uconn health

COVID-19 Sponsor Issued Guidance

This page will be updated regularly with guidance from sponsors, but is not a comprehensive resource. As new information is released regularly, where possible members of the UConn research community are encouraged to sign up for alerts from sponsors to get updates in real time.

Click below for a summary of Sponsoring Agency Terms and Guidance – updated as of May 29, 2020. Please note the excel file contains two tabs, one for Federal Agency Guidance and the second for Non-Federal Agency Guidance.

Sponsor Guidance Matrix

Sponsor

Guidance

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

OMB Guidance

Federal Sponsor Guidance

COGR – Agency Guidance Specific to Federal Award Impact

Additional Federal Sponsor Guidance not on COGR Website

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Forest Service Eastern Region State and Private Forestry

Other Sponsor Guidance

American Heart Association COVID-19 Guidance

IBC Functions Active During COVID-19 Crisis

Posted on March 25, 2020March 26, 2020 by Jessica McBride

With the OVPR shutting down most research activities due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, I wanted to assure you that the administrative functions of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) will remain active during this time. Reviews and approvals of registrations and amendments will continue, renewal reminders are being sent, and personnel training records are still being reviewed. Maintaining compliance will help to ensure that when the COVID-19 crisis is resolved, research activities can resume as quickly as possible.

If you have any registrations or amendments pending approval due to requested revisions, it may be a good time to work on these updates. PIs with pending approvals will receive email reminders by the end of the week. For approvals pending completion of training, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is considering conducting in-person trainings through WebEx, and still has online training available for many courses. PIs and lab contacts can check training records though the EHS website by logging in as a supervisor under the “View Training History” section.

UConn Health PIs can find training and meeting information at UConn Health IBC page.

The IBC office is working remotely, and email is the best way to communicate any questions or concerns. Emails can be sent to the ibc@uconn.edu mailbox, or you can email me directly.

The IBCs in Storrs and at UConn Health wish you all the best during this difficult time, and we are here to support you in any way we can.

Thank you and stay well,

Danielle Delage

IBC Program Director

Environmental Health and Safety

Research Integrity & Compliance Services

UConn | Division of Public Safety

3102 Horsebarn Hill Rd, U-4097

Storrs, CT 06269-4097

PHONE (860) 486-1838

FAX (860) 486-1106

EHS Website: ehs.uconn.edu | IBC Website

David J. Cavallaro, MS, CBSP

Biological Health and Safety Manager

Environmental Health and Safety

UConn | Division of Public Safety

3102 HORSEBARN HILL RD, U-4097

STORRS, CT 06269-4097

PHONE: 860-486-3180

FAX: 860-486-1106

ehs.uconn.edu

Spencer V. Nyholm, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, IBC ChairpersonDepartment of Molecular and Cell Biology
University of Connecticut
91 N. Eagleville Rd., Unit 3125
Storrs, CT 06269
(860) 486-4886 office
(860) 486-4331 fax
spencer.nyholm@uconn.edu

COVID-19: NSF RAPID Program Opportunities

Posted on March 24, 2020March 24, 2020 by Jessica McBride

Dear Colleagues,

While we all face turmoil caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, I wanted to make sure that all faculty are aware of unique funding opportunities through the National Science Foundation with the specific aim of helping address COVID-19. Specifically NSF’s RAPID funding mechanism allows for a drastically reduced submission/award timeline to address this urgent need. Please see the Dear Colleague letter below from NSF Director, Dr. France A. Córdova for more information and consider applying through this mechanism if you are conducting applicable research.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of UConn and our research community.

Sincerely,
Radenka

NSF 20-052

Dear Colleague Letter on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

March 4, 2020

Dear Colleague,

In light of the emergence and spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States and abroad, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is accepting proposals to conduct non-medical, non-clinical-care research that can be used immediately to explore how to model and understand the spread of COVID-19, to inform and educate about the science of virus transmission and prevention, and to encourage the development of processes and actions to address this global challenge.

NSF encourages the research community to respond to this challenge through existing funding opportunities. In addition, we invite researchers to use the Rapid Response Research (RAPID) funding mechanism, which allows NSF to receive and review proposals having a severe urgency with regard to availability of or access to data, facilities or specialized equipment as well as quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events. Requests for RAPID proposals may be for up to $200K and up to one year in duration. Well-justified proposals that exceed these limits may be entertained. All questions should be directed either to a program officer managing an NSF program with which the research would be aligned or to rapid-covid19@nsf.gov.

