Phased Return to Research
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VCU research is in Phase III.
Following the guidelines of the universitywide reopen plan, ONE VCU: Responsible Together, the VCU phased Return to Research will occur in a purposeful, responsible and deliberate manner.
Under VCU’s phased return to research, beginning with the lifting of the governor’s orders:
- All research that is possible to be done remotely should continue remotely, including all seminars, group meetings, etc.
and - On-campus research activities are now in Phase III (based on OVPRI determination) with a maximum of 50% to 85% capacity. Phase IV, when implemented, will have 100% capacity with physical distancing. Shift work can maintain capacity percentages while allowing more researchers to work.
OVPRI guidance to the research community
Please review the materials posted below regarding COVID-19 research guidelines and VCU's phased return to research.
- Research health and safety guidelines memo (1/8/21)
- Health and safety reminders (1/7/21)
- Guidance for human subjects research studies (1/6/21)
- Guidance for VCU clinical research teams as COVID-19 cases rise (12/28/20)
- COVID-19 Clinical Trials Oversight Committee (updated 4/8/20)
OVPRI phased return to research guidance
- Phased Return to Research (R2R) plan
- Frequently asked questions regarding the phased R2R (updated 8/14/20)
- We will continue to add new queries and information to the FAQ document. Questions not already addressed by the FAQ can be submitted to rescomply@vcu.edu.
- Request for exception to university requirements
- Request for exception to DAR space requirements
- Are you ready to return?
- Letter from the HRPP regarding the R2R plan
- Investigator responsibilities to the IRB during the R2R
- Supplemental flowchart for investigator responsibilities during the R2R
- Supplemental video guidance
- WIRB guidance (Western IRB, WIRB, Copernicus, WIRB-Copernicus Group, WCG)
- Advarra guidance (including studies previously reviewed by Chesapeake, Schulman and Quorum)
- NCI central IRB guidance
- HRPP COVID-19 FAQ
- Comparison of different methods of obtaining consent signatures remotely
- VCUHS guidance on COVID-19 prevention for human research
Visit the animal care blog for:
- Ramp-up guidance (see June 4, 2020 - Animal Research Ramp-up Guidance)
- Animal ordering (see May 29, 2020 - Animal ordering during VCU’s Return to Research initiative)
- Requests for Exception to University Requirements (see July 13, 2020 - Requests for Exception to University Requirements)
DAR occupancies - facilities use/rule descriptions
Request for exception to DAR space requirements
If you have any questions, please contact Amy Chuang at (804) 828-6587 or iacuc@vcu.edu. All email communications and updates are posted at ACUP news and updates.
Urgent animal welfare issues: Contact an on-call staff veterinarian immediately at (804) 840-5085.
Staged reopening — Return to Research update for users:
The Division of Sponsored Programs is continuing to submit proposals even when staff work remotely. All new grant applications should utilize the normal RAMS-SPOT review/submission process. Federal agencies are aware of current challenges, and we will share additional guidance as it becomes available.
Principal investigators are expected to continue to submit timely annual and final reports in the event of an emergency university closure, which includes work-from-home provisions. Institutional reports (non-financial) will continue to be processed and submitted by OSP staff.
If, as the PI of a grant, you anticipate that your grant deliverables will be delayed by offsite work, please contact your program officer immediately to let them know of your work plan adjustments and copy (cc:) your OSP team on the email communication. Additionally, please prepare a brief explanation of the delay for your next progress report. The explanation should outline the alternative work completed and your plan for accomplishing the original deliverables.
The Council on Governmental Relations provides researchers with its assessment at www.cogr.edu/faqs-regarding-covid-19s-impact-federal-awards.
