related charges. This feature will feed into Topaz allowing you to select the appropriate funds (one or many).
Instructions:
1. In each of your protocols, you will need to “Create an Amendment”.
2. Justify the amendment as a “Funds Clarification” (NOT a funds change)
3. Update question 2 on the Funding page. This will allow you to select your account number(s). The information from myResearch is then fed from ERAS. If you do not have access to this account in ERAS, you will not see it here.
4. Submit the amendment in myResearch and await Administrative Approval, the account should be available in Topaz within the next 24 hours.
**If you are submitting a new study in myResearch, no amendment is needed. Just enter the information into the “Funding Sources” section of myResearch as you are completing the application.Institutional Biosafety Committee Requirement**
Institutional Biosafety Committee Requirement**
The National Institutes of Health’s Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant
or SyntheticNucleic Acid Molecules (rsNAM)and the Stony Brook University’s Institutional Biosafety Committee requirements
are applicable to all faculty, staff, students at this University andwho propose and
conduct research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, regardless of source of funding. You can find information regarding the Stony Brook University policies on rsNAM.
If you are faculty, staff, student who conduct research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules you are required to submit an application to the Institutional Biosafety Committee for review. The link to the myResearch Safety is https://research.stonybrook.edu/myResearch.php/
Intellectual Property Partners (IPP)
SBU Startup, Codagenix, begins Phase 3 Clinical Testing of its Intranasal COVID-19 Vaccine
Read the full press release: Codagenix Initiates Dosing in Phase 3 Efficacy Trial of Intranasal COVID-19 Vaccine as Part of WHO-Sponsored Solidarity Trial Vaccines
SUNY RF Ranks in the Top 100 Universities for Issued Patents
SUNY RF ranked #40 on the list at 63 patents: Stony Brook University accounted for close to half of them at 29 Issued US patents in 2021. View the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents for 2021
Intellectual Property Partners Office Hours
Intellectual Property Partners is offering office hours for Stony Brook faculty, post-docs and graduate students. Schedule your appointment every Wednesday, 1:00 – 2:30 pm, to consult with one of our licensing team members on topics ranging from intellectual property protection to commercialization of your technology innovations. Bring your questions! Read more about IPP Office Hours
Reminder: Digital Signature Requirements
Your New Technology and Reagent Disclosures are important to us! Once you submit your disclosure through the Inventor Portal, all SBU inventors will receive an email requesting their digital signature. The digital signatures of all SBU inventors are imperative to the disclosure process. Please be sure to electronically sign your disclosures when prompted by email. IPP cannot move forward in the evaluation process without all required signatures. Please email sbu_ntd@stonybrook.edu or call 631-632-9009, if you have any questions or need assistance. We are here to help!
Reminder: Research Reagent Disclosure Initiative
IPP is introducing a technology disclosure initiative specifically designed for disclosing research reagents. The goal of this initiative is to license patentable or non-patentable research reagents or methods developed here at Stony Brook University.
Research Reagents, such as antibodies, cell lines, plasmids, proteins, or any other reagents is available on the Inventor Portal.
16 Patents Issued to Stony Brook Researchers
IPP is pleased to announce 16 new U.S. patents issued to our faculty and students from June 2022 to present.Click here to view the patents!
Qunnect, a Stony Brook University spinoff, raises $8M in Series A funding, led my Airbus Ventures
Qunnect, the leader in quantum internet technologies, today announces its Series A financing of over $8M, led by Airbus Ventures, with additional participation from Quantonation, SandboxAQ, NY Ventures, Impact Science Ventures, and Motus Ventures. Spearheaded by CEO Dr. Noel Goddard and founders Dr. Mehdi Namazi and Mael Flament, Qunnect is developing quantum-secure networking technology designed for scalable deployment on existing telecom fiber infrastructure. These new funds will be used to further develop their product suite, scale manufacturing, and launch a multi-node R&D quantum network testbed to demonstrate entanglement distribution protocols. This network, connected to existing fiber optic cable in New York City, will be the first of its kind in the US. Read more about Qunnect
Via Separation License Agreement
Via Separations has entered into an Exclusive License to develop and commercialize a waste water filtration system developed by Dr. Benjamin Hsiao, Dr. Benjamin Chu, Dr. Hongyang Ma, and Zhe Wang.
