2018-19 CPI roster: Chair — David Threadgill, Veterinary Medicine ● Vice Chair — Darren DePoy, Science ● Past Chair — Penny Riggs, COALS ● AgriLife Extension — Craig Carpenter, Gaylon Morgan ● AgriLife Research — Michael Brewer, Ambika Chandra, Lee Tarpley ● Architecture — Ergun Akleman ● Bush School — Kent Portney ● COALS — Russell Cross, Kerri Gehring, Wes Osburn, Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Pierson, David Stelly, Aaron Tarone ● Education — Oi-Man Kwok, Rafael Lara-Alecio ● Engineering — Jorge Alvarado, Ulisses Braga-Neto, Akhilesh Gaharwar, Zach Grasley, Melissa Grunlan, Sheng-Jen ‘Tony’ Hsieh, Jodie Lutkenhaus, Scott Socolofsky, Ramesh Talreja ● Geosciences — Alejandro Orsi, Pamela Plotkin, Brendan Roark ● Law – Susan Fortney ● Liberal Arts — Sandra Braman, Steve Maren, Harland Prechel ● Mays — Korok Ray ● Medicine — Vytas Bankaitis, Kayla Bayless, Carl Gregory ● Nursing — Nancy Downing ● Pharmacy — Jayshree Mishra ● Science — Michael Hall, Christian Hilty, Alexei Safonov, Frank Sottile ● SPH — Jane Bolin ● TAMU at Galveston — R.J. David Wells ● TAMCD — Jay Groppe ● TAMU at Qatar — Othmane Bouhali ● TEES — Dean Schneider ● TTI — David Bierling, Dennis Perkinson ● University Libraries — Bruce Herbert ● Veterinary Medicine — Candice Brinkmeyer-Langford, Jay Ramadoss

The CPI is sponsored annually through funding from Texas A&M University, Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Mail Stop 2404 • College Station, TX 77843-2404 • (979) 862-9166 • cpi@tamu.edu

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CPI Newsletter – January 2019

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Included in this issue:

