ResearchHighlights Newsletter

October 2005

Welcome to ResearchHighlights, the online newsletter of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at The University of Mississippi. Archives of past issues are available here. For more information, or to submit news items or story ideas, please email the editor.

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
University of Mississippi
662.915.7482 voice
662.915.7577 fax
Quotation Corner ~
The great tragedy of Science - the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact.
FOCUS: Grants.gov ~ The New Federal Grants Submission Process

Grants.gov is a federal proposal submission system currently coming online for various federal agencies. Eventually, most federal agencies will use Grants.gov as the primary means of receiving proposals for research and sponsored projects funding.

The UM Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as Grants.gov becomes more widely used. While not difficult to use, Grants.gov differs from other proposal submission processes in several key ways. Being aware of these differences is very important to making the proposal submission process go smoothly. Don’t wait until a deadline is upon you before learning about Grants.gov!

What is Grants.gov?

  • Grants.gov is a system to simplify the grants management process.
  • Grants.gov creates a centralized, online process to find and apply for grant programs from federal grant-making agencies.
  • Grants.gov is intended to streamline the process of awarding grants to state and local governments, academia, not-for-profits and other organizations.
  • Grants.gov is one of the 24 federal cross-agency E-Government initiatives focused on improving access to services via the Internet.
  • The vision for Grants.gov is to be a simple, unified source to electronically find, apply, and manage grant opportunities.
  • DHHS is the managing partner agency for Grants.gov.

What Agencies will be Using Grants.gov?

Eventually, all federal agencies receiving proposals for funding will use Grants.gov. Right now, the Department of Energy, NOAA, HUD and the Department of Education are accepting most proposals through Grants.gov, and some are requiring Grants.gov as the only official means for submitting a funding proposal.

NSF and NIH have both opened up certain programs for optional submission via Grants.gov. NIH has also published a schedule for its planned switch-over: R21 and R03 proposals will be accepted via Grants.gov starting June 1, 2006; R01 proposals will be accepted via Grants.gov starting October 1, 2006. NSF has yet to publish a schedule for adoption of Grants.gov, but will be converting in the near future.

The Difference YOU Need to Know About

Those familiar with NIH and NSF proposals will need to familiarize themselves with the Grants.gov system for one important reason: Grants.gov will be using a different set of forms from what you’re currently used to. All scientific research applications will use a forms package called the SF 424 R&R (“R&R” stands for “research & related”). While requiring most of the same data, the SF424 R&R does have some differences from the NSF’s FastLane system and the PHS-398 forms used by NIH.

We Are Here to Assist You

In addition to working with faculty and staff one-on-one, the ORSP has recently offered workshops on Grants.gov. Our staff will be happy to present this material to your department, center or other group. To arrange a workshop or talk with ORSP staff about Grants.gov, contact our Program Development Specialists, Lesha Agnew or Mickey McLaurin.

For the Grants.gov website, visit www.grants.gov/.

Speaking of COS

Publication Types in COS Profiles
Recently the Publications section of the Community of Science Expertise Profile interface was updated to allow specification of different types of publications:

  • Books
  • Book chapters
  • Journal articles
  • Conference Proceedings
  • Other

Of course there are other types of published media out there, and more types will be added to this list. COS would like the input of users to find out which are the most important. Please take this brief survey to let the system builders know which publication types are most important to you and your colleagues.

And – these new publication types are a great reason to update your COS profile!

Don't know about Community of Science?
Check out our COS page, the newsletter article published last January, and/or the COS home page at www.cos.com.

Some Upcoming Events

Southern Demographic Association 2005 Annual Conference ~ November 3-5
The SDA 2005 Conference, held this year at Ole Miss, will include a session on Hurricane Katrina. With the unfolding tragedy driving home the difficulty of making a positive contribution, social scientists in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas have begun cooperative work to conduct research on the demographic and related effects of this catastrophe. A “work in progress” report will be given on this research in the form of a special session added to the conference program. The special session will be from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 4, at the Yerby Conference Center Auditorium. Details on the SDA 2005 conference are at www.fsu.edu/~sda/.