Current guidance from sponsoring agencies:
(updated 4/8/20)
NIH
- Update on COVID-19 Flexibilities for the Research Community (Dr. Mike Lauer) (added 3/31/20)
- NIH Message to Applicants and Recipients of NIH Funds on Flexibilities Needed for COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (Dr. Mike Lauer) (added 3/20/20)
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients
- UPDATE: NIH Late Application Policy Due to Public Health Emergency for United States for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (added 3/31/20)
- Guidance for NIH-funded Clinical Trials and Human Subjects Studies Affected by COVID-19
- Flexibilities Available to Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19
- NIH LATE APPLICATION POLICY Due to Public Health Emergency for United States for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - COVID-19 Flexibilities for Applicants and Recipients
- General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Proposal Submission and Award Management Related to COVID-19
- Funding Information (updated 4/8/20)
- PA-20-135 - Emergency Competitive Revision to Existing NIH Awards (Emergency Supplement - Clinical Trial Optional)
- PA-18-935 - Urgent Competitive Revision to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Urgent Supplement - Clinical Trial Optional)
- PA-18-591 - Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)
- NOT-CA-20-048 - Notice of National Cancer Institute (NCI) Participation in PA-18-935 “Urgent Competitive Revision to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Urgent Supplement - Clinical Trial Optional)”
- NOT-DC-20-003 - Notice of NIDCD's Participation in PA-18-935 "Urgent Competitive Revision to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Urgent Supplement - Clinical Trial Optional)"
- NOT-HG-20-034 - Notice of NHGRI’s Participation in PA-18-935 "Urgent Competitive Revision to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Urgent Supplement - Clinical Trial Optional)"
- NOT-MD-20-018 - Notice of Participation of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) in PA-18-935 Urgent Competitive Revision to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Urgent Supplement - Clinical Trial Optional)
- NOT-TR-20-015 - Notice of NCATS' Participation in PA-18-935 "Urgent Competitive Revision to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Urgent Supplement - Clinical Trial Optional)"
- NOT-AG-20-022 - Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): NIA Availability of Administrative Supplements and Revision Supplements on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- NOT-HG-20-030 - Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) regarding the Availability of Urgent Competitive Revisions for Research on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus
- NOT-DA-20-047 - Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) regarding the Availability of Administrative Supplements and Urgent Competitive Revisions for Research on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus
- NOT-HL-20-757 - Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Availability of Administrative Supplements and Revision Supplements on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (NHLBI)
- NOT-TR-20-011 - Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program Applications to Address 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Public Heath Need
- NOT-ES-20-014 - Notice of Special Interest: NIEHS Worker Training Program Coronavirus and Infectious Disease Response Training (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- NOT-AI-20-034 - Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) regarding the Availability of Emergency Competitive Revisions for Research on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (NIAID)
- NOT-GM-20-025 - Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) regarding the Availability of Urgent Competitive Revisions for Research on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the Causative Virus SARS-CoV-2 (NIGMS)
- NOT-EB-20-004 - Notice of NIBIB's Participation in PA-18-935 "Urgent Competitive Revision to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Urgent Supplement - Clinical Trial Optional)"
- NOT-AI-20-031 - Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (NIAID)
- NOT-TR-20-012 - Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Repurposing Existing Therapeutics to Address the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
NSF (updated 3/27/20)
- Dear Colleague Letter on the Coronavirus Disease 2019, on proposals to conduct non-medical, non-clinical-care research for immediate use to explore how to model and understand the spread of COVID-19 (added 3/27/20)
- NSF Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-17, entitled, “Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations” (issued 3/23/20)
- Coronavirus Information
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for National Science Foundation (NSF) Proposers and Awardees