The Young Academic Inventors Symposium and the panel discussion “From Bench to Boardroom: The Journey of Early Career Entrepreneurs” were held virtually in December
Intellectual Property Partners (IPP) and the Stony Brook University Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) hosted the Young Academic Inventors Symposium and the panel discussion “From Bench to Boardroom: The Journey of Early Career Entrepreneurs”. The event was held virtually on December 6th; more than 70 attendees joined the session to honor early-career inventors and to get first hand insights into the inventors’ and entrepreneurs’ career paths. Learn more about the Young Academic Inventors Symposium
IPP New staff
Intellectual Property Partners welcomes 2 new members!
Krish Patel, Technology Commercialization Assistant. Krish stepped into this role in November 2022. He originally joined the Stony Brook University family in January 2020 as an Engineering Intern where he wrote a multitude of marketing sheets for various applied science technologies, including the fields of drug delivery, chemical reactors, data structures, nanostructures, and many more. His new position includes working with the licensing team on assessment and management of portfolios of patents and technologies, seeking to maximize the value of total assets held by IPP, ultimately supporting the overall team. From market research to IPP meetings, Krish will learn how to accurately evaluate technologies with respect to commercialization.
Maria Dietrich, Licensing Agreement Compliance License administrator. Maira will be our new Licensing Agreement Compliance License administrator, working with the finance team on accounts, bookkeeping, reporting, and analysis matters in accounts receivable. While Maria is new to the Technology Transfer Industry she has been a seawolf since November 2011. While at SBU She has worked with the New York Sea Grant Department and SBU Procurement.
Economic Development
CEBP Has Been Named a Semifinalist in the DOE American-Made Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Prize Round 2
The Clean Energy Business Incubator Program at Stony Brook University (CEBIP) has been named as a semifinalist in the DOE American-Made Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Prize Round 2 for its proposed Clean Energy Technology Transfer (CETX) program. CEBIP is one of twenty incubators and accelerators that have each been awarded the $50,000 prize for their high-impact ideas that support energy start-ups and entrepreneurs. Read more about CEBP
7th Annual Hack@CEWIT: back in person in March!
The 7th annual Hack@CEWIT will be held again in-person on March 3-5, 2023 at the CEWIT building in the R&D Park at Stony Brook University following two years of virtual hacks due to COVID. More than 300 college students from across the U.S. will be taking part in a 43-hour hackathon run by the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) at Stony Brook University. Read more about Hack@CEWIT
CEWIT2022: 18th International Conference on Emerging Technologies for a Smarter World got back in person in October
The 18th International Conference on Emerging Technologies for a Smarter World (CEWIT
2022) was held in October 2022 at the New York State Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT)
at Stony Brook University. The Conference was co-hosted by the IEEE, the world’s largest
technical professional organization for the advancement of technology. Read more about CEWIT2022
Office of Human Services
HR is Here to Help with Filling Your Postdoc Positions
Want to create an On-Demand Postdoc Applicant Pool?
As your Scientific Recruiter, we can partner with you and your team to post an ongoing postdoctoral position on SBU JOBS - tailoring the qualifications and job description to your very specific needs. Simultaneously, we can conduct targeted advertising every six months — at no cost to you — referring a pipeline of applicants to the postdoctoral section of SBU JOBS, where they can view the details of your position.
Just email daniel.lodato@stonybrook.edu and let him know that you are interested.
Holiday Season
The year-end holiday season is traditionally a time when employees spend some time away from the University. Under NYS Attendance Rules, when a holiday falls on a Sunday it is observed on the following Monday, therefore, the official holiday closings are December 26th and January 2nd. In addition, departments may operate with reduced staffing from Tuesday, December 27th through Friday, December 30th. Employees must charge appropriate accruals for absences beyond the two official holidays.
Stony Brook University Hospital, Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine outpatient facilities, as well as the Long Island State Veterans Home, will maintain normal operations during the holiday period.
From your colleagues in HRS, we wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season.
The SUNY Research Foundation - A Great Place to Work
The Research Foundation of SUNY offers competitive salaries and ranks among the top five in most benefits based on a recent survey of its peer groups including active employee and post-retirement health insurance. The total value of personal benefits goes well beyond competitive salary.
Top 10 Perks:
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: The RF offers comprehensive and low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance. Employees pay up to 15% of the premium for individual coverage.
- Retirement: The RF helps you plan for retirement by contributing 7% of your earnings to the Basic Retirement plan for regular employees who meet a one-year waiting period of qualified service. You may supplement these contributions through the Optional Retirement plan.