Sixth Annual Mississippi Conference on High Technology ~ November 8-9
The 2005 Conference on High Technology, hosted by MTA, the Mississippi Research Consortium and CIT.ms, will be held at the Jackson Marriott with a reception for sponsors and speakers on November 8 and conference sessions on November 9. The conference sessions and panels will include discussions on rebuilding Mississippi's economy in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, homeland security, technology law and finance, entrepreneurship and business development, the Mississippi Research Consortium, "The Next Big Thing" and a venture capital forum. Individual tickets are $35 and include admission on November 9 to the general session, all breakout panels, the luncheon with former Pepsi and Apple Computer CEO John Sculley and the venture capital afternoon session. For more information or to register, visit www.technologyalliance.ms.

UM Faculty Research Program Annual Fellows Poster Symposium ~ November 11
This year's Faculty Research Program Poster Symposium will be held in the Yerby Auditorium from 12:00-1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 11.  A poster symposium is an informal way to expose interested attendees to numerous projects in a short time frame with the opportunity to interact one-on-one with the researchers and creators of the work.  The annual FRP Poster Symposium honors the current Faculty Research Program Fellows and shares their work with the University and the community.

2005 Fall National SBIR/STTR Conference ~ November 14-17
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide more than $2 billion each year to small businesses, helping entrepreneurs take their ideas from the laboratory to market. The SBIR and STTR programs fund projects at the earliest stages of development and allow firms who have not yet attracted funding through venture capital or other alternative financing to succeed in commercialization. The 2005 Fall National SBIR/STTR Conference in Albany, NY, will provide an opportunity for small businesses from across the country to learn about these programs, teach them how to apply, and explain what it takes to win part of the $2+ billion. Eleven federal agencies participate in SBIR/STTR programs. Visit the conference website for the complete agenda: www.SBIRworld.com/Albany.

2005 Fuel Cell Seminar ~ November 14-18
Over 2,200 participants representing over 36 different countries attend the annual Fuel Cell Seminar, presented this year in Palm Springs, California. Participants include technical leaders, scientists, educators, researchers, developers, investors, students and manufacturers of fuel cell products. The simultaneous technical sessions discuss progress in four main areas -- utility, residential, vehicle and portable -- and also challenges in costs, fuels, storage, reliability, lifetime and adoptability. An award is offered to recognize students (graduate or undergraduate) in the field of fuel cell related technologies and includes a medal, a cash award, and a complimentary registration to the seminar to present a poster presentation. More information is available at www.fuelcellseminar.com/student_award.asp.

Gerontological Society of America ~ November 18-22
The meeting is organized to foster interdisciplinary interactions among gerontological health care clinical, administrative, and research professionals. In addition to the core scientific sessions, pre-conference workshop and poster sessions will be presented which will encourage and stimulate diverse viewpoints in geriatric health, research, and economics. The program to this meeting is primarily organized around the four sections of the Society: Biological Sciences; Clinical Medicine; Behavioral and Social Sciences; and Social Research, Policy and Practice. www.eshow2000.com/geron/about_the_meeting.cfm

International Joint Conferences on Computer, Information, and Systems Sciences and Engineering ~ December 10-20
CISSE 05 provides a virtual forum for presentation and discussion of the state-of the-art research on computers, information and systems sciences and engineering. The virtual conference will be conducted through the Internet using web-conferencing tools, made available by the conference. Authors will be presenting their PowerPoint, audio or video presentations using web-conferencing tools without the need for travel. Conference sessions will be broadcast to all the conference participants, where session participants can interact with the presenter during the presentation and (or) during the Q&A slot that follows the presentation. This international conference will be held entirely on-line. The accepted and presented papers will be made available after the conference both on a CD and as a book publication. www.cisse2005.org

National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance Annual Meeting ~ March 23-25
The NCIIA fosters invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship in higher education to create innovative, commercially viable, and socially beneficial businesses and employment opportunities in the U.S. The program was founded on the premise that invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship are essential components of the higher education curriculum, and vital to the nation's economic future. In March the NCIAA will celebrate 10 years of innovative education at U.S. colleges and universities at its three-day annual meeting. www.nciia.org [See NCIIA funding opportunities in listings below.]

