This page is updated monthly to include critical updates associated with federal funding.
Institutional Updates
Multifactor Authentication for Research.gov
The multifactor authentication (MFA) for Research.gov sign-in became effective Sunday, October 27, 2024.
Once you complete the one-time MFA enrollment process, SPS recommends that UO users access Research.gov using “Organization Credentials”.
This method will route through the Duo Mobile authentication process. Note this method is not phishing resistant, but SPS has determined that this method of accessing Research.gov is acceptable while we wait for further guidance from the National Science Foundation. This is the quickest way to access Research.gov.
Training resources including how-to guides and frequently asked questions (FAQs) are now available on the new About Signing Into Research.gov page. This new page helps the research community to quickly enroll in MFA and learn how to sign into Research.gov with the selected MFA method.
Updated Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Rate
The University of Oregon’s fringe benefit rates have been finalized for FY25 and we have received an updated F&A rate agreement to reflect these rates. Updated rates are posted on the F&A rates webpage.
Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program Compliance
UO researchers who receive federal funding may not participate in a malign foreign talent recruitment program (MFTRP) pursuant to 42 USC 19232: Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program Prohibition and federal sponsor agency regulations. Beginning July 1, PIs will need to attest in the compliance tab of EPCS that they are aware of this prohibition and that they nor any senior/key personnel on the sponsored project are party to any MFTRP. MFTRPs are defined as a recruitment program sponsored by or located within a country of concern that offers an employee compensation for performing problematic obligations or activities. More information about MFTRPs, including a list of problematic activities, can be found on the export control website.
The National Science Foundation (NSF)
NSF Virtual Grants Conference (Free!)
The Fall 2024 NSF Virtual Grants Conference is open for registration! The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) will host the semi-annual event from December 9 – 12, 2024. This is an excellent opportunity to gain insights into NSF’s current issues, policies and procedures, and specific funding opportunities. There is no cost for this conference.
Proposals with research off site (travel or conference grants) or off campus
For all proposals which conduct research off site (travel or conference grants) or off campus, the UO must certify that the offsite location has a plan in place for that proposal regarding safe and inclusive working environments. Please work with your pre-award sponsored project administrator (SPA) if you have any questions.
The NSF draft revised Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), expected to go into effect in early 2024, includes the definition of Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRP). Proposals will require new certifications regarding MFTRP by the UO and for senior/key persons. If awarded, PIs and co-PIs will be required to certify annually during the life of the award.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) issued the 2024 Final Rule to update the 2005 Public Health Service (PHS) Policies on Research Misconduct. The 2024 updates to the Final Rule establish requirements for addressing research misconduct; the application date for the final rule is January 1, 2026. UO policy changes to comply with the new final rule will be communicated to the research community once available. For more information, see the ORI announcement or contact Sheryl Johnson, the UO’s research integrity officer at sherylj@uoregon.edu.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
PDF Files Must Be “Flattened” Before Submission
NIH requires submission of PDF attachments as part of both the application process and post award activities in the eRA Commons, such as Request for Additional Materials (RAM), Just-in-Time (JIT), and Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR). Many of these attachments must be flattened before submission to avoid errors.
What is flattening? An electronic PDF file can actually be made up of multiple ‘layers’ such as a watermark, images, regular text, electronic signatures, and maybe even some fillable form fields. Flattening files keeps them from being inadvertently edited, reduces the file size, and helps ensure that what you submit is what agency staff members see.
Visit the new NIH flattening PDFs for application submission and commons uploads resource page.
Foreign disclosures
A reminder that if you partner or publish with a foreign collaborator, or conduct research on a foreign project, either funded or not funded, please be sure that your Other Support, Current and Pending Support, and Biosketch documents properly disclose the collaboration. New common forms are now available that guide how to disclose and provide further definitions. If you have any questions about what requires disclosure, please reach out to your post-award team.