- Retiree Health Benefits: RF employees who meet the age and service requirements are eligible to continue their RF benefits during retirement. When you transition onto Medicare, the RF provides a subsidy for eligible retirees who meet the requirements to use as a supplement.
- Professional Development: Job Skills and Supervisory Training, Leadership Master Classes, Mentoring Programs, Semi-Annual Research Symposiums, Professional Development Scholarships, 100+ archived video-based learning programs and more!
- Family Support: Up to $800 (depending on salary) toward funding of dependent care expenses, such as childcare, which is separate and in addition to the easy-to-use Flex Spending Accounts allowing employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified out-of-pocket childcare and medical expenses.
- Work-Life Balance: Generous paid leave includes personal, vacation, holidays, and sick accruals, which on an annual basis could add up to over 40 days during the first year of employment.
- Meaningful Work: The RF provides talent, services, and technology that empower SUNY to research, innovate, and transfer discoveries that transform the world’s knowledge economy. As an RF employee, you are part of a team whose vision is to make SUNY the best place for faculty, students and staff to solve the world’s most pressing problems.
- Employee Support: Free long-term disability benefits for qualified full-time employees. You can also purchase low-cost supplemental short-term disability coverage. The RF offers employer paid life insurance ($50,000) with additional optional low-cost group term life insurance.
- Education Planning: The RF is an eligible employer under the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program and offers college savings plans and a tuition waiver program.
- Discounts: Up to 10% off standard rates for personal auto, homeowner's, renter’s, and pet insurance.
Review your Mailing Address - End of Year Tax Documents
It is the time of year when year-end tax documents will soon be getting mailed to the address we have on file for you.
Please take the time now to follow the instructions below to review and update, if necessary, your personal information, including your address. This will ensure we are able to send you year-end tax documents.
STEP 1: Go to RF Self-Service to update your address with SUNY RF.
STEP 2: Go to SOLAR -> Security and Personal Data -> Addresses to ensure your address is updated in our campus system of records as well. Watch a helpful video on how to do this.
STEP 3: Be sure to also notify other applicable areas.
If you need additional guidance on updating your information, go to Change My Info.
Questions? Email rf_appointments@stonybrook.edu
Research Faculty and the TIAA Retirement Plan
The Research Foundation has a one-year vesting period for its TIAA retirement plan. Many of you are already vested and the appropriate level of contribution will be paid when you move to the Research Foundation payroll.
For faculty not yet vested, there is a one-year waiting period before contributions begin — the SUNY academic year plus the Research Foundation summer employment comprises the year. The Research Foundation may use your State service as a credit towards participation and vesting in the Research Foundation Retirement Plan. Faculty members that have prior State service may receive credit by completing the RF Prior Service Credit Form and submitting it to hrs_benefits@stonybrook.edu.
More Questions? Email hrs_benefits@stonybrook.edu.
Expiration of the Annual Leave Cap Extension
The Governor’s office previously announced an extension of the annual leave expiration date to December 31, 2022, for all unions and Management/Confidential (M/C) employees. The extension also applied to Research Foundation (RF) employees.
We have been advised that the Governor’s office has reached agreements with all of the unions to further extend this date so that all unused annual leave can now be carried through December 31, 2023. This extension also applies to M/C and RF employees.
Questions?
- Stony Brook University Hospital: 631-444-4700 or SBUHHR@stonybrookmedicine.edu
- LISVH: 631-444-8617 or LISVH_HR@stonybrook.edu
- West Campus/HSC/SOM:
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- State Employees: 631-632-6182 or hrs_timeatt@stonybrook.edu
- RF Employees: 631-632-6162 or RF_Payroll@stonybrook.edu
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Employee Wellness
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Healthier U are both designed to help improve the health and well-being of faculty and staff through emotional support services, individual and group conversations, and programs that address your whole self – mind, body and spirit. For more information, visit the Healthier U website here
Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science
Assistance with Broader Impacts
Most of you are familiar with the Alda Center for Communicating Science and their internationally known science communication training programs. But the Center and its academic home, the School of Communication and Journalism, do more than offer professional development sessions. What you may not know about the Alda Center and SoCJ is that they bring deep expertise in communication research that can help build powerful and winning federal funding proposals. Aside from their obvious ability to help with reaching audiences through stellar communication, the experts at Alda/SoCJ are researchers who can help elevate the impact and reach of STEM funding proposals by serving as interdisciplinary partners in social science research, in media and outreach, and in assessment.