Update from the CPI Chair

Human Research: Important Changes to Address the Revised Common Rule

Summary of Recent NIH Policy Changes

TXRDC Proposal Development Workshop

Animal Program Updates

NSF Broader Impacts Expo

Step 2 – X-Grants Round 2 Program

Microscopy and Imaging Center (MIC) Cryo-EM Workshop

Inside NIH Peer Review: Grant Application Advice from NIH Peer Reviewers

NIH Specific Aims Writing Clinic

Research Development Fund

Junior Faculty Proposal Writing Academy: NIH Proposal Writing Resources

Updated IBC Application

Unannounced USDA APHIS Visits Anticipated

Learning Management System Selection

New Training Available for International Travelers

Open for Submission: Art & Humanities Fellow Program

Limited Submission Proposal Opportunities

Bulletin for Principal Investigators

Council of Principal Investigators | January 2019 Newsletter CPI 1

Update from Dr. David Threadgill, CPI Chair -------------------------------------------------- January CPI News – The Council of Principal Investigators Executive Committee (CPI-EC) met with administrators on January 9, 2019. Discussions during the meeting were Dr. M. Katherine Banks and Dr. Marvin Adams provided a short overview of the National Lab Office with full overview being presented at the January 16 General CPI Meeting. CPI Contacts – The complete 2018-19 roster of CPI Representatives and the executive committee can be found on the CPI website at http://cpi.tamu.edu/membership/18-19_membership. Previous membership lists can be found in the council archive. Thank you to all the CPI representatives who have served as representatives for PIs during the past year. The CPI-EC continues to meet with President Young and Provost Fierke each month that there are agenda items. Both meetings were canceled in January due to no agenda items and other meeting conflicts. If there are items of concern that impact the research environment, we would like to hear from you. All PIs are encouraged to communicate with their representatives to bring forward items of concern or interest for the research community. Please continue to bring research-related issues (and solutions) to my attention at CPI@tamu.edu. Reminder: The February General CPI meeting will be Wednesday, February 13, 2019, Rudder 601. Contact Rebecca Luckey, rluckey@tamu.edu or 979.862.9166, for more information or to suggest agenda items for our monthly meetings. Human Research: Important Changes to Address the Revised Common Rule -------------------------------------------------- January 21, 2019 is the implementation dated for the revised Common Rule. Because the revised rule does not provide for a transitional period, a temporary freeze on new initial IRB applications went into effect on January 1, 2019 and will continue until January 21, 2019. The freeze does NOT impact existing research that has already received IRB approval. There are also a number of exceptions to the freeze (see below). New research projects with funding or other significant deadlines prior to January 21, 2019 will be accepted for processing. The IRB is making an effort to process currently submitted initial applications prior to January 21st. All new initial applications submitted on or after January 21, 2019 must follow the revised Common Rule and/or the TAMU HRPP updated requirements which allow maximum flexibility. Exceptions to the freeze: Investigators should continue to submit all personnel changes, amendments, continuing reviews and reportable safety events for any previously approved study. New research projects with funding or other significant deadlines prior to January 21, 2019 will be accepted for processing. Contact the HRPP to schedule an educational session about these important changes to human subjects research. For a summary of changes to the Common Rule and TAMU implementation plans, see https://rcb.tamu.edu/humansubjects/revised-common-rule. Please contact the Human Research Protection Program with any questions at 979-458-4067 or by email at irb@tamu.edu. Summary of Recent NIH Policy Changes -------------------------------------------------- NIH and HHS agencies have announced changes to policy and review criteria, which will impact grant application submission for due dates on or after January 25, 2019. These changes are summarized in a recent NIH blog post, and include replacement of the term “scientific premise” with “the rigor of the prior research” and adding instructions and review language so that “the rigor of the prior research” is addressed under both Significance and Approach (https://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/2019/01/08/reminder-of-policy-changes/).

Council of Principal Investigators | January 2019 Newsletter CPI 2

Significant changes and revisions are also noted in the Application Guide (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/forms-e/general/g.120-significant-changes.htm). TXRDC Proposal Development Workshop – January 25, 2019 -------------------------------------------------- The Texas Federal Statistical Research Data Center (TXRDC) welcomes interested researchers to attend our Proposal Development Workshop and/or our Graduate Student Information Session. Both will be held Friday January 25, 2019 in Room 103 of the D. L. Houston, Bldg. The purpose of the events is to share information with researchers about opportunities for research in RDCs and answer questions folks may have about the possibilities for conducting research using restricted-access federal data. The “main event” is a “Proposal Development” workshop on Friday, January 25th from 11:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. in Room 103 of the D.L. Houston Bldg. In the workshop we will share information about RDC data, TXRDC resources and opportunities, and how to plan, prepare, and submit proposals for projects using restricted federal data. The attached documents provide the agenda for the workshop and the TXRDC seed grant program. Researchers from all disciplines and colleges are welcome to attend. Earlier the same day (9:30-11:15 a.m.) we also will host a Graduate Student Information Session. In this we will review issues of special interest to student researchers who wish to learn more about research projects using restricted federal data. Graduate students from all disciplines and colleges are welcome. Student participants also are welcome to attend the proposal development workshop which follows. TXRDC will provide lunch for persons attending the proposal develop workshop. Use the RSVP link below to register for the workshop and specify lunch options. Also use the relevant link below to learn about parking arrangements.

For more information, refer to the attached flyer or the following websites. Workshop Information and Lunch RSVP: https://txrdc.tamu.edu/2018/11/14/1-25-19-1130-3-pm-103-donald-l-houston-bldg-winter-2019-proposal-development-workshop/ Doctoral Student Information Session & RSVP: https://txrdc.tamu.edu/event/doctoral-student-information-session-3/ Parking Information: https://txrdc.tamu.edu/parking/ Location & Directions: https://txrdc.tamu.edu/location/ Animal Program Updates -------------------------------------------------- New Attending Veterinarian and Executive Director of the Comparative Medicine Program Effective January 28, 2019, Robert E. Rose, DVM, will join Texas A&M University as attending veterinarian and executive director of the Comparative Medicine Program in the Division of Research. He is a diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and has sixteen years of clinical veterinary medicine experience and seventeen years in laboratory animal medicine and in vivo research at large teaching institutions (Texas A&M, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center), contract research organizations (Bioanalytical Systems, Shin Nippon Biological Laboratories), and the pharmaceutical industry (Alcon/Novartis, Allergan). Rose was previously director of non-clinical sciences and technology, preclinical development, at Alcon Research Ltd. in Fort Worth, where he directed and managed in vivo and in vitro scientists planning and performing preclinical studies in support of the Alcon research-and-development portfolio. He received his doctor of veterinary medicine from Texas A&M in 1985. Rose also completed his post DVM residency in Comparative Medicine and his master’s in Laboratory Animal Medicine in 2006 at Texas A&M.

