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.

In response to Governor Whitmer’s announcement that research could begin to ramp up, last Saturday our research community received a message from Dr. Kunkel outlining the process for reactivating research in a safe and measured manner here at the U-M Medical School.

Dr. Kunkel announced that BSRB would be the first building reactivated, with 30% of personnel returning gradually, today and tomorrow. Entrance to BSRB will be limited to critical and essential personnel only for the holiday weekend, and the research ramp up will resume next Tuesday. Importantly, in preparation for other buildings to open in the future in a phased matter, all personnel who might be a part of subsequent phases must complete a MyLinc training module by 5:00PM, Tuesday, May 26:

MyLinc Training Module COVID 19: Working Safely in U-M Research Areas

If you have questions about the MyLinc training module, please contact [email protected]. Faculty and staff who have questions about the role they’ll play in this phased reopening should connect with their department leadership. CLICK HERE to read more details about the research reactivation process, as well as weblinks for FAQs and info about the ramp up at BSRB.

As a result of U-M’s suspension in research operations and the State of Michigan’s executive stay-at-home order, some researchers are experiencing delays with completing application submissions to the NIH.

Under  NOT-OD-20-082, NIH has indicated that they will accept late applications if the applicant’s delay is a result of university closure due to COVID-19. However, acceptance of late applications is considered on a case-by-case basis and must be accompanied by an explanatory cover letter; those without an explanatory cover letter will be returned.

Grant Services & Analysis has created specific cover letter templates to assist investigators who are considering submitting a late application to the NIH due to the impacts of COVID-19. These editable word documents are available for download and are tailored to laboratory shutdowns as well as restrictions on human subjects research.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Using Facilities & Other Resources to highlight the U-M resource-rich environment

During this time of restricted financial resources, the Grant Services & Analysis team sends a reminder that describing the wide range of institutional resources available at the U-M will help demonstrate to your sponsor the ready-for-success environment for your study. Financial cost sharing is not typically an option, but conveying the depth of support already available to you can equally convince peer reviewers that your study has all the integral components to be a complete success.

When composing sections of your grant proposal, be sure to highlight the scientific environment and institutional investment at the U-M that will contribute to the success of your research. Your sponsor will consider environment as part of their evaluation of your grant proposal, so be sure to give as much detail as possible about the available institutional resources that are relevant to your research.

Grant Services & Analysis recently shared an article outlining key considerations to minimize potential U-M financial liabilities, focusing on monitoring the financial health of sponsored research, including reviewing all project activity in a timely manner and ensuring investigators are kept up-to-date on the overall financial health of their projects, are essential fiscal responsibilities.

The Grants team has developed a new webpage that details steps to take, reports to review, and conversations to have for effective monitoring. Please refer to this webpage as you do monthly reviews of finances. It will help protect the financial health of the institution.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

U-M’s physicians can now request remdesivir for critically ill patients before the clinical trial is open at Michigan Medicine, for patients who were too young to qualify for the trial, and other qualifying circumstances through Emergency Use Authorization.

This is made possible through a TEAMSS (Transforming Expanded Access to Maximize Support and Study) grant awarded two years ago to MICHR.

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

The Office of Faculty Development is continually creating workshops to help faculty cope with the stress of COVID-19. Topics include parenting help, stress management/self-reflection, managing the "new normal," dual-frontline families, meditation, and more.

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 .