In fact, Center faculty are already serving as PIs and co-PIs on several nationally funded projects, with colleagues here at Stony Brook and at other leading research institutions. By working closely with the Alda Center/SoCJ team, Stony Brook University researchers possess a unique set of assets that can make them even more competitive – especially for large center grants, interdisciplinary team-based projects, professional development/training programs, and other opportunities. The Alda/SoCJ team can also serve as a go-to partner for Broader Impacts and other engagement frameworks.
Meet some of our faculty: Dr. Christine Gilbert, Dr. Ruobing Li, Dr. Wenbo Li, Dr. Laura Lindenfeld, and Dr. Xia Zheng.
Collaboration with the Alda Center/SoCJ is likely to increase your chances of receiving funding. To learn more, I encourage you to contact Nicole Leavey, Alda Center associate director, or Laura Lindenfeld, the Center’s executive director, as you are starting to think about your next funding opportunity.
New OVPR Staff
OPD New Staff
Lindsey Peabody is a Proposal Development Specialist with the Office of Proposal Development. She attended Purdue University and earned her Bachelor of Science in Management. Lindsey spent 10 years working in Pre-Award at Purdue University. She started as a Pre-Award Specialist working directly with PIs during the proposal submission process, then was promoted to Pre-Award Manager leading a team of Specialists. Lindsey currently lives in Lafayette, Indiana with her husband, Kyle, and their 3 daughters: Hadley (9), Piper (7) and Scout (5). Lindsey also holds her real estate license in Indiana and enjoys managing a short-term rental beach property.
OSP New Staff
The Office of Sponsored Programs welcomes 5 new members!
Maria Tapia joined our team as a Grants and Contracts Specialist on November 14, 2022. Prior to her role at SBU, Maria served as Pre-Award Manager in the Office of Research at Purdue University Northwest. With 14+ years of research administration experience, she is excited to be a member of the team working to ensure that all proposals are competitive and compliant. Maria earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Purdue University.
Fei Lin joined our team as a Grants and Contracts Specialist on November 9, 2022. Prior to her role at SBU, she has been a senior Pre-Award specialist for the past six years after graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Washington State University. Fei is very happy to be a part of the OSP team to ensure timely and accurate Pre-Award application procedures and submissions.
Jennifer Winger re-joined our team as a Grants and Contracts Specialist on August 1, 2022 after a 16 plus year hiatus. Prior to her role at SBU, Jennifer served as a Senior Proposal Specialist at Purdue University for over 16 years and brings back with her 25 plus years of experience. She is happy to be back and excited to help grow our team!
Jessica Gretencord-Steiner joined our team as a Grants and Contracts Specialist on August 15, 2022. Prior to her role at SBU, Jessica served as a Lead Sponsored Funding Administrator in Pre-Award at Purdue University. With 13 years of research administration experience, she is excited to be a member of the team working to ensure that all proposals are competitive and all awards are compliant. Jessica earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University in Agricultural Economics.
Aixa Iglesias joined our team as a Grants and Contracts Specialist on December 1, 2022. Prior to her role at SBU, Aixa served as Financial Business Manager in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Columbia University. With 10+ years of Finance/Post award experience, she is excited to be a member of the team.
IPP New staff
Intellectual Property Partners welcomes 2 new members!
Krish Patel, Technology Commercialization Assistant. Krish stepped into this role in November 2022. He originally joined the Stony Brook University family in January 2020 as an Engineering Intern where he wrote a multitude of marketing sheets for various applied science technologies, including the fields of drug delivery, chemical reactors, data structures, nanostructures, and many more. His new position includes working with the licensing team on assessment and management of portfolios of patents and technologies, seeking to maximize the value of total assets held by IPP, ultimately supporting the overall team. From market research to IPP meetings, Krish will learn how to accurately evaluate technologies with respect to commercialization.
Maria Dietrich, Licensing Agreement Compliance License administrator. Maria will be our new Licensing Agreement Compliance License administrator, working with the finance team on accounts, bookkeeping, reporting, and analysis matters in accounts receivable. While Maria is new to the Technology Transfer Industry she has been a Seawolf since November 2011. While at SBU, she has worked with the New York Sea Grant Department and SBU Procurement.