Complete guidance on submitting a RAPID proposal may be found in Chapter II.E.1 of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide.

We ask that all investigators and organizations maintain awareness of the dynamic nature of this event through regular monitoring of official communications from the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization.

NSF has also provided Frequently Asked Questions that address questions associated with NSF proposal submission and award management relevant to research proposals relating to COVID-19 as well as possible impacts of COVID-19 on activities under existing awards and on participation in NSF’s merit review panels; that website will be updated as appropriate.

Sincerely,

Dr. France A. Córdova
Director

Research Shut Down Notice March 23, 2020

Posted on March 22, 2020April 2, 2020 by Jessica McBride

With Governor Lamont’s order for all non-essential businesses to suspend operations, the president, provost and vice president for research have determined that all on-campus research activities on ALL CAMPUSES – UConn, regional and UConn Health – must stop and labs must close by 8 p.m. on Monday March 23.

In addition to faculty, this includes research being conducted by undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars. The only exceptions to this are human subjects clinical trials, research where continued in-person interaction or intervention is needed for the safety and welfare of enrolled subjects, research that is directly connected to addressing the COVID-19 crisis, and research that can be conducted remotely by faculty, staff, and/or students without in-person intervention or interaction with research subjects.

We understand the enormous impact this decision will have on faculty and students. But as we deal with the challenges of a global pandemic as well as the uncertainty of its impact on all aspects of the University and surrounding communities, we must make difficult decisions guided by the principles of health and safety.

Faculty and research staff should follow the Laboratory Ramp-Down Checklist: Procedures for Safely Vacating a Laboratory (updated March 22, 2020) to close down their research and labs.
Research related to COVID-19 can continue, but faculty must submit a Critical Research Infrastructure Inventory form (updated March 22, 2020) indicating they need to begin or continue this work and describe the work (see last question on the form).
Faculty with animals must contact the attending veterinarian for their campus regarding steps to immediately reduce animal numbers and number of cages. Breeding must be reduced to the minimum possible; no increases in cage counts will be permitted and plans should be in place for reductions of cage counts in the future. Labs using aquatic, avian, or other species that are housed outside the vivarium must contact the attending veterinarian regarding how animal care and husbandry operations will be maintained.
Any faculty with critical research infrastructure, such as unique reagents, unique cell lines, equipment, liquid nitrogen stocks, and certain long-term experiments should complete the Critical Research Infrastructure Inventory form. These will be reviewed and the faculty
member will then be advised on how to proceed based on their individual situation.
Any researcher or faculty member who is unable to halt their research by Monday’s deadline or who has a unique situation that needs to be considered should email ovpr@uconn.edu with a description of the situation or need and their recommendation for how it can best be met or addressed. The email should include a phone number(s) where the faculty member can be reached.
Any student or employee who feels they have been asked unreasonably to continue on campus research beyond Monday’s deadline should contact the dean of their school or college and the OVPR without fear of retaliation.

For now, the shut-down of labs will be in effect until April 22, 2020. We will assess and monitor the status as events change daily. However, you should plan for a remote-work research operation and lab closure that could last for several weeks or months.

Frequently Asked Questions: Research & COVID-19

UConn Health researchers can find guidance on this subject by visiting Guidance on UConn Health General Use PPE for Research.

Faculty, staff and researchers who cannot do their jobs from home and are approved by a department head or dean can submit requests through online web forms for face masks, hand sanitizer, pre-packaged disinfectant spray with paper towels and gloves through University Business Services. Other PPE can also be obtained during the normal procurement process through HuskyBuy. The provisions apply to employees at the Storrs and regional campuses, along with the agricultural extension offices.

Guidelines and requirements for human subjects research have been developed. These guidelines detail the minimum safety procedures that must be in place in order for UConn and UConn Health investigators to be approved by the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) to reopen or initiate new human subjects research. Principal investigators (PIs) must tailor their safety plans to meet the needs of each individual research situation. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is available to answer safety related questions from PIs. If you have safety related questions, please email ehs@uconn.edu if your human subject research activities are conducted at the Storrs or regional campuses or call (860) 679-2723 if these activities are taking place at UConn Health.

• Consider using phone, video call (e.g. WebEx or Microsoft Teams), or email.
• In those situations where in-person interactions are necessary due to the therapeutic nature or safety and welfare of participants, evaluate whether interventions or interactions can be delayed or reduced in number and/or in frequency.
• Align in-person interventions or interactions to coincide with clinical care.
• Researchers should remember that such changes must be submitted to the IRB and approved before they are implemented, except when necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the participant, in which case they may be implemented and promptly reported to the IRB.

