|
Dear Colleagues,
In this issue, we’re proud to celebrate the many honors and awards earned by our outstanding faculty. Join us in congratulating these individuals, along with our newest career development awardees. We also provide updates as issues related to federal funding for research continue to evolve. These changes adversely impact all of us, and disproportionately affect research faculty, staff, and learners working in several important areas. We are impressed that the volume of funding applications from the DOM has increased this year and greatly appreciate your efforts to continue the important research that you do.
| | Federal Funding and Policy Updates from the Associate Chairs for Research | | |
Notice of Awards (NOAs): As of May 6, based on the communication from the Office of Research, UCSF will resume accepting NIH/HHS NOAs under the revised grants policy statement. There is no additional action needed by researchers to resume receiving award funds.
Foreign subcontracts: NIH Notice NOT-OD-25-104 (issued May 1) announces plans to change how proposals with foreign subcontracts are funded. The new system is not yet in place, but is expected to be announced by the end of September. We recognize how difficult this is for those who have active proposals with foreign subcontracts or have applications under review due in the near future. These investigators should contact their NIH program officers to discuss options. In addition to PIs of affected grants or proposals, all investigators supported by any award or subaward related to a UCSF or non-UCSF NIH grant with a foreign subaward should contact the PI to determine whether this new policy will affect their funding. In some situations, funding has already been interrupted, and it is essential that investigators who are or may be affected notify their division leadership immediately about at-risk awards. Researchers who receive partial salary support through a subcontract from a primary grant—where they are not the PI, whether within or outside our institution—that includes a foreign subcontract currently on hold, should plan for potential funding gaps starting as early as May 1, 2025. Likewise, PIs should notify all investigators on their awards about any funding stoppages or subcontract delays.
- For awards issued prior to May 1, our understanding is that subawards will remain active for the current funding year.
-
For continuation awards after May 1, awards will not be issued with foreign subcontracts; however, principal investigators can negotiate a modification of the award with the NIH, if the project remains viable without a foreign subcontract—either because all work can be completed in the U.S. or critical objectives can still be met without the work that was planned for the foreign component. These conversations typically involve the NIH Program Officer for the grant and may also include NIH GMS officers. It is not yet clear whether the new system that will be announced by September 30 will provide an opportunity to reactivate foreign subcontracts or whether an entirely new application for funding of a parent award and a linked foreign award will be required.
- Those who have been preparing to submit proposals for submission this spring or early summer will likely wish to proceed as planned using the usual format, while making sure the foreign justification is strong and in line with the updated guidance. As additional information emerges over the coming months, modifications or resubmissions will likely be required.
- Those who plan submissions later this year should have further guidance by the end of September.
No-Cost Extensions (NCEs): Previously, many NCE requests did not require prior NIH authorization. NIH Notice NOT-OD-25-110 (issued May 7) announces that the NIH has temporarily revoked this opportunity and disabled the No-Cost Extensions functionality in eRA Commons. OSR has asked PIs and RFAs to let them know 60-90 days before a grant is ending that an NCE is required.
Requests must now include:
- Detailed budget
- Budget justification
- Justification for the extension/scientific rationale
- Brief progress reports
- Updated IRB/IACUC certifications
At this time, we are unsure how long it will take NIH to review these NCE requests, but the most important thing to remember is that the requests should be submitted at least 30 days before the grant's end date. Central DOM administration has contacted the RFAs for all NIH grants ending between 5/31/25-7/31/25 to be sure they are aware of the deadlines and process. There is a risk that these NCE requests will be denied with a resulting loss of funds, and we suggest that PIs avoid NCE requests if possible.