Reinventing Mississippi: The Role of Nonprofits and Volunteers ~ April 19-21, 2006
Original manuscripts that address issues pertaining to the importance of volunteerism with an emphasis on social, cultural, political, historical and economic dimensions of volunteering will be considered for publication in an anthology and/or presentation at this conference, to be held in Jackson. Empirical and conceptual/theoretical papers written with practitioners, community groups or individuals from an array of disciplines are strongly encouraged. Sponsored by the Mississippi Volunteer Service Commission in conjunction with the Jackson State University Department of History and Philosophy. Abstracts of no more than two pages, double spaced, or queries, may be submitted by January 15, 2006, to Dr. Elizabeth Overman.

A Few Program Announcements and Deadlines

National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation ~ UM Internal Deadline November 14
The MRI Program assists in the acquisition or development of major research instrumentation by U.S. institutions that is, in general, too costly for support through other NSF programs. The maintenance and technical support associated with these instruments is also supported. Proposals may be for a single instrument, a large system of instruments, or multiple instruments that share a common or specific research focus. Each institution is limited to three proposals, of which one must be solely for instrumentation development. Pre-proposals from interested UM faculty will be reviewed and screened by a university committee to determine the candidates to be submitted by the University to NSF at the January 26 final deadline. For a detailed timeline of the internal selection process, see the UM MRI page. The NSF program announcement is at www.nsf.gov/pubs/2005/nsf05515/nsf05515.htm.

American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine RFP on Housing Guidelines ~ Deadline November 15
With this Special RFP, the ACLAM Foundation is seeking to fund studies investigating size and density requirements for rodent housing (primary enclosures). The goal is to generate new information relevant to best practices and/or scientific validity with regard to standards of rodent housing. This knowledge could aid governmental regulatory bodies in establishing standards that benefit both the research animals and the biomedical community. The applications should evaluate the effect of cage space on animal behavior and physiology. Applications must identify a methodical, step-wise approach to the study. The effects of environmental enrichment on cage space may be included in the design. Findings must be interpreted within the context of the study parameters to limit potential misinterpretation of findings. Statistically significant effects must be interpreted with respect to likely biological significance. www.aclam.org

Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology ~ Pre-Proposal Deadline November 21
CICEET invites preliminary proposals to its Environmental Technology Development Program for funding in 2006-2007. Through this program, CICEET makes strategic investments in the development and application of technology to monitor, manage, and prevent the contamination and degradation of coastal and estuarine waters and habitats in the United States. A partnership of the University of New Hampshire and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), CICEET develops tools for clean water and healthy coasts nationwide. Information about this RFP is available online at ciceet.unh.edu.

National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance Request for Proposals ~ Deadlines December 2 and May 5
Twice yearly the NCIIA awards grants to support and strengthen invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship through curricular development and the work of E-Teams. Traditional categories are Course and Program Grants and Advanced E-Team Grants; NCIIA will introduce a new grant category, Sustainable Vision Grants, in May 2006. Other types of grants are also available on a case-by-case basis. www.nciia.org

Animal Welfare Institute Call for Refinement Proposals ~ Deadline January 27
The Animal Welfare Institute is offering up to eight $6,000 Refinement Awards to North American residents. Studies aimed at the refinement of the housing and handling conditions of animals assigned to research or education will be considered for funding. Applications should be in the form of a letter (max. three pages) that elaborates how the study is likely to enhance animal welfare, and outlines in detail the methodology that will be applied to achieve this objective. For more details about how to apply, contact Viktor Reinhardt.

