Research and Graduate Studies (RGS) Understanding the World of Research and Scholarship At the University of Delaware

RGS Mission To provide leadership and support for UD faculty, staff, and students in the pursuit of excellence in research, graduate education, and scholarship.

Goals for Research To foster quality research and scholarship To encourage inquiry into new and emerging fields To advocate for research needs and resources To provide effective support and tools required to pursue opportunities To ensure compliance with all policies and procedures To market faculty talent and university capabilities To translate UD created inventions and technologies into commercially marketable products

Goals for Graduate Studies Encourage a rich learning environment that attracts and retains graduate students Ensure consistent standards and procedures across the University for graduate programs administration Exercise wise stewardship of internal and external funds for the support of graduate students Work to increase representation and support for minority and women students Facilitate and support interdisciplinary endeavors

RGS Organizational Chart Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies Carolyn Thoroughgood Asst. Provost for Research Mgt. & Ops. Christine Cook Assoc. Provost for Research Richard Holsten (Ret.) Assistant Provost For Graduate Studies Mary Martin

UD RGS Organization: Assistant Provost for Research Management and Operations Sponsored program administration— Pre-award processing, contract negotiation, award set-up, award management, subcontract management Sponsored research accounting— Billing, audits, report creation, effort certification, cost sharing funds Grants system administration— Web development, file server and back-up configuration, desktop support, PS functional support Funding opportunities— UDRF, GUR, and Limited proposal submission support

RGS Organization: Associate Provost for Research Intellectual Property Patents/copyrights, inter-institutional agreements, UDTC support Technology Transfer Licenses/contracts, other agreements Research Integrity/Compliance Responsible research conduct, human subjects, animal care, conflict of interest, radiation, chemical, and biological safety Proposal/technical writing support Center development, contractual guidance, research marketing support

RGS Organization: Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies Enforce Academic Policies for Graduate Programs Monitor Attendance, Registration and Enrollment Policies for Graduate Students Review Graduate Students for Academic Standing, Probation, and Dismissal Audit Degrees for all Graduate Programs including the processing of theses and dissertations for publication Manage Admission Procedures and Processing Administer Merit-based Financial awards—assistantships and fellowships Report and Analyze Graduate Student Demographics, Profiles, and Academic Progress Manage Foreign Student Visa Status through SEVIS

RGS Facts: Graduate Students 5000 applications in ,177 new graduate students in 2007—4% increase from new doctoral students; 772 new master’s students; & 86 master’s in outreach programs 858 U.S. students and 319 new international students from 54 different countries 232 doctoral degrees awarded in 2006; 690 master’s degrees awarded 3473 graduate students enrolled in Fall 2007 More than 10% minority students and nearly 25% international students enrolled in Fall 2007 Approximately 1, 950 full-time financially supported students in Fall % students full time and 26% are part time students in Fall 2007

RGS Facts: Sponsored Activity FY 2006 FY2007 Proposals submitted Amount awarded 72.2M 90.9M Research expenditures $ 148.8M 156.1M

RGS Facts: IP FY 2006 FY2007 #Invention Disclosures # Provisional Applications filed # Utility Applications filed27 31 # Patents Issued 6 1 # Licenses signed 2 11 Over the last 5 years:  Income to UD from IP = $2+ M, plus additional research support to UD directly tied to IP = $1.4M

What federal agencies fund research at UD?

Types of Agreements Contracts –Fixed Price –Cost Reimbursement –Government’s Role—Purchaser Grant –Government’s Role—Supporter Cooperative Agreement –Government’s Role—Partner

Who is eligible to Serve as PI? Individuals holding permanent tenure-track faculty rank -- or – Research scientist/project director or those recommended by Dean and approved by Vice Provost for Research

Proposal Writing: Helpful Resources… Funding Searches: Start with The Community of Science database: Find: Funding→ Funding Opportunities→ [Simple Search/Main Search/Search by Sponsor/Keyword] Daily Federal Register: access through the Government Printing Office CRIS: USDA database Commerce Business Daily: can access through COS UM Proposal Writer’s Guide: Plus many books

Grant Writing: A Low Probability Game!! Proposal success rates average 20 to 33 percent More than half are rejected on first reading because: --Applicant did not follow directions --Proposal did not match program

Step-by-Step Proposal Prep at UD Step 1: Locate a potential sponsor –Is the grant program limited term –Is cost sharing required Step 2: Develop the proposal –Avoid common pitfalls –Seek help from mentors Step 3: Contact the departmental financial office and RGS –Budget preparation –Execution of required forms and signatures –Compliance with sponsor and university requirements affecting research RGS submits the proposal –Contractual negotiations and award execution

Proposal Submission Deadlines –Must be to RGS 72 hours –Most agency deadlines are final –Overnight delivery may work ??? Need to check Electronic Submission –Contact department and RGS administrators early –Doesn’t always work the first time Tracking –Follow until proposal has been funded, declined, or withdrawn

Unacceptable Contract Terms and Conditions Agreements cannot be subject to the laws of other states or not comply with UD policies and procedures. UD must preserve the right to publish results of research done by faculty and students; UD does not undertake classified research. UD holds title to IP that results from research carried out by UD faculty and students.

UD Keeps Promises: Award = Legally Binding Agreement Fulfill all requirements set by sponsor Meet schedule and due dates for reports Comply with restrictions placed by sponsor NOTE: PI is responsible for all fiscal and technical aspects of project!! Sponsors have withheld funds awaiting reports called for in their awards!! No cost extensions mean delay in future funding!!

Major Compliance Issues Professional ethics and responsible research conduct: research integrity, conflict of interest, human subjects, animal care, radiation, chemical, and biological safety A-110 Administrative Requirements A-21 Cost Principles Cost Accounting Cost Sharing Effort Reporting

What are the Risks? Individual debarment from future funds Retraction of publications Loss of respect for the individual and UD Fines— –University of Minnesota paid $32 M to NIH for a “pervasive environment of non-compliance” –Northwestern University paid $5.5 M for effort reporting lapses –South Florida paid $4.1 M for unallowable charges and incomplete effort reporting

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