Please see Guidance for Reopening Research Involving Human Subjects for more information.

If a Principal Investigator determines that a change to the implementation of the protocol is necessary, a request for modification is to be submitted to the IRB. For example, if the PI determines that all subject interviews will be conducted by phone vs. in person, a request for modification should be submitted to the IRB. As with any modification, the change should be clearly described to the IRB. For example, changes that will only occur for a limited time should be described accordingly (e.g. “while the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, subject interviews will be conducted by phone whenever possible”). When possible, approval for such changes is to be received prior to the change being implemented. However, if a change in protocol is required to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to subjects, the PI may implement that change and report it to the IRB within five business days.

Protocol deviations within the control of the research team are to be reported to the IRB within five business days. Non-compliance that is not within the control of the research team and that does not pose risks to subjects is to be reported to the IRB at the time of continuation or study closure, whichever comes first. For example, if a subject declines to come to a study visit due to general concerns about COVID-19, and missing that visit will not place the subject at risk, this would be tracked by the study team and reported to the IRB at study continuation or closure. Likewise, if the institution makes a policy decision that prevents the study team from fully implementing the approved protocol, the deviations would be tracked and reported at study continuation or closure, provided the subjects were not put at risk. For example, if the institution limited access to only those studies providing or needing clinical care, subjects would not be able to come on site for interview/survey procedures. It is anticipated that the tracking of protocol deviations will be the most prevalent course of action during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An unanticipated problem is any unforeseen occurrence that involves risk to the subject or others, and that is related to or is possibly related to either a research intervention or interaction, or the conduct of the study in general. If a protocol is not able to be implemented and that inability places the subject at risk (e.g. subjects prevented from coming to institution to receive clinical research intervention and the lack of intervention puts the subject at risk), the PI should report this to the IRB. This may be a single missed visit; or it may become a concern after a certain number of visits are missed.

In summary, it is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to oversee the implementation of the research protocol within the framework of existing IRB policies and procedures.

Yes, at this time all programs listed on the OVPR's Internal Funding page are expected to run as scheduled, although changes to offerings and exact timelines are possible. Any changes in timeline will be noted on the program pages. Please watch for announcements through the Daily Digest/UConn Health Lifeline regarding the opening of these programs. Given recent disruptions, we ask that applicants be prepared for some delays in the processing and notification of results. Current completion estimates can be found on the OVPR's Internal Funding page.

While there are no plans to provide a blanket extension of all currently active OVPR awards, we are sensitive to the impact that COVID-19 has had on many research projects. All award holders who need an extension due to the current situation will be accommodated. Faculty can request no-cost extensions for their internal funding awards using the IFP Project Change Request webform.

At this time, the OVPR encourages faculty to seek external funding if they have time-sensitive research projects that respond to the current crisis. There are a number of mechanisms that focusing on COVID-19 that have been released in recent days and weeks, and these mechanisms offer the best opportunity to receive funding on the scale and timeline needed to effectively move projects forward. A curated list can be found on the OVPR website.

While travel awards cannot be retained for future use or transferred to other trips, you are encouraged to submit a new request and also email Maryann.Markowski@uconn.edu to bring your circumstances to her attention. Given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the OVPR will – as always – make every effort to fund your new request.

Due to increased proposal submissions occurring during this period, sponsored project proposals (including the final budget and draft application) must be submitted well in advance of the deadline and in accordance with SPS’s 5 day minimum processing policy. Additionally, the final application, ready for submission, must be submitted the day before the deadline. With staff working remotely and the challenges this may present, the SPS Proposal Team cannot promise that proposals received less than 48 hours before the deadline or final applications on the day of the deadline will be reviewed and submitted on time.

Timeline:

5 days but no later than 48 hours before the deadline: The final and complete proposal (narrative documents including abstract, project description and references cited may be in draft) including all internal forms must be provided to the SPS Proposal Team no later than 48 hours prior to the deadline (e.g., a proposal due Wednesday at 5pm must be submitted to SPS Proposal Team by 5pm on Monday).
24 hours before the deadline: Final science must be uploaded or submitted to SPS Proposal Team 24 hours prior to the deadline (e.g., proposal due Wednesday at 5pm, final science must be submitted to SPS Proposal Team by 5pm on Tuesday).
Proposals submitted after this time will not be prioritized over other proposals in process and may not be submitted on time.