- Dear Colleague Letter: Provisioning Advanced Cyberinfrastructure to Further Research on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Additional FAQS (issued 3/16/20)
- Impact on Existing Deadline Dates (issued 3/17/20)
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (added 3/31/20)
- NOT-HS-20-007 - Notice of Intent: Revision Supplements to Existing AHRQ Grants and Cooperative Agreements to Address Health System Responsiveness to COVID-19
- NOT-HS-20-008 - Notice of Intent: New Funding Opportunity Announcement to Support Novel, High-Impact Studies Evaluating Health System and Healthcare Professional Responsiveness to COVID-19
Air Force Office of Scientific Research (added 3/31/20)
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (added 3/23/20)
Department of Defense (updated 4/8/20)
- Allow Exemptions for DOD Financial Assistance Recipients Affected by the Loss of Operational Capacity and Increased Costs Due to the COVID-19 Crisis
- Frequently Asked Questions for DOD Research Proposers and Awardees Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Department of Education (added 4/8/20)
Department of Energy
Department of Justice
- Guidance to Award Recipients Impacted by COVID-19: Short Term Relief for Various Administrative, Financial Management, and Audit Requirements, March 21, 2020 (added 3/24/20)
- COVID-19 Impacts
Food and Drug Administration (added 3/31/20)
Institute of Museum and Library Services (added 4/8/20)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- NASA Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-17
- Grants and Research during the COVID-19 Epidemic
- Assistant Administrator for Procurement Message on Coronavirus
National Endowment for the Arts (added 4/8/20)
National Endowment for the Humanities
Office of Management and Budget
- M-20-18 Managing Federal Contractor Performance Issues Associated with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (added 3/23/20)
- M-20-17 Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations (added 3/20/20)
- M-20-11 Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (added 4/8/20)
- USAMRAA’s Supplemental Guidance on Administrative Flexibilities for Grants and Cooperative Agreements in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
- FAQs on COVID-19's Impact to Human Subjects Research
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Please review your funder’s guidance if your project is being impacted by COVID-19. Please contact your OSP team for more guidance and to initiate any necessary sponsor notifications or requests. (updated 3/17/20)
VCU researchers are encouraged to consider potential funding opportunities for research related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the many sources of information for external funding are:
- The OVPRI finding funding page provides an overview of resources available to VCU researchers.
- Grants.gov provides notices of funding opportunities from VCU’s major federal funding partners, including the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, as well as the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Use “COVID-19,” “coronavirus” or other related terms for your search.
- Pivot combines the most comprehensive, editorially maintained database of funding opportunities worth an estimated $74 billion. Its algorithm also compiles pre-populated researcher profiles unique to VCU and others, and matches them to current funding opportunities in the database. This allows users to search for a funding opportunity and instantly view matching faculty from inside or outside VCU. Conversely, a search for a scholar will link to matching funding opportunities. Use of a vcu.edu email address is required to access Pivot.
Please also review the section on the Division of Sponsored Funding for additional information related to funding from the NIH and NSF.
- Projects related to COVID-19 will be prioritized.
- Export controlled or controlled, unclassified information projects cannot be handled remotely. Affected researchers will be contacted by OVPRI staff.
OVPRI IT will be in office to respond to technical difficulties.
Innovation Gateway
- Operations will continue if staff must work remotely.
- Meetings may be rescheduled or held remotely.
- Senior Executive Director Ivelina Metcheva will handle document signing.
VCU Ventures
Staff is prepared to work remotely to continue operations.
Contact us
Human subject research activities
For IRB approval/submission, contact HRPP:
orsp@vcu.edu
(804) 828-0868
VCU IRB coordinators
(assigned in RAMS-IRB)
For clinical research:
Lisa Ballance
Executive director for clinical research and compliance
lballanc@vcu.edu
Animal care and research activities
IACUC@vcu.edu
(804) 828-6587
Urgent animal welfare issues: Immediately contact an on-call staff veterinarian at
(804) 840-5085.
Core facilities
Paul Fawcett, Ph.D.
Director of research infrastructure
pfawcett@vcu.edu
Sponsored programs
Contact your regular team partner:
(804) 828-6772
Export compliance
Peter Landsman
Assistant director
exportctrl@vcu.edu
landsmanpt@vcu.edu
Compliance issues
Susan Robb
Senior associate vice president for research compliance
sarobb@vcu.edu