Council of Principal Investigators | January 2019 Newsletter CPI 3

New Director Animal Welfare Office Andrea (“Andi”) Mitchell will be joining the Animal Welfare Office as its new director on January 14, 2019. Ms. Mitchell has worked in a university environment for more than 25 years including 10 years in the IACUC office at the University of Arizona. She is currently the IACUC program director. Prior to that, she held various roles in the animal care department at University of Arizona for close to 18 years. Ms. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Arizona. NSF Broader Impacts Expo --------------------------------------------------- When: February 6, 2019, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Where: ILSB Auditorium and Lobby About: Presenters will inform attendees about the strategies and considerations relevant to the

Broader Impacts and Education Plan requirements of grant proposals submitted to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and will include an expo for attendees to connect with campus representatives who can provide broader impact resources. Who Should Attend Broader Impacts Seminar (All Faculty Invited to Attend): Includes seminar and Q&A Expo (All Faculty Invited to Attend): Network with the campus representatives about your Broader Impacts needs NSF CAREER Education Plan Seminar (Junior Faculty Invited to Attend): Includes NSF CAREER awardees panel, seminar, and Q&A

Agenda: Introductions and Seminars will take place in the ILSB Auditorium. The Expo and Breaks will be held in the ILSB Lobby. 1:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. – Introduction and Welcome 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. – Broader Impacts Seminar for All Faculty (Dr. Jim Izat) 2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. – Break 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. – Introduction of Campus Representatives Participating in the Expo (1 minute, 1 slide presentations) 3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – EXPO and Break 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. – NSF CAREER Education Plan Seminar for Junior Faculty (Dr. Laurie Garton)

Contacts: Dr. Laurie Garton, lsgarton@tamu.edu; Dr. Jim Izat, jizat@tamu.edu For more information, please visit: https://tees.tamu.edu/researchsupport/resources/ Step 2 – X-Grants Round 2 Program -------------------------------------------------- When: Monday, February 11, 2019

Step 2 of the X-Grants Round 2 program is now open. Researchers should be creating or editing their profile, establishing their team, and developing and submitting their one-pager (president.tamu.edu/xgrants/one-pagers.html). Submission of all information should be done through xgrants.tamu.edu. The Word template on the X-Grants website must be used to develop the one-pager. All one-pagers must be submitted by Monday, Feb. 11, in order to be eligible for review. Microscopy and Imaging Center (MIC) Cryo-EM Workshop – February 12-13, 2019 -------------------------------------------------- The MIC will be conducting a 2-day mini workshop on Cryo EM on February 12-13, 2019. The workshop will include presentations on sample preparation, imaging, computational image analysis, and CLEM. There will be demonstrations of specimen preparation using plunge freezing and cryo-ultramicrotomy, and imaging cryo-fixed specimens in TEM. Hands-on sessions for computational image analysis will be conducted, with a limited number of seats. Participants will need to bring their own laptops with LINUX or Mac OSX. More details, list of speakers, and registration: https://microscopy.tamu.edu/whats-new/what-s-new.html Please contact andysen@tamu.edu with any questions.

Council of Principal Investigators | January 2019 Newsletter CPI 4

Inside NIH Peer Review: Grant Application Advice from NIH Peer Reviewers -------------------------------------------------- When: February 14, 2019; 10:00-11:30 a.m. Where: 601 Rudder About: What happens when the grant proposal you’ve worked on for months arrives at the NIH? How

do study section reviewers discuss and score proposals? What makes some proposals more powerful than others? These and other questions will be addressed during this 90-minute seminar and Q&A with Texas A&M faculty who have served as NIH study section reviewers. Remote viewing will be available for participants outside the Bryan/College Station area.