If you are supported by Faculty Services Pre-award see FAQ “What are the submission deadlines for proposals prepared by Faculty Services and sent to SPS Proposal team for submission to the sponsor?”

Faculty Services Pre-Award staff are telecommuting and will work remotely to prepare the proposal and submit to the SPS Proposal Team for final review and submission. Because all staff are telecommuting application materials must be submitted to Faculty Services well in advance of the deadline to facilitate a successful proposal submission. The following deadlines have been established.

Timeline:

1 week before deadline: PIs who are supported by Faculty Services must provide final and complete proposal documents (narrative documents including abstract, project description and references cited may be in draft) to Faculty Services one week prior to the deadline (e.g., documents for a proposal due on Friday must be sent the Friday before the deadline).
48 hours before submission deadline: The final science must be submitted to Faculty Services 48 hours prior to the deadline so Faculty Services can meet deadlines to the SPS. Proposal Team (see FAQ, “Will my proposal be submitted to the sponsor?”).
Proposals received outside these timeframes will not be prioritized ahead of other proposals in progress and may not be submitted on time.

Project Management: COVID-19 may impact performance of sponsored projects, e.g., cancelled travel, temporary loss of personnel, delays in acquiring equipment and supplies, and interruption of other essential services. It is important to remain in communication with your sponsor regarding any delays or other challenges you experience:

Federal grants and cooperative agreements: UConn and UCH are required to request prior approval from Federal award agencies whenever there is a change in the scope of work or key personnel. We also must request prior approval whenever the PI will be disengaged from the project for more than three months and/or experience a 25 percent reduction in time devoted to the project (2 CFR 200.308(c)). Some grants may be subject to more stringent prior approval requirements.

Federal contracts and other sponsored agreements: Please consult your specific terms and conditions to determine when prior approvals are required. Many Federal and industry-sponsored contracts are subject to strict deliverable due dates. Even if your sponsor is sympathetic with the delay, it is generally necessary to modify the contract to reflect the revised deliverable schedule.

Subawards and subcontracts: Please monitor all subrecipients to ensure they making adequate progress. If a subrecipient is unable to perform and/or meet deadlines, it may impact your performance as well. Please communicate with your sponsor regarding any such challenges.

Reimbursement for cancelled travel: Many sponsors are allowing for cancelled travel costs to be directly charged to awards. See federal guidance at COVID-19 Sponsor Issued Guidance.

(from NIH FAQ) Yes, this would qualify as a foreign component as per the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 1.2- Definition of Terms, which defines a foreign component as “the performance of any significant scientific element or segment of a project outside of the United States, either by the recipient or by a researcher employed by a foreign organization, whether or not grant funds are expended.”

Federal sponsors have adopted administrative relief granted from the Office of Management and Budget for grants. Specific guidance by sponsor is available on the OVPR COVID –19 website. In general OMB provided for agencies to extend awards which were active as of March 31, 2020 and scheduled to expire prior or up to December 31, 2020 to grant an automatic no cost extension upon request of for a period of up to twelve (12) months. Supplements are not addressed in the OMB guidance. Sponsor guidance has so far stated that supplemental funds are not guaranteed.

Specific guidance by sponsor is available on the OVPR COVID-19 resource page.

COVID-19 is an extraordinary circumstance. Faculty and researchers should reach out to their program officer to keep them informed about delays to the project. It is anticipated that agencies and sponsors will generally recognize the unique circumstance and will be flexible if they can, including granting no-cost extension if needed. Note that this applies to grant awards; contracts requiring deliverables by a certain date may need to invoke their Force Majeure clause. If you are experiencing this issue on a contract, contact Sponsored Program Services for assistance.

Researchers should document the actual impact of COVID-19 on the progress of their grants to provide substantiation for any future no-cost time extension request. Under these unprecedented circumstances it is believed that most sponsors will approve no cost extensions related to the impacts of COVID-19. However many sponsors have not yet released guidance on this matter so it remains unknown at this point.

(from NIH FAQs) Recipients should document COVID-19 effects and state that research outcomes are not available at this time. Recipients should outline when they believe they will be able to include details related to the disruptions to the research efforts.

(from NIH FAQs) NIH understands the potential effects of COVID-19 on the progress of NIH supported research. Recipients must contact the funding IC to alert them of any effects on the NIH funded research. NIH is committed to working with its applicants and recipients during this public health emergency. In addition, NIH recognizes that there may be delays in submission of RPPRs and other reports. See NOT-OD-20-086 for details on late submission.