CDC awards: The CDC has begun requiring justification for drawdown requests from the Payment Management System. At this time, we are unsure of the best approach or of the impact of getting drawdown requests fulfilled. PIs who need assistance can contact Jon Rueter for UCSF Health and SFVAHCS, and Raeni Miller for ZSFG.
| Early-Career Investigator Forums: Groups of Assistant Professors at UCSF Health, SFVAHCS, and ZSFG met recently to discuss research challenges and opportunities. Thanks to Alan Baik, Jessica Briggs, Sanket Dhruva, Anita Hargrave, Karly Murphy, and Kelly Wentworth for organizing these meetings and continuing their efforts toward community building and strengthening communication between early career faculty and leadership. | From left to right: Alan Baik, MD (UCSF Health); Jessica Briggs, MD, MA (ZSFG); Sanket Dhruva, MD, MHS (SFVAHCS); Anita Hargave, MD (ZSFG); Karly Murphy, MD, MHS, MSc (UCSF Health); and Kelly Wentworth, MD (SFVAHCS). | |
Available resources:
-
If you receive any grant-related communications from the NIH or any other federal agency, please contact CGAwardTeam@ucsf.edu
-
If you have general questions about your research or wish to share any information with the Office of Research, please email Research@ucsf.edu.
-
For updated information about the numbers of terminated awards and delayed continuation awards, and current guidance to the UCSF research community, please visit the Office of Research website.
-
Immigration policy changes may have implications for UCSF international students, scholars, and employees. Please see the ISSO’s website for details.
As we navigate these challenges together, we deeply appreciate your dedication to science and research. Your work is invaluable, and we remain confident that we will continue to advance our mission through collaboration and advocacy.
Best,
Diane and David
| | Election to the Association of American Physicians | | |
Paul Wolters, MD, Professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine at UCSF Health, was recently elected to the Association of American Physicians (AAP). His research focuses on understanding the molecular pathogenesis of fibrotic lung disease and to use this knowledge to develop novel therapies for treating these diseases.
| | Election to the American Academy of Microbiology | | |
Babak Javid, MB, PhD, Associate Professor in the Division of Experimental Medicine at ZSFG, was recently elected as a fellow in the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM). His research focuses on fundamental mycobacterial pathophysiology, regulation of adaptive protein synthesis, molecular mechanisms of antibiotic tolerance, and human humoral immunity to tuberculosis.
| | Chair-elect of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Research Committee | | |
Tor Neilands, PhD, Professor in the Division of Prevention Science at UCSF Health, received the 2025 UCSF Lifetime Achievement in Mentoring Award. His research includes quantitative methods for the analysis of behavioral sciences data: structural equation modeling, longitudinal analysis via mixed effects models, and survey scale development.
| | Career Development Awards | | Please let Ilona Paredes know if we inadvertently missed your K award, first R01 or equivalent award in this issue of the newsletter. We will make sure to feature your award in our next issue. | | |
Interdepartmental Neurosciences Resident Research Retreat
The Weill Institute is pleased to announce the second annual Interdepartmental Neurosciences Resident Research Retreat, which will take place on August 27 from 3 PM-6 PM at the Sandler Neurosciences Conference Center, located at 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco.
The retreat will feature talks by neuroscience faculty, many of whom are seeking trainees to join their teams, showcasing a diverse sampling of exciting research across a range of disciplines and disease areas. Attendees will also hear from a variety of clinician-scientists about their career paths and insights engaging in research as a complement to clinical activities. The event will conclude with a networking reception for continued conversation with colleagues.
Resident Research Retreat: 3 PM-5 PM | Sandler Neurosciences Conference Center
Reception: 5 PM-6 PM | Sandler Neurosciences Center Atrium
| | |
UCSF Institute for Human Genetics (IHG) Genotech Symposium
The UCSF Institute for Human Genetics (IHG) is pleased to announce the upcoming Genotech Symposium, which will take place on September 22 from 9 AM-6 PM at the Genentech Hall Atrium and Auditorium, located at 600 16th Street, San Francisco.
The symposium aims to foster collaboration and cross-fertilization between industry and academia in the fields of genetics and genomics. IHG hopes that this event will enable informal discussions and chance meetings that lead to meaningful interactions and collaborations. The program will feature presentations by industry leaders and UCSF faculty, with a focus on both basic science and translational work across selected topics in genetics and genomics. Registration is free and open to all.
