The Medical School Office of Research has shifted from the monthly publication of “Research News” to a weekly edition. Please bookmark the important links below and consider setting up email alerts to stay abreast of the latest information not only from our organization, but from UMOR.

Events around us are continuously evolving, and our team is committed to keeping you informed and supporting our research community to the utmost of our ability.

Earlier this week, Steven Kunkel, Ph.D., Executive Vice Dean for Research, Medical School and Chief Scientific Officer, Michigan Medicine, sent a thank-you message to our biomedical research community:

"From administrative staff to postdocs to PIs to animal care team members, I continue to be amazed by your passion for the important work we do, in the face of such adversity."

Click on the link below to read more of Dr. Kunkel's message.

Also, take a moment to check out THIS VIDEO just released by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communications, thanking our entire community for the PPE donations that have been pouring in to support our clinical colleagues.

Yesterday, UMOR launched a COVID-19 Research Index. This new web tool catalogues COVID-related research projects led by U-M that are in various stages of development, from planning to fully launched. UMOR is actively managing the site, continuing to enter new research projects every day.

The webpage will be a great tool for researchers seeking collaborators on campus - at last count, there are currently over 30 projects related to COVID-19, in categories like "Clinical Trials" and "Medical Device Development."

Questions? Contact [email protected].

UMOR has established a COVID-19 Research Prioritization Committee, co-chaired by Bethany Moore, Ph.D., Interim Chair of Microbiology and Immunology, and Michael Imperiale, Ph.D., U-M Associate Vice President of Research for Policy and Compliance. The committee is charged with reviewing and prioritizing new or modified research projects related to the study of COVID-19. Researchers interested in leading COVID-19 projects should complete the COVID-related Research Prioritization Form, and questions should be directed to [email protected].

Additionally, the Clinical Trials Support Office (CTSO) is supporting current and future COVID-19 clinical trials through their Acute, Critical Care, Surgery, and Transplant CTSU. The office also provides support activities for non-trial COVID-19 research. Questions? Contact [email protected].

The Grant Services & Analysis team has shared a new, robust NIH webpage that covers all aspects of the implications of the COVID-19 public health crisis. The webpage collects all of the NIH notices related to COVID-19 and the impact to performance of research, flexibilities extended, finances, and potential sources of additional funds.

Of immediate relevance, all deadlines that were published as previously due March 9 - May 1 are now all due no later than May 1. You are welcome to submit at any time prior to May 1, and U-M offices will facilitate. NIH also confirmed that the peer review process is ongoing, though remote.

The NIH webpage also features videos that reiterate some of the key NIH decisions-to-date related to the treatment of purchases, salaries, and how effort is spent. While the highlights are excerpted from the FAQs, NIH stresses throughout their messaging that we are to institutionally handle issues and notify them when able. Continue to follow the  UMOR FAQs (or submit questions) if there is interpretation help needed between NIH Guidance and U-M provided information. NIH has indicated they will be receptive to sorting through the impacts once the public health emergency passes

Questions? Contact [email protected] for assistance.

In response to queries related to the shipment of investigational product (IP), the Research Pharmacy has developed a new process for shipping IP to study participants that is effective immediately. Study teams will be responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals from the PI and sponsor to ship IP to the patient.

NEW! Email In-basket Instead of FAX

Additionally, the Research Pharmacy asks study team members to IMMEDIATELY STOP using the Research Pharmacy FAX line to send documents related to patient care. Instead, please BEGIN USING [email protected] for the following requests:

Contact Kim Redic at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

In compliance with the directive from the UMOR, the Biomedical Research Core Facilities (BRCF) office has closed the Cores, while maintaining minimal access to certain labs so critical activities can continue. See below for Cores that have been approved for COVID-19 and other critical research:

Questions? Contact [email protected].

The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) announced recently they are collaborating on two new efforts to combat COVID-19.

In a joint venture with the Life Sciences Institute, MICHR's Center for Drug Repurposing is working to find a drug previously approved by the FDA – or more likely a cocktail of several drugs – to battle COVID-19. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Additionally, MICHR has also launched a COVID-19 Rapid Response Research Registry to offer a centralized clinical characterization and management resource of what the scientific and health care community has learned through this public health pandemic. CLICK HERE to learn more.

CLICK HERE to learn more about what MICHR is doing in support of COVID-19 research efforts by reading a message from Managing Director Kevin Weatherwax. Questions? Contact [email protected].

Have you received an inquiry from a reporter or media outlet asking about your COVID-19 research or about how your studies are being impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 situation?

If you are part of Michigan Medicine, please contact the Department of Communication at (734) 764-2220 or [email protected] for assistance with responding to inquiries. If you are involved in clinical COVID-19 research, or research using clinical samples or data from Michigan Medicine, this is especially important.

Please reach out to the Department of Communication PRIOR TO responding to any inquiry you receive. It may be appropriate for a representative from Communications to speak to the media on your behalf. Or, if you are to serve as a spokesperson, you may be more comfortable receiving some coaching on how to talk with the media.

Remember, the Department of Communications can offer guidance and support on the most effective ways to share and promote your research across campus, via social media, and with external media outlets.

Two new web-based funding resources have been launched to help researchers pursue funding related to COVID-19:

In addition to these websites, below you'll find this week's roundup of general funding opportunities.

To better navigate the complexities of the U-M biomedical research enterprise, visit the Research Project Lifecycle . This interactive tool provides an overview of the resources available to you, not only within the Medical School Office of Research but also across the University. The "stops" along this lifecycle are highlighted above, and more information is available online .