Please see Guidance on the Preparation of NIH Research Performance Progress Report (RPPRs) and COVID-19 Impacts for assistance from UConn SPS to submit RPPRs.

Cell phones used solely for the purposes of the grant may be a defensible charge to the grant in these circumstances, particularly for studies involving large numbers of subjects. The PI/department should, however, request prior written approval of the funding agency for this cost. Requests for prior approval should be submitted to Sponsored Program Services. Program Officer approval by itself is not sufficient to constitute approval. If approved, the PI/department authorizing the charges would need to oversee the purchases and use of the phones to ensure that they were used exclusively for the project; if used for multiple projects, cost allocations must reflect relative usage. Documentation should be retained in the department’s grant file. See the Wireless Communication Device and Plan Stipend Policy for additional information.

Please see Guidance for Reopening Research Involving Human Subjects for more information.

GUIDANCE:

Per recent communications from the University and HR, all full- and part-time salaried employees paid on regular payrolls at UConn and UConn Health, including employees paid in whole or part on sponsored projects, will continue to be paid until May 20, 2020 regardless of whether or not they are able to continue working. This date may be extended based on developments over the next few weeks. For further information, please refer to published HR guidance for timecard coding under various COVID-19 scenarios. If work on the sponsored projects is able to continue, there is no change to time reporting.

The following FAQs address questions for full- and/or part-time salaried employees paid on sponsored projects.

Discuss options for telecommuting with your supervisor and/or principal investigator(s) of projects on which you are working. If you are unable to telecommute, you should follow the HR guidance for coding paid time or accrued time usage for employees who are time reporters. If you are a UConn time reporter, please refer to the HR FAQs on the UConn website. If you are a UConn Health time reporter, please refer to HR guidance on the UConn Health website.

If full- or part-time salaried research positions on a sponsored project were planned to end or the funding for the project ends and the employee was paid from regular payroll, research positions may be cut back. Except as otherwise noted here and until June 16, 2020 (or as extended by the University), no full- or part-time salaried positions paid from regular payroll should be cut back or terminated because of the University’s COVID-19 response unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as a sponsor withdrawing support. Contact HR if you have extenuating circumstances.

Pay and use of leave for full- and part-time employees on sponsored projects (regardless of percentage of funding from the grant) is the same as for other employees (including whether or not accrued time needs to be taken or if the University is providing some other form of paid leave). See the HR guidance and FAQs on UConn’s Coronavirus website or email hr@uconn.edu if you are at Storrs or a regional campus. If you are employed by UConn Health, see the HR guidance at the UConn Health Coronavirus website.

The following FAQs address questions for Principal Investigators (PIs) who supervise full- and/or part-time salaried employees paid on sponsored projects, including postdoctoral research associates and graduate assistants.

If an employee is working remotely and contributing to the project, then salary can be charged to the project.
If an employee cannot contribute to their current project but can contribute to another sponsored project or school activity, the salary must be moved to that funding source.
If an employee cannot perform job functions on a sponsored project due to illness, HR policies and procedures apply.
If an employee is temporarily unable to work on a sponsored project because of campus research closures (for a period not to extend beyond June 16, 2020 unless that date is extended by the University), their salary can still be charged in accordance with their previously established allocation when the sponsor(s) allows for these charges. See below for additional guidance. Sponsor approval may also be required if the Principal Investigator or other key personnel must disengage from the project for more than three months and/or reduce their total effort by 25% or more.

Telecommuting should be pursued as a first course of action. If the work cannot be completed remotely to meet an end date, then you should contact your Program Officer to discuss next steps which may include requesting a no cost extension or modifying the scope of work. Requests for a no cost extension or change in scope must be submitted through Sponsored Program Services to the sponsor.

If your lab staff are unable to telecommute, you should follow the HR guidance for coding paid time or accrued time usage for employees who are time reporters. If your staff are UConn time reporters, please refer to the HR FAQs on the UConn website. If your staff are UConn Health time reporters, please refer to HR guidance on the UConn Health website.

Many federal grant sponsors (HHS [including NIH], NSF, USAID, and DOD) are allowing salaries to be charged even when no work is able to be performed on the project. Salaries can continue to be charged until April 30, 2020 (or as extended by the University) as long as funding sources allow, funds are available, and the pay is consistent with the University’s salary payment and leave practices. Contact Sponsored Program Services if you have questions about the allowability of salary charges when no work is being completed:

UConn Storrs and Regional Campuses, contact your sponsored project team lead.
UConn Health, contact David Larkin or Jun Zhang.