Register: By 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at https://u.tamu.edu/NIHPRW19. Contacts: Christina Howard, Ph.D., Research Development Officer, c-howard@tamu.edu Shannon Eyre, Sr. Administrative Coordinator, seyre@tamu.edu NIH Specific Aims Writing Clinic -------------------------------------------------- When: February 21, February 28, March 21; 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Where: HPEB LL43B About: Participants in this three-meeting series will edit and refine their NIH Specific Aims section,

which is the foundation of any successful NIH grant application. Participants should plan to attend all three meetings. At the initial meeting, a panel of experienced NIH study section members will conduct a mock peer review of the Specific Aims of three participants selected at random. In meetings two and three, participants will “pair-and-share” their draft and revised Specific Aims sections, respectively, to give and receive peer feedback. RDS staff will coordinate the meetings and will provide critiques on proposal documents.

Register: By 11:00 p.m. on Friday, February 15, 2019 at https://u.tamu.edu/SAC-Spring19 Contact: Christina Howard, Ph.D., Research Development Officer, c-howard@tamu.edu Shannon Eyre, Sr. Administrative Coordinator, seyre@tamu.edu Research Development Fund -------------------------------------------------- Full applications are due February 23, 2019. More information is available at rdf.tamu.edu or email questions to rdf@tamu.edu. Junior Faculty Proposal Writing Academy: NIH Proposal Writing Resources -------------------------------------------------- When: February 26, 2019; 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Where: 401 Rudder About: Faculty will gain fundamental knowledge and strategies for navigating the NIH grant process

and leveraging NIH funding opportunities to drive their research forward. The overall structure and mission of the NIH will be addressed, along with tips for taking full advantage of key NIH tools and resources.

Register: By 10:00 a.m. on February 26, 2019, at https://u.tamu.edu/NIHResources19. Contact: Christina Howard, Ph.D., Research Development Officer, c-howard@tamu.edu Updated IBC Application -------------------------------------------------- The IBC and the Office of Biosafety recently revised the IBC application used by researchers. An opportunity for review and feedback on the new form was provided to the research community. The new form was rolled out on December 21, 2018. Please contact the Office of Biosafety at 979-862-4549 or email ibc@tamu.edu with any questions or concerns.

Council of Principal Investigators | January 2019 Newsletter CPI 5

Unannounced USDA APHIS Visits Anticipated -------------------------------------------------- Texas A&M AgriLife received notification in early September, 2018, of an impending USDA APHIS audit emphasizing compliance with permitting requirements for import, transit and release of regulated animals, animal products, veterinary biologics, plants, plant products, pests, organisms, soil and genetically engineered organisms. Selected faculty in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology were audited by USDA APHIS enforcement officials in early November, and more unannounced visits are anticipated. Researchers are asked to notify their Department Head and the Office of Biosafety in the event they are audited by USDA APHIS. Learning Management System Selection -------------------------------------------------- Texas A&M University’s contract with eCampus, otherwise known as Blackboard Learn, expires on August 31st, 2021. Thus, the university has decided to direct the IT Governance program to develop a faculty-centric Learning Management System (LMS). The LMS Selection Committee is targeting to submit a replacement LMS by the summer of 2019. To achieve this, the committee will require participation from faculty and staff in different events showcasing the three selected learning management systems. For more information visit the following link: https://cio.tamu.edu/it-governance/committees/ttltc/lms-sc/index.php. To view the timeline of the showcase events, view the attached flyer or link: https://cio.tamu.edu/it-governance/committees/ttltc/lms-sc/ITG-LMS-Review-Timeline.pdf. New Training Available for International Travelers -------------------------------------------------- U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act System Risk Management has created a new course in TrainTraq, course 2113639: U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for employees who are travelling internationally. It is recommended that this course be taken in conjunction with course 211728: International Travel Safety: Safe Passage Presentation. This new course provides an overview of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices act of 1977, which made it unlawful for certain people and entities (ex. State employees) to make payments to foreign officials in exchange for business. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/foreign-corrupt-practices-act. Although only certain countries are considered high risk due to an entrenched culture of public corruption, System Risk Management encourages all employees who are travelling internationally to take this training for awareness purposes. For questions, contact System Risk Management 979-458-6234. Open for Submission: Art & Humanities Fellow Program -------------------------------------------------- Induction as an Arts & Humanities Fellow recognizes extraordinary scholarship and creativity and provides faculty a supportive environment through which to advance their scholarship and creative work, and reward scholarly and artistic merit in their chosen discipline. It is also hoped that recognition as a fellow will build, strengthen, and sustain long-term relationships with fellows outside their chosen discipline. Please visit: https://vpr.tamu.edu/initiate-research/arts-and-humanities-fellows for more information on the application process. Limited Submission Proposal Opportunities -------------------------------------------------- The list of current Limited Submission Proposal (LSP) opportunities, maintained by the Division of Research, is available at https://u.tamu.edu/LSP. To receive notifications about new LSP opportunities as soon as they are announced, email Ms. Shelly Martin at shelly.martin@tamu.edu.