Dirksen Congressional Center Congressional Research Awards ~ Deadline February 1
The Dirksen Congressional Center invites applications for grants to fund research on congressional leadership and the U.S. Congress. Topics could include external factors shaping the exercise of congressional leadership, institutional conditions affecting it, resources and techniques used by leaders, or the prospects for change or continuity in the patterns of leadership. In addition, the center invites proposals about congressional procedures, such as committee operation or mechanisms for institutional change, and Congress and the electoral process. The center also encourages proposals that link Congress and congressional leadership with the creation, implementation, and oversight of public policy. Proposals must demonstrate that Congress, not the specific policy, is the central research interest. www.dirksencenter.org/grantcongresearchaward.htm

National Science Foundation Innovation and Organizational Change ~ Deadline February 2
The Innovation and Organizational Change (IOC) program seeks to create and apply fundamental new knowledge with the aim of improving the effectiveness of the design, administration, and management of organizations, including industrial, educational, service, government, nonprofit, and voluntary organizations. Additionally, the program seeks a better understanding of how teamwork, coordination, and institutional arrangements contribute to innovation. The program encourages dissemination of knowledge gained from research to organizations and institutions that can implement reforms based on what has been learned. The NSF encourages proposals for collaboration with international researchers, for-profit corporations, and national laboratories. www.nsf.gov/pubs/2005/nsf05628/nsf05628.htm

Find MORE on the ORSP Funding Opportunities Recent Announcements page

SEARCH for Funding Opportunities using Community of Science

Bits & Pieces

NEW RULES ~ Changes You Need to Know
As of September 14, 2005, the private vehicle mileage reimbursement rate increased from $.405 to $.485 per mile. See UM Policy Index, Private Vehicle - Travel.

SBIR/STTR Support for R&D
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs now represent over $2 billion available annually for small businesses to carry out R&D projects in support of 11 various federal agencies' mission needs while also encouraging the commercialization in the private sector of the technologies, products, or services developed under the projects and in turn stimulating the U.S. economy. For information on the federal SBIR and STTR programs visit www.sbirworld.com. For a complete list of SBIR/STTR solicitations, visit www.zyn.com/sbir/scomp.htm.

ONLINE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Help ORSP identify workshop topics for 2005-2006

 

ORSP News

Division of Research
§ Faculty Research Program ~ A total of 78 proposals were received from UM faculty at the October 3 deadline for the 2005-2006 Faculty Research Program competition. Committee reviews and recommendations will take place over the next few weeks and grant awards will be announced in early December. The annual FRP Fellows Poster Symposium, showcasing the work of the current Faculty Research Program Fellows, will take place on November 11 in the Yerby Auditorium (see note above) ~ watch for more information in advance of this event.
§ NSF Major Research Instrumentation ~ The Research Division will be conducting the internal proposal process for the National Science Foundation's annual Major Research Instrumentation Program funding. UM internal proposals will be screened by a university committee (representatives from ORSP and from the units submitting proposals) to select the candidates the University will submit to NSF. Please see the announcement above and the UM MRI page.
§ September Activity ~ Proposal Development Specialists Lesha Agnew and Mickey McLaurin processed 37 external funding proposals during September 2005. For a complete listing, see the Monthly Report page.

Division of Research Integrity and Compliance
§ IRB Change in Requirement ~ If you conduct research in schools, mental health centers, or other institutions, please note that completion of the lengthy Single Project Assurance Form by you and each institution is no longer required.  Instead, you should simply submit a letter acknowledging support and access from an authorized representative of each institution (e.g., principal, superintendent, center director, etc.).
§
IRB Training ~ The Division of Research Integrity and Compliance would like to remind researchers that online human subjects training must be completed before IRB applications will be processed.  This requirement applies to advisors of students conducting research as well. For complete information and instructions, go to www.olemiss.edu../../../compliance/human/human_CITI_readfirst.html.
§ IACUC Meeting Schedule ~ Please check the IACUC Meeting Schedule page for dates of upcoming meetings.
§ Recent Animal Research Web Postings ~
Emergency Phone Contacts: Principal investigators should post these in animal care and use labs.
• UM Laboratory Animal Care and Use Manual (IACUC Manual) [Word document available from this page]: Includes: (1) information on the purpose and role of the IACUC); (2) guidelines for utilization of animals for research, including suggestions for reducing pain and distress; (3) The University of Mississippi Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Protocol for Animal Use; and (4) the Occupational Health Program policy for people whose duties require significant contact with animals.
§ Animal Research Forms ~ The Protocol Annual Update and Appendix VII – Novel Compounds forms have been revised. Principal investigators using an older version of either form will be asked to resubmit their information using these versions. Animal research forms are revised from time to time. Principal investigators are encouraged to check the Compliance Forms page before completing and submitting related forms.