If full- or part-time salaried research positions on a sponsored project were planned to end or the funding for the project ends, research positions can be cut back. Except as otherwise noted here and until June 16, 2020 (or as extended by the University), no full- or part-time salaried positions paid from regular payroll should be cut back or terminated because of the University’s COVID-19 response unless there are extenuating circumstances (such as a sponsor withdrawing support). Contact HR if you have extenuating circumstances.

When work is able to recommence, many federal sponsors will permit charges to projects that are necessary to resume activities supported by the award, consistent with applicable federal costing principles and provided the costs benefit the project. Supplemental funding from federal agencies is not guaranteed.

Pay and use of leave practices for full- and part-time employees on sponsored projects (regardless of percentage of funding from the grant) is the same as for other employees (including whether or not accrued time needs to be taken or if the University is providing some other form of paid leave). See the HR guidance and FAQs on UConn’s Coronavirus website or email hr@uconn.edu if you are at Storrs or a regional campus. If you are employed by UConn Health, see the HR guidance at the UConn Health Coronavirus website.

Contract terms and conditions often vary from grant terms and conditions made from the same federal sponsor. If you are able to continue work on a research contract, then it is business as usual. If work is not able to continue, contact Sponsored Program Services:

UConn Storrs and Regional Campuses, contact your sponsored project team lead.
UConn Health, contact David Larkin or Jun Zhang.

Grants or other sponsored projects may not be charged for cancelled travel costs unless the sponsor specifically allows it. Some sponsors have released guidance that allows for these costs to be charged due to the national coronavirus emergency. The University is closely monitoring federal sponsor guidance for any change in requirements due to the impact of the Coronavirus. The following are some sponsors have released guidance:

National Institutes for Health (NIH)

NIH has released guidance allowing for these costs to be directly charged to the grant when they would have been otherwise allowable, see Flexibilities Available for Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19.

National Science Foundation (NSF)

NSF has released guidance allowing for these costs to be directly charged to the grant. Per NSF, recipients who incur costs related to the cancellation of events, travel, or other activities necessary and reasonable for the performance of the award, or the pausing and restarting of grant funded activities due to the public health emergency, are authorized or charge these costs to their award.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

In accordance with published FAQs, abnormal or additional transportation costs due to COVID-19 disruptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The determination of whether or not the abnormal or additional transportation costs are reasonable and reimbursable is the responsibility of your Contracting Officer, Grants Officer, or Agreements Officer. Again, please exercise reasonable caution and follow the travel guidance issued by United States federal agencies like the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of State

Department of Energy (DoE)

Per a memo dated March 13, 2020, The Office of Science will not consider changes to planned travel caused by the cancellation of meeting, quarantines, closures, or other public health measures to be a change in scope of an award requiring agency prior approval. Rebudgeting funds that does not create a change in scope does not require agency approval.

Department of Defense (DOD)

DOD released FAQs which state “DOD will allow nonrefundable travel expenses incurred for travel canceled due to COVID-19 to be charged to active awards in agreement with OMB Memorandum M-20-17. Grantees must follow applicable institution policy on allowable expenses for travel.”

Federal agencies share institutional concerns about the safety of researchers. If the PI (organizer) believes it would be unsafe to hold the conference, the organizer should confer with his or her program officer and grants management specialist to decide whether to cancel the meeting, postpone the meeting, or convert the meeting to an on-line format in addition to seeking approval for cancellation fees and other associated costs. If approved by the agency, once cancelled, the non-refundable costs for the venue would be an allowable charge to the project, assuming the project was funding those costs in the first place. In general, the costs for participants should follow the funding stream intended to pay for their attendance; if the conference grant was reimbursing all or part of the participation costs for all attendees, it may be appropriate to also charge some or all of their cancellation fees. If participants were covering their own attendance costs (from sponsored or non-sponsored sources), then then the cancellation costs should follow the fund source funding their participation. Contact SPS if you plan to seek this approval for assistance.

There are going to be many unexpected costs associated with the pandemic. The impact is going to strain resources at all levels of the University, and PIs should plan on using resources at their disposal (IDC and DCAA accounts) to the extent available. In addition, there are several initiatives at the federal level seeking supplemental funding to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on research programs. Updates will be communicated as they are available.

Employees who are approved to telecommute must also follow certain IT and privacy requirements. Please visit the University of Connecticut and UConn Health IT websites that have guides to telecommuting, which provides you with forms, tools and best practices for working from home.