Council of Principal Investigators | January 2019 Newsletter CPI 6

Bulletin for Principal Investigators -------------------------------------------------- The Division of Research at Texas A&M University publishes a weekly bulletin about research. The Research Bulletin accepts news items about researchers and their teams from the colleges, schools, campuses and agencies within the Texas A&M research enterprise, including honors, funding, presentations, and appearances in news media. Click here to subscribe or unsubscribe to the bulletin.

TEXAS FEDERAL STATISTICAL RESEARCH DATA CENTER T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y

Introduction to Research in RDCs

TXRDC Consortium Member Institutions: Texas A&M University, the Texas A&M University System, Baylor University, the University of Houston, Rice University, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of

Texas at San Antonio. For event information and RSVP links please visit: TXRDC Events

TXRDC • 101 D. L. Houston Building • 200 Discovery Drive • College Station, TX 77843-2406 • 979-845-5618

Graduate Student Information Session

10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Friday January 25, 2019

101 Donald L. Houston Building 200 Discovery Drive

The TXRDC invites interested graduate students and other interested researchers to attend a “Graduate Student Information Session.” The goal of the session is to provide information about the TXRDC with a special focus on (1) giving prospective researchers an overview of the kinds of restricted access data available in RDCs and (2) discussing various issues graduate students should consider when undertaking a research project using restricted data (e.g., determining whether project time lines will fit with timelines for funding support and degrees).

The target audience for this event is graduate students and other researchers who are searching for data that can sustain high impact dissertations and research projects. Bring your curiosity and your research questions. We will share information about restricted data available in the RDC system and brainstorm with you about data that could be relevant for your research ideas. We welcome all researchers who are curious about restricted data in the federal statistical system and are not yet familiar with RDCs. Use the following link (RSVP-QUESTIONS) (or go to txrdc.tamu.edu) to RSVP and submit ideas/questions in advance. We will try to address as many as time permits.

Participation is free and open to doctoral students and other researchers from all disciplines. On-site parking is by permit (click for instructions to email/call for help with parking). The D. L. Houston Building is on TAMU Shuttle Route 3 “White Creek Apartments #2”. For more information go to the TXRDC Events page.

Agenda

9:30am – Arrive, Have a morning snack, Settle In

Enjoy a snack (coffee, juice, pastries, and fruit) then find a seat in the auditorium.

10:00am – 11:15am Information Session

Welcome, Overview of TXRDC Programs/Resources Discussion of graduate student research in RDCs – opportunities and pitfalls Discussion of available data and potential relevance for research projects Comments from RDC Administrator, Dr. Bethany DeSalvo Overview of how RDC research projects work – practical concerns Open Questions / Final comments on next steps

TEXAS FEDERAL STATISTICAL RESEARCH DATA CENTER T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y

Introduction to Research in RDCs

TXRDC Consortium Member Institutions: Texas A&M University, the Texas A&M University System, Baylor University, University of Houston, Rice University, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Texas

at San Antonio. For event information and RSVP links please visit: TXRDC Events

TXRDC • 101 D. L. Houston Building • 200 Discovery Drive • College Station, TX 77843-2406 • 979-845-5618

Proposal Development Workshop 11:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday January 25, 2019

101 Donald L. Houston Building 200 Discovery Drive

The TXRDC invites interested researchers to attend our fall semester “Proposal Development

Workshop”. The goal of the workshop is to give researchers an overview of: (1) the restricted data resources available for RDC-based research, (2) programs and services available at the TXRDC, (3) the steps involved in gaining approval for projects using restricted data, and (4) the seed grants program to support development of RDC project proposals.