Division of Sponsored Programs Administration
§ Annual Report ~ The SPA Division has completed the Annual Report of Research and Sponsored Program Activity on the Oxford campus for the fiscal year 2004-2005. This report includes an accounting of proposals submitted and awards received by division, department, or institute, and will be distributed via hard copy to deans, department heads, and directors within the coming month.
§ Needs Assessment ~ The SPA Division is conducting an online needs assessment to help the ORSP determine what workshop topics to cover this year. Please help us by completing our short questionnaire, found at http://praetor.gs.olemiss.edu/wsna/wsna_form.php.
§ September Activity ~ SPA Division staff (Scottie Casey, Euphiazene Gray, Anita Randle, Linda Stone) processed 35 external funding awards during September 2005. For a complete listing, see the Monthly Report page.

Division of Technology Management
The Oxford Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation is sponsoring a Technology Council.  The purpose of the council is to provide a forum for discussion for those working in technical fields at regional companies, universities and government agencies.  The Council will have a monthly meeting on a Tuesday or Thursday evening.  A speaker from a technical field will give  a presentation at each meeting.  Please let Walt Chambliss know if you would like to make a presentation.  Please let Christy Knapp at the EDF know if you would like to be added to the email distribution list in order to receive meeting notices. 

For complete information about the ORSP — mission, structure, services, responsibilities, and more — visit the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs page

Congratulations from the VCRSP

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs oversees funding for research, service,
education projects. These activities complement the fundamental aspects of The University of Mississippi’s mission and are among its most tangible contributions to the future. Funding for these activities is one of the best measures of a university’s success in engaging with national and international communities.

All of us who have sought funding to test our ideas know that it is difficult and that the communities to which we belong are highly competitive. That spirit of competition is critical and it contributes more than a little to the relief and excitement a researcher feels on receiving a funding award.

Listed below are our colleagues who have been notified of external funding awards in the last calendar month. Please join me in congratulating them. The news of their discoveries and the importance of their contributions are part of all of our futures and the future of Ole Miss.

Alice M. Clark Signature

Alice M. Clark, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Research and Sponsored Programs

PI Name PI Department/Unit Co-PI Name/s
Angle, T. Office of Outreach and Continuing Education Thigpen, S.
Avery, M. Medicinal Chemistry  
Bass, H. National Center for Physical Acoustics Seiner, J.
Anderson, J.
Bass, H. National Center for Physical Acoustics Seiner, J.
Boyd, C. Social Work  
Chambers, J. National Center for Physical Acoustics  
Cheng, A. Civil Engineering  
Cremaldi, L. Physics and Astronomy  
Dostrow, V. Pharmacy Practice Crabtree, B.
Elsherbeni, A. Electrical Engineering  
Gabrynowicz, J. National Remote Sensing and Space Law Center  
Hargrove, D. Psychology  
Highsmith, R. National Institute of Undersea Science Technology Slattery, M.
Buchannon, R.
Jacob, M. National Center for Natural Products Research  
Khan, I. National Center for Natural Products Research  
Kishk, A. Electrical Engineering  
Metcalf, M. Modern Languages Dyer, D.
Moore, R. Office of Outreach and Continuing Education  
Parsons, G. Biology  
Reidy, J. Physics and Astronomy  
Seiner, J. National Center for Physical Acoustics  
Starr, J. Biology Goulet, T.
Summers, D. Physics and Astronomy  
Sumrall, W. Curriculum and Instruction  
Walker, L. National Center for Natural Products Research Khan, I.
Williamson, J. Medicinal Chemistry Haasch, M.
Williford, C. Chemical Engineering  
Woolsey, R. Mississippi Mineral Resources Institute McGee, T.
Zjawiony, J. Pharmacognosy  

September Proposals Submitted: 37

September Awards Received: 35 totalling $14,747,755

FY06 Awards Total (July 1-September 30, 2005): $26,728,064

Copyright ©1999-2005 The University of Mississippi. All rights reserved.
Please send comments and suggestions to ORSP web page manager.
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