UConn Health Employees Required IT Security Training: All employees are required to complete a new IT Security Module in SABA, which highlights best practices while telecommuting, whether full-time or on a limited basis. As we expect this situation with coronavirus to continue to impact our working arrangements, this training will be sent via email to, and will be required for, ALL UConn Health employees. If you have any questions about this training, please contact Carrie Gray, (860) 679-2295 cagray@uchc.edu.

COVID-19 Guidance for the UConn Research Community

As most labs have already resumed activity, and given the state of COVID-19 transmission in CT and regionally, there is no longer any additional, special guidance for research labs beyond university guidance and requirements for general operations. All research labs must continue to adhere to university wide and campus specific guidance and requirements.

UConn and Regional Campuses specific guidance and requirements

UConn Health specific guidance and requirements

This page will continue to be updated regularly with guidance about research activities at the University of Connecticut.

We thank you for your dedication to the health and safety of your labs and the UConn community.

Principles

The health and safety of faculty, staff, students, patients, the public, and human research subjects will be protected.

Directives and guidance from local, state, and federal authorities to minimize disease spread and exposure will be followed, such as restrictions related to essential businesses, social distancing, reduced density, stay-at-home, and masks.
Principal Investigators (PIs) remain responsible for providing direction and oversight of their projects, labs, and/or research sites, and personnel including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff.

Approval from the OVPR for “Resuming Research Activity” is no longer required for conducting research at any UConn campus.
Lab and research personnel must follow University wide and campus specific COVID-19 requirements.
Labs and research programs should continue to have and refine plans to immediately halt or ramp down research activities, if required.
Requirements for undergraduate participation in research can be found at Guidance for Fall Undergraduate Research and Independent Study Courses has been issued.

COVID-19 Research Ramp Down

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Jessica McBride

Dear Colleagues,

We appreciate the thoughtful comments and concerns raised in response to our communication on March 13, 2020, which provided guidance on developing research continuity plans. We understand that additional guidance is needed and our office is preparing a more detailed FAQ, which should be available on March 18, 2020.

The status and impact of COVID-19 is rapidly evolving and it is imperative that researchers at UConn and UConn Health take action to reduce COVID-19 exposure and spread. In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the University is expected to maintain social distancing by reducing the density of people working in our research laboratories, facilities, and programs. Researchers will begin immediately to ramp down research activities, including laboratory, animal, and non-therapeutic human subjects research. Where possible, research activities that can be accomplished remotely can continue. In developing your plans to ramp down research, it is also currently anticipated that critical activities, such as maintaining animals, unique reagents, and essential equipment and materials, can continue until further notice; however, researchers should develop plans to support and continue critical activities with minimum staffing and in accordance with CDC guidelines for COVID-19 prevention. Additional guidance regarding clinical trials, non-therapeutic human subjects research, and animal research will be available in the forthcoming FAQ.

As we work to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19, we must ensure that undergraduates and graduate students working in research facilities and laboratories are able to exercise personal agency regarding their health and well-being. Their supervisors are expected to make appropriate accommodations without engaging in undue influence, coercion, or retaliation. Research staff should work with their supervisors to support individual agency within the requirements to sustain critical operations. Unless notified otherwise, researchers should follow existing sponsor guidelines for allowable and unallowable charges on grants. Our office is actively engaged with sponsor agencies and regulatory bodies and will post updates on the University’s COVID-19 page related to Research.

We understand the difficulties this minimal on-campus activity will pose to research projects and initiatives; however, we must prioritize the safety, health, and well-being of our community and work in concert with public health officials to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Dr. Radenka Maric
Vice President for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
UConn/UConn Health

Important NIH teleconference on Covid-19 Monday, March 16, 2020

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Jessica McBride

Dear UConn Community,

Research!America is hosting a conference call on Monday, March 16th from 1:30 to 2:30 PM with NIH Deputy Director Lawrence Tabak. Dr. Tabak will discuss NIH’s efforts to ensure research institutions and scientists are accorded the flexibility needed as they confront COVID-19-related research disruptions. No need to RSVP for the call (call number below). To dial in:

What: Teleconference with Dr. Larry Tabak
When: 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET, Monday, March 16, 2020
Call-In: 866-876-6756 (toll-free) or 704-288-1165 (U.S.)
Passcode: 737857

The following are additional updates and guidance from the NIH and NSF

o Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 for the National Science Foundation

o NSF website for the research community with detailed guidance on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

o Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 for the National Institutes of Health

o Flexibilities Available to Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19

Cheers,
Radenka

Radenka Maric
Vice President for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
UConn/UConn Health

COVID-19 Research Continuity Planning and Guidance

Posted on March 12, 2020March 17, 2020 by Jessica McBride

Dear Colleagues:

This guidance is being provided to help address questions regarding planning and preparation for potential impacts to research amid the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. UConn is actively monitoring and responding to the changing circumstances surrounding this situation, and information is posted and updated frequently on the following site: UConn Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates.