Workshop participation is free and is open to all researchers at TAMU and other TXRDC Consortium institutions. Faculty, researchers and doctoral students from all disciplines are welcome. On-site parking is by permit (click for instructions to email/call for help with parking). The D. L. Houston Building is on TAMU Shuttle Route 3 “White Creek Apartments #2”.

Sessions 11:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Lunch Included (RSVP required for lunch)

11:45am-12:30pm Show up, Sign In, and Enjoy Box Lunch (if RSVP’ed)

Pick up your name tag, select a box lunch and drink, and settle in. To RSVP for a lunch, click on the RSVP link above. Alternatively, go to the TXRDC Events page, click on the “find out more” link for the Workshop and then click on the RSVP link.

12:30pm-1:00pm Session I, Part I. Welcome, Overview of TXRDC Programs/Resources

Overview of the national RDC network and research opportunities in RDCs. Review of the resources, programs, and services available at the TXRDC.

1:00pm-1:30pm Session I, Part II. Scouting RDC Projects and Data

Review of examples of RDC projects and how to learn about them. Scouting restricted data sets available in RDCs. Overview of preparing proposals to use NCHS data sets.

1:30-1:45pm Break

1:45pm–3:00pm Session II. Writing Proposals for Projects Using Restricted Data

Review the Census perspective on the TAMU-US Census Bureau collaboration. Scouting and developing project ideas. Elements of successful RDC proposals and projects. Preparing/submitting Census RDC proposals. Planning project timelines.

Workshop on RDC-Based Research The goal of the workshop is to introduce researchers to the restricted access data sources and research tools available in RDCs, the services and programs available at the TXRDC, and the steps involved in gaining approval to conduct research using restricted data at the TXRDC.

Schedule – Friday January 25, 2019

11:45 am – 12:30 pm. Sign-in, Enjoy Box Lunch

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm. Session I, Part 1: Overview of TXRDC Programs & Resources

Mark Fossett, Director, Texas A&M University

● Overview of the workshop, the TXRDC, and the TXRDC consortium

● The TXRDC Seed Grant Program

● Other TXRDC Workshops, Presentations, and Events

● Graduate student involvement in RDC research

● TXRDC resources and opportunities for researchers

1:00 pm – 1:30 pm. Session I, Part 2: Scouting RDC Projects and Confidential Data

● Examples of RDC projects and how to learn about them (Kate Willyard)

● Scouting data from Census and National Center for Health Statistics (Kate Willyard)

● Comments on NCHS (health data) Proposals and Projects (Mark Fossett)

1:30 pm – 1:45 pm. Break

1:45 pm – 3:00 pm. Session II: Proposal Development Nuts and Bolts

Dr. Bethany DeSalvo, RDC Administrator, U.S. Census Bureau

Overview from the Census Perspective

● RDCs, the RDC national network, and the TAMU-Census collaboration.

● Review of selected restricted data sets.

● Brainstorm about variables, project feasibility, and developing a proposal.

Nuts and Bolts of Developing Census RDC Proposals

● Gaining access to restricted data – Who can conduct research in RDCs?, What kinds of questions can be investigated?, and How can results be used?

● Conditions and protocols of conducting research in the RDC secure lab.

● Ingredients of successful proposals and projects.

● Planning timelines for proposals, proposal review, and completing RDC projects.

● How to get started with a proposal.

● Questions and closing remarks.

TEXAS FEDERAL STATISTICAL RESEARCH DATA CENTER TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Seed Grants Spring 2019

TXRDC Consortium Institutions: Texas A&M University, the Texas A&M University System, Baylor University, University of Houston, Rice University, the University of Texas-Austin, & the University of Texas-San Antonio. TXRDC • 101 D. L. Houston Building • 200 Discovery Drive • College Station, TX 77843-2406 • 979-845-5618

The Texas Federal Statistical Research Data Center (TXRDC) invites applications for “Seed Grants” to support researcher efforts to develop proposals for RDC-based projects using restricted access data. These awards support activities and resources that will enhance the quality, scope, and timeliness of RDC project proposals. Examples of supported items include: travel to consult with researchers who have prior experience working with relevant restricted data, travel to meet with funding agency program officers, travel to support on-site team-building, software training, attending workshops on relevant restricted datasets, attending workshops on methods training for project-specific analysis using software available in RDCs, supporting team meetings for multi-institution projects, stipends for research assistants and student workers, project-relevant software and data, and other activities and resources that can enhance the quality and timeliness of proposals.

