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Policy regarding participation in malign foreign talent recruitment programs
 International engagement is a foundational element of successful research and creative practice, and so U-M is committed to supporting and safeguarding this important activity with integrity, transparency and trust.
In the coming months, federal research funding agencies will require that researchers serving as senior/key personnel certify at proposal, and annually for the duration of the award, that they are not party to a “malign” foreign talent recruitment program.
U-M researchers are required to comply with all sponsor policies regarding disclosure of participation in foreign talent recruitment programs. Learn more about this policy and the definitions and characteristics of a “malign” program on the research website.
The OVPR Research Security Team ( InternationalResearchGuidance@umich.edu) is available to the U-M community for questions about this policy and how to best support international research activities.
This topic will also be a feature at the February 27 Research Administrators' Network (RAN) meeting. Find registration information below in the Professional Development & Events section. |
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Research faculty & staff awards
OVPR has established 11 research staff awards to recognize staff excellence across a wide range of fields – from technicians, administrators, study coordinators and staff support to facility and core services, leadership, and data management and analysis.
Nominate a deserving staff colleague by February 28.
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U-M receives continued full AAALAC accreditation
U -M recently received continued full accreditation from AAALAC International. In the notification letter, the AAALAC Council recognized the animal care staff and laboratory members for the tremendous levels of pride, dedication, and commitment to compassionate animal care that were displayed.
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SPONSOR UPDATES
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
New DHHS salary cap
 The new Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Salary Cap is $221,900, a $9,800 increase, effective January 1, 2024. See NOT-OD-24-057.
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NIH webinar on grants policy updates
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NIH strengthens its enforcement of closeout requirements
NIH is committed to reducing grant closeout delays and will be strictly enforcing its closeout policies (NOT-OD-24-055). NIH will initiate unilateral closeout if a recipient does not provide timely, accurate closeout reports within 120 days of the project end date, which include:
- Final Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs)
- Final Invention Statements
- Final Financial Reports (FFRs)
Refer to NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 8.6 for closeout requirements.
As a reminder for the U-M research community:
- Delinquent reports put U-M at risk for corrective actions, including withholding of funds.
- ORSP will escalate non-compliant projects to dean-level research administrators for action.
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NIH updates guidance on resubmission application markups
 Effective May 25, 2024, the use of markups should not be used to identify changes in Resubmission applications, but outlined in the Introduction attachment.
See. NOT-OD-24-061. |
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New NIH single audit award term included on NoAs
 A December 2023 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Report found issues with NIH single audit findings.
NIH concurred with OIG’s recommendations, and as a result, NIH is now including the following single audit term in Notices of Award (NoAs).
Informational Term – Ongoing review of findings in prior single audit report(s): NIH is conducting a retrospective review of the Regents of the University of Michigan’s most recent single audit report based on our identification of findings reported in prior single audits. Based on the outcome of this retrospective review, NIH may unilaterally take administrative action to safeguard NIH funds in accordance with the NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 8.5.1 “Specific or Special Award Conditions- Modification of the Terms of Award.”
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NIH's eRA Commons will have improved visual appearance
 The eRA Commons modules and screens are moving to an improved visual appearance, which is being adopted by all eRA modules. New screens will be rolled out over the next few months into spring, including the Status screen for principal investigators, Personal Profile, and more. Visit this video or this navigation update to learn more. |
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National Science Foundation (NSF)
Updates to the NSF PAPPG (24-1)
The NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide 24-1 (PAPPG 24-1) is available now.
The NSF PAPPG 24-1 will take effect May 20, 2024.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & EVENTS
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RAN Meeting - Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 10 a.m.
Please register for the February 2024 Research Administrators' Network (RAN) meeting.
Our Guest Emcees
Heather Kraus, MBA, CRA
Heather serves as the Director of Research Administration at the College of Literature, Sciences, and Arts (LSA). She has served as the Midwest Section President to the Society for Research Administrators International (SRAI), and is currently co-chair for the upcoming SRAI Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.
Anne Thomson, JD, CRA
Anne is the Director of Research and Compliance in LSA, as well as the Chair of the Research Administration Advisory Council (RAAC) Process Subcommittee.
Featured Presentations
Anne Thomson will share initiatives about the RAAC Process Subcommittee.
We will also have presentations related to the new malign foreign government talent recruitment program policy as well as data use agreements, along with regular updates from ORSP, Sponsored Programs, and the RAAC.
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Navigate Updates
Spri ng 2024 Instructor-Led Courses
There is still time to apply for the following Spring 2024 courses to be offered virtually via Zoom. Click the links below for information about each course and how to apply:
On-Demand Learning & Resources Available Year-Round
For questions about Navigate training, contact navigate-research@umich.edu.
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aiM Higher
Spri ng 2024 CRA Study Group
Prepare for the spring 2024 CRA exam.
 Registration for the Spring 2024 aiM Higher CRA study group is open and is due February 29, 2024. Visit the aiM Higher CRA study group page for more information. The study sessions will meet on Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., from March 1 to May 10, 2024.
For questions, contact aimhigher@umich.edu.
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NCURA and SRAI Conferences
 NCURA Region IV
Julie Olivero, Chair of NCURA Region IV
The NCURA Region IV meeting will be held in Ann Arbor at the Kensington Hotel, April 28 to May 1. Registration for the meeting is now open. NCURA members who register by March 18, 2024, will receive an early bird rate of $425. The non-member rate is $475. Half-day workshops are $100 and full-day workshops are $175.
The keynote for the Spring Meeting will be Dr. LeShawndra Price from the National Institutes of Health. There will be more information on the meeting announced soon but for now the meeting organizers have provide a working program for the event.
Please contact jolivero@umich.edu with questions.
Ahead of the Meeting on Saturday, April 27, the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) will hold an in person Body of Knowledge review session for the CRA exam from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. If you're interested in pursuing a CRA®, CPRA®, or CFRA® certification, this session is a must. To register for this session on-site in Ann Arbor, please visit https://www.cra-cert.org/review-sessions.
 SRAI Update
Melissa Karby, Midwest Section President
We are hoping for a strong Midwestern presence at the Western/Midwest Section Conference in Palm Springs, CA, this April 2 to 5, 2024.
Other upcoming conferences:
The Midwest Section is currently holding an election for President-elect and Treasurer. SRAI Midwest members will receive a ballot emailed to them.
We also have an open position for secretary that we will be holding a special election for at the April conference. If anyone would like more information about the secretary position, please reach out to mkarby@umich.edu. |
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21 Questions with Kate Daie
Interviewed by Jim Jarvis
About Kate: Research Administrator with 10 years of experience working with faculty to support their research goals.
Interviewer: Jim Jarvis, Research Administration Manager, Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine
What is your role in research?
A: I am the Research Administrator Lead for Epidemiology (EPID) in the School of Public Health working with a team of pre and post award research administrators. I recently started at U-M and am excited to start this new chapter in my career.
You really should watch …
A: Ted Lasso.
What energizes you at work?
A: Solving a problem whether my own or making someone else’s load lighter and getting a resolution or steps toward one.
For more Q&A with Kate Daie from the RAAC Communications Subcommittee, visit this page on RA Forum on Slack. If you're not a member and would like to be, contact us at ra-forum-help@umich.edu.
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NIH held a 