For questions, please contact Tiffany Lai.
| | Career Development Resources | | |
PRE-Proposal Application REview (PREPARE) Program
Ongoing
Hundreds of applicants have benefited from this program to date. Check out what one of our faculty members had to say about their experience with this program:
"This program was super helpful and helped me to get my K01 funded." Nhung Nguyen, PhD, Division of General Internal Medicine, UCSF Health.
To request a concept sheet, full proposal, or summary sheet review, click the button below.
| | |
May Writing and Focused Work Café
Friday, May 16
Do you miss writing or working in the company of others? Do you need some protected time to write that manuscript, draft a grant section, put a presentation together, or get caught up on reading, analyze data, or just want to build community around focused writing or working?
The UCSF CAPS Developmental Core will be hosting a Writing and Focused Work Café, and you are invited! The CAPS Writing Café is open to all researchers, regardless of their area of focus, and is not limited to those conducting research related to AIDS.
Who: Faculty, trainees, and staff from any university
What: Writing and focused work retreat
When: Friday, May 16, 12 PM-3 PM Pacific time
Where: Online (Zoom link will be provided to those who RSVP)
How: Please bring a work-related project you need to complete. We will briefly share what our goals are for this time and then follow the Pomodoro technique to keep us focused by working in intervals for a total of hours with short and small breaks in between. This is a great way to boost productivity while feeling connected to each other.
Please RSVP to Mireya Avila if you would like to attend or if you have questions. We ask that you only participate if you are able to stay for the entire duration.
| | |
Michelson Medical Research Foundation - Next Generation Grants
Sunday, June 22
The Michelson Medical Research Foundation, in collaboration with Next Frontier Advisors, has issued a request for applications (RFA) for its Next Generation Grants program. These awards support promising researchers applying disruptive concepts and inventive processes to advance human immunology, vaccine discovery, and immunotherapy research for major global diseases.
This funding opportunity invites research proposals focused on human immunology and vaccine development. The review committee will prioritize projects that address critical barriers to human vaccine development and aim to deepen our understanding of the immune processes essential to the success of vaccines and immunotherapies.
A total of $150,000 will be awarded for a one-year project period.
To Apply:
- This is an open RFP; UCSF may submit an unlimited number of applications.
-
Interested applicants should email Melanie Derynck to announce their intent to apply.
-
Please follow the application instructions outlined in the RFP, and consult with your Grants Officer as needed.
-
The application deadline is Sunday, June 22, 2025.
| | |
The Concern Foundation for Cancer Research
Friday, July 25
The Concern Foundation for Cancer Research is now accepting applications for its Conquer Cancer Now Award program. Designed to support early-career scientists, this program provides critical seed funding for innovative projects and intends to support the development of the next generation of cancer researchers and thus promote progress in understanding cancer biology and improved approaches to cancer.
This funding opportunity invites research proposals that are hypothesis-driven and focused on cancer genetics, cancer biology, or cancer immunology.
Note: The Foundation will not fund clinical trials, cancer epidemiology, or behavioral studies.
A total of $100,000 per year, direct costs only, will be awarded for up to two years.
Applicants must:
- Hold a faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level (or equivalent).
- Have had independent lab space for one to seven years.
- Do not currently hold, nor have received a fundable score on, an R01 or equivalent grant.
Priority will be given to investigators who are highly regarded by their institutions but have not yet secured significant external funding.
To Apply:
- This is an open RFP; UCSF may submit an unlimited number of applications.
-
Interested applicants should email Liz Catalano to announce their intent to apply.
-
Please follow the application instructions outlined in the RFP, and consult with your Grants Officer as needed.
-
Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline is Friday, July 25, 2025.
- Invited full proposals will be due in November 2025.
| | If you'd like to contribute to future newsletters, please send your items to Ilona Paredes. | | |
ReSearch ReSource Newsletter
The Office of Research delivers a monthly communication of news and resources dedicated to the research enterprise, a helpful companion to DOM Research News! Read the newsletter here.
| | |
Copyright © 2025, University of California, San Francisco, All rights reserved.
Please send comments, suggestions, and questions to:
diane.havlir@ucsf.edu and david.erle@ucsf.edu
| | | | |