Please note: This program supports developing proposals for RDC project. It does not support

conducting the work of the research project. Approval for using funds for activities not noted above must be confirmed by memo or email from the TXRDC director.

Overview of TXRDC Seed Grant Program

Frequency: Seed grant proposals can be submitted for review at any time during the year. Specific calls for proposal are coordinated to coincide with our regular proposal development workshops in September (fall cycle), December/January (spring/winter cycle), and May (summer cycle). Proposals for the spring review cycle are due Friday February 8th 2019. Contact TXRDC Director Mark Fossett (m-fossett@tamu.edu) for additional information or to submit a proposal “out of cycle”.

Size and Distribution of Awards: There are two categories of awards: “Regular” and “Program”.

“Regular” awards are for projects involving a small team of researchers and standard project scope. Awards typically will be $3,000-$5,000 (maximum of $8,000). “Program” awards are for project

ideas involving more ambitious project scope and must have excellent prospects for securing external funding to support the proposed research. Potential for securing external funding is a component of the review. Awards typically will be $5,000 to $10,000 (maximum of $15,000).

Eligibility: We invite applications from faculty-level researchers affiliated with TXRDC Consortium Institutions – Texas A&M University, the Texas A&M University System, Baylor University, the University of Houston, Rice University, the University of Texas-Austin, and the University of Texas-San Antonio. Doctoral students also are eligible to apply, but award terms are subject to significant restrictions; in particular, awards will not cover a student’s stipend or tuition.

All else equal, priority is given to researchers who have not previously received TXRDC support.

Indirect Costs and Efficient Transmission of Funds: Seed grants are made possible in part by funds provided by TXRDC consortium member institutions. Accordingly, awards to researchers at TXRDC consortium institutions should be viewed by their home universities as “internal awards” with funds being made available to awardees in the most direct and efficient manner possible to facilitate bringing research proposals forward quickly and with minimal bureaucratic burden on researchers.

Please note: TXRDC seed grants do not allow “indirect costs” charges or any other expenses not directly related to proposal development.

TXRDC Call for Seed Grant Proposals – Page 2

Application Deadline: Review of applications for this cycle will begin Monday February 11th 2019 and continue until available funds are committed. Note that the seed grant program will be reviewed at the TXRDC proposal development workshop scheduled for Friday January 25th from 11:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. [PROPOSAL WORKSHOP INFORMATION AND RSVP LINK].

Submission Process: Please submit the proposal document and associated attachments (per guidelines outlined below) by email to TXRDC Director, Mark Fossett (m-fossett@tamu.edu).

Budget Guidelines: Proposals can request funding support that will enhance the quality, scope, and timeliness of RDC project proposals submitted to Census, NCHS, or other relevant federal statistical agencies. Examples of relevant activities and resources include: travel for consultation and team-building, data acquisition, software acquisition and training, attending workshops on RDC datasets, research methods workshops, stipends for research assistants, and obtaining data/materials needed for proposed projects.

Seed grant funds cannot be used for investigator salaries.

Review Criteria: Review of “Regular” proposal is based on the potential impact of funding support for (a) enhancing the quality, scope, and timely development of proposals for RDC projects. Consideration also is given to the potential for the effort to lead to parallel proposals to external funding agencies. Review of “Program” proposals give particular weight to PI track record in overseeing successful large-scale projects and securing external funding to support research.

Expectations for Progress: Development grant proposals should outline plans for preparing and submitting full proposals for RDC-based projects. The following time-line is expected. (1) Development activities should begin within one month of receiving an award and should include at least one consultation meeting with the TXRDC Director and RDC Administrator. (2) A preliminary draft outlining the key components of a full RDC proposal should be provided for TXRDC review and feedback at three months. (3) A full RDC proposal should be submitted through TXRDC to Census, NCHS, or other federal agency within 4-6 months.

