Dear Colleagues:
NSF recently recorded a webinar about the requirement to use an NSF-approved format for both the biographical sketch and current & pending support documents as part of proposals submitted to NSF. The policy, outlined in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1), goes into effect for proposals submitted or due, on or after June 1, 2020. The two NSF-approved formats are SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae, and an NSF Fillable PDF.
Webinar topics include:
For additional information, see the NSF pages for the biographical sketch and current and pending support. We would like your feedback on these formats prior to the June 1st requirement. Please provide your comments and questions to policy@nsf.gov.
Regards,
Jean Feldman
Head, Policy Office
Division of Institution and Award Support
Office of Budget, Finance & Award Management
National Science Foundation
Due to the expected number of participants, we ask that you submit questions in advance. Please submit your questions when registering for the Town Hall – see below.
Please register in advance for this Virtual Town Hall and submit questions at the Town Hall website. Upon registration you will receive a confirmation email with details on joining the WebEx meeting.
For more information, please visit the OSP posting or contact OSP directly.
]]>Foundation Directory Online (FDO) is now temporarily accessible and available from home/off campus via UMBC’s Global Protect VPN. Instructions for using the Global Protect VPN can be found on the UMBC VPN Wiki at the link below:
https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=36766377
Once you are signed into the VPN,
please navigate to my.umbc.edu. Go to "Guide" and then click on
"Financial Services and Accounting". Scroll to the bottom of the page
and under "Additional Resources" click on "Foundation Directory Online".
That’s all you need
to do! You will have full access to ALL of the same
information and features of FDO that you would have if you were using it on-campus. Please spread the word to your colleagues and let them know Foundation Directory can now be used from the comfort of one's home!
Due to the expected number of participants, we ask that you submit questions in advance. Please submit your questions when registering for the Town Hall – see below.
Please register in advance for this Virtual Town Hall and submit questions.. Upon registration you will receive a confirmation email with details on joining the WebEx meeting.
Due to the expected number of participants, we ask that you submit questions in advance. Please submit your questions when registering for the Town Hall – see below.
Please register in advance for this Virtual Town Hall and submit questions.. Upon registration you will receive a confirmation email with details on joining the WebEx meeting.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released memorandum 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"). Each federal sponsoring agency must implement this memorandum and provide relevant guidance for UMBC grant-supported activities affected by COVID-19.
The following information is a summary of many federal agency guidelines for select expenditures. As the COVID-19 emergency continues to evolve, please review each sponsor’s specific guidance to ensure you are properly charging awards. The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) has one of the most comprehensive sites for COVID-19 resources (https://www.cogr.edu/institutional-and-agency-responses-covid-19-and-additional-resources) with links to many federal agency specific guidance on federal award impact.
Salaries:
Many researchers and staff may be unable to work as a result of, or related to, the effects of COVID-19. If a recipient organization's policy allows for the charging of salaries and benefits during periods when no work is performed due to the effect of COVID-19, regardless of the funding source, including federal and non-federal, then such charges to grant awards will be allowable.
Note: Awarding agencies and/or auditors from the Office of Inspector General may request documentation to confirm the requirements of institutional policies. UMBC Updated Guidance on Remote Work and Leave provided by Human Resources supports administrative leave to be charged to awards.
Stipends:
Institutions affected by COVID-19 may continue to provide stipend payments to fellows and trainees who may be unable to work as a result of, or related to, COVID-19. Recipients should notify the assigned grants management official and provide documentation demonstrating the effect of COVID-19 and how long the institution will be affected.
Travel:
Non-refundable costs associated with grant-related travel that has been canceled due to COVID-19 may be charged to an award if they would have otherwise been allowable.
Conference Registration Fees:
Non-refundable registration fees for conferences, symposiums, or seminars that have been canceled due to COVID19 may be charged to the award if they would have otherwise been allowable (e.g., necessary to accomplish program objectives).
Federal Agency-Supported Meetings and Conferences:
Scientific meetings, conferences, and workshops supported by federal funding may be delayed or canceled due to COVID-19. Non-refundable costs associated with federal supported meetings and conferences affected by COVID-19 are allowable and may be requested as an administrative supplement to the appropriate funding agency. Recipients should contact their assigned grants management specialist and program official to provide documentation demonstrating the effect of COVID-19. The funding agency will work with the recipient to address the impact on the grant.
Please be mindful of the following for any costs charged to a sponsored award during the COVID-19 crisis:
· Recipients should not assume supplemental funding will be available should the costs incurred result in a shortage of funds to eventually carry out the project.
· Recipients must maintain appropriate records and cost documentation to substantiate the charge for any cancellation or other fees related to interruption of operations or services. Documentation should notate that the expense was incurred as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released memorandum 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"). Each federal sponsoring agency must implement this memorandum and provide relevant guidance for UMBC grant-supported activities affected by COVID-19.
The following information is a summary of many federal agency guidelines for select expenditures. As the COVID-19 emergency continues to evolve, please review each sponsor’s specific guidance to ensure you are properly charging awards. The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) has one of the most comprehensive sites for COVID-19 resources (https://www.cogr.edu/institutional-and-agency-responses-covid-19-and-additional-resources) with links to many federal agency specific guidance on federal award impact.
Salaries:
Many researchers and staff may be unable to work as a result of, or related to, the effects of COVID-19. If a recipient organization's policy allows for the charging of salaries and benefits during periods when no work is performed due to the effect of COVID-19, regardless of the funding source, including federal and non-federal, then such charges to grant awards will be allowable.
Note: Awarding agencies and/or auditors from the Office of Inspector General may request documentation to confirm the requirements of institutional policies. UMBC Updated Guidance on Remote Work and Leave provided by Human Resources supports administrative leave to be charged to awards.
Stipends:
Institutions affected by COVID-19 may continue to provide stipend payments to fellows and trainees who may be unable to work as a result of, or related to, COVID-19. Recipients should notify the assigned grants management official and provide documentation demonstrating the effect of COVID-19 and how long the institution will be affected.
Travel:
Non-refundable costs associated with grant-related travel that has been canceled due to COVID-19 may be charged to an award if they would have otherwise been allowable.
Conference Registration Fees:
Non-refundable registration fees for conferences, symposiums, or seminars that have been canceled due to COVID19 may be charged to the award if they would have otherwise been allowable (e.g., necessary to accomplish program objectives).
Federal Agency-Supported Meetings and Conferences:
Scientific meetings, conferences, and workshops supported by federal funding may be delayed or canceled due to COVID-19. Non-refundable costs associated with federal supported meetings and conferences affected by COVID-19 are allowable and may be requested as an administrative supplement to the appropriate funding agency. Recipients should contact their assigned grants management specialist and program official to provide documentation demonstrating the effect of COVID-19. The funding agency will work with the recipient to address the impact on the grant.
Please be mindful of the following for any costs charged to a sponsored award during the COVID-19 crisis:
· Recipients should not assume supplemental funding will be available should the costs incurred result in a shortage of funds to eventually carry out the project.
· Recipients must maintain appropriate records and cost documentation to substantiate the charge for any cancellation or other fees related to interruption of operations or services. Documentation should notate that the expense was incurred as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
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