Proposal Guidelines, Review Process, and Timeline

Applications should follow the format described below and include materials as noted below. To ensure prompt review, proposals should be submitted using the form noted below. (Proposals submitted by other means will be reviewed at a later date.)

Page 1. Cover Page

Include a project title, list of investigators, and 200-word non-technical abstract suitable for communicating project goals and merit to an interdisciplinary audience.

Pages 2-3. Project Summary

A 2-page project summary geared to an interdisciplinary review panel. Proposals will likely be reviewed by researchers outside of your own field so please avoid jargon not used outside of your field.

Text specifications are: single spaced, one-inch margins, 11-point font or larger. Please, no appendices, web links, or other supporting materials are allowed.

The project summary should include the following section headings.

TXRDC Call for Seed Grant Proposals – Page 3

• Project Overview: Give a very brief overview of the research question using language suitable for an interdisciplinary review team.

• Data Set(s) and Justification: Note which restricted data set(s) the project will use and briefly note why restricted versions of the data sets are needed.

• Benefits: For projects using census data, include a sentence acknowledging that projects using restricted census data must provide a “benefit” to the

Census Bureau. This is not required for NCHS projects. For information about census benefits, attend our proposal development workshops and/or consult with TXRDC Administrator Bethany DeSalvo.

• Timeline: Provide a timeline for the development project leading to the month in which a proposal is submitted to Census or NCHS.

• Budget: Provide a brief narrative outlining how seed grant funds will be used.

Attachment(s) A. Investigator CV(s)

Designate one person as PI. Identify other personnel as Co-PIs, consultants, postdocs, research assistants, or other title as appropriate.

Provide a CV for the PI and Co-PIs involved in the project.

Attachment B. Supervisor Support Letter (Doctoral Students Only)

Include a letter of support from the dissertation supervisor with the following:

• A brief statement to indicate the supervisor’s commitment to mentor the student

over the course of the project and to obtain Special Sworn Status (to be able to assist the student at critical junctures of the project)

• The expected PhD completion for the student and statement affirming that the supervisor and student have discussed the potential impact of using confidential data on the timeline for completing the PhD

• A brief statement affirming that the supervisor and student have discussed the proposal review process and the disclosure avoidance process and their potential implications for presenting research results outside of the secure lab (i.e., for meetings presentations and job talks)

Proposal Review and Funding Decisions: Proposal reviews and award decisions are made by the TXRDC Director and members of the TXRDC Steering Committee. All decisions are final.

Due Date & Review Timeline: Review of applications begins Monday February 11th, 2019. Please submit the proposal document and attachments (per guidelines outlined below) by email to TXRDC Director Mark Fossett (m-fossett@tamu.edu). Award notification should occur within one month of application deadline. Award funds will be made available as soon as feasible and appropriate based on the proposal time line.

Texas A&M IT Governance Learning Management System Selection Subcommittee

Canvas Product DemonstrationJANUARY 28

Vendor demonstrationsJANUARY 29

Open lab time with CanvasJANUARY 30 – FEBRUARY 8

• Webinars and FAQ sessions with Canvas• Demo Canvas course available to faculty

Blackboard Ultra Product DemonstrationFEBRUARY 18

Vendor demonstrationsFEBRUARY 19

Open lab time with BlackboardFEBRUARY 20 – MARCH 1

• Webinars and FAQ sessions with Blackboard• Demo Blackboard Ultra course available to faculty

Brightspace Product DemonstrationMARCH 18

Vendor demonstrationsMARCH 19

Open lab time with BrightspaceMARCH 20 – MARCH 29

• Webinars and FAQ sessions with Brightspace• Demo Brightspace course available to faculty

University Feedback & IT Governance ProposalsAPRIL 3 & 4

University community feedback forums APRIL 8

University-wide feedback surveyMAY 15

Presentation of Report and Recommendation to the Teaching and Transformational Learning Technologies Committee (TTLTC)MAY 17

Presentation of Report and Recommendation to the Strategic IT Committee (SITC)JUNE – JULY

Final revisions made to report based on findings from the TTLTC and SITC presentations and input from each ITG CommitteeJULY 11

Presentation to the Executive IT Council (EITC) (President, Provost, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Vice President for Enrollment & Academic Services, Vice President for Research)

Texas A&M Learning Management System Review Timeline

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