Life safety and the good health of our research workforce, students, faculty, staff, and animals remain our highest priority. Research should continue only to the extent that it can be conducted competently and safely. We encourage open communication to ensure agreement about procedures for students and staff working in labs and research facilities. Faculty should be especially mindful of the competing needs of students who may have concerns about their research progress and degree completion, as well as their personal health and well being. We ask that faculty work to find creative and flexible ways to accommodate the needs and concerns of students and staff working in their labs.

With the ongoing concern about the spread of this disease, laboratories and research facilities should begin to plan for the possibility of a significant disruption to routine operations. Each laboratory or research facility is best positioned to create a continuity plan that will meet their unique needs. While not intended to be all-inclusive, this guidance is provided to aid in the development of your plan. The following describes the current situation, but any of the below information may be modified as the situation develops and based on resources and personnel constraints in Storrs, at UConn Health, and within the OVPR.

Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) Specific Information

UConn and UConn Health will maintain essential infrastructure, however, this may need to be modified depending on resources and personnel availability.
Given that many staff may be working remotely, the primary mode of communication should be email rather than phone.
Assume that research administration units such as Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance will continue to provide services.
Assume that Animal Care Services and Environmental Health and Safety will maintain their critical functions.
Additional guidance will be forthcoming regarding travel bans and cancellation of activities on grant-funded projects.
Researchers should continue to follow sponsor requirements for grant-funded activities and use existing mechanisms to make adjustments or modifications as needed.
Sponsors continue to release guidance. Below are examples from the NIH and NSF. You should monitor your funding agency for additional information.

o Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 for the National Science Foundation

o NSF website for the research community with detailed guidance on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

o Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 for the National Institutes of Health

o Flexibilities Available to Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19

Research Continuity Guidance for Laboratories and Research Facilities

Considerations in developing your plan:

A significant percentage of your workforce may be out sick or unable to come to work.
Access to campus buildings, offices, laboratories and other facilities access may be limited or prohibited.
Essential research infrastructure, such as power and telecommunications, will be maintained. However, this may need to be modified as the situation develops based on resources and personnel constraints.
Orders for critical supplies may be delayed.
Core facilities and other fee-for-service resources may not be available.
Essential research support functions will be maintained. However, this may need to be modified as the situation develops based on resources and personnel constraints. At some point, research support functions may need to be curtailed, delayed, or suspended.
Research activities should only be continued to the extent there are qualified and trained staff available to safely and competently conduct those activities.

Steps you can take now to ensure continuity of critical functions:

Ensure that you have access to emergency contact information for your critical staff, including cell phone numbers.
Review contingency plans and emergency procedures with your staff.
Identify procedures and processes that require regular personnel attention (e.g., cell culture maintenance, animal studies).
Assess and prioritize critical activities.
Identify any research experiments that can be ramped down, curtailed, or delayed.
Identify personnel needed to safely perform essential activities.
Ensure cross-trained staff have the appropriate training and competency to perform research activities correctly and safely.
Ensure you are documenting critical step-by-step instructions in your Standard Operating Procedures.
Coordinate with colleagues who have similar research activities to identify ways to ensure coverage of critical activities.
Avoid performing high-risk procedures alone. When working alone is necessary, exercise maximum caution. Have a notification and safety plan when working alone.
Ensure that high-risk materials (radioactive, biohazards, chemicals) are secured at all times.
Maintain a sufficient inventory of critical supplies that may be impacted by global shipping delays.
Prioritize. Depending upon the nature of your research, consider prioritizing work that can only be carried out in your research facility, and put off tasks amenable to remote work, such as data analysis. Obtaining results and data now that could be analyzed remotely in the future is a potential option that might create future flexibility.

Remote access:

Ensure that those involved in research projects have access to information they need to carry out work remotely (e.g., access to literature, existing datasets and research-related files, and meeting software, such as Zoom).
Ensure data and information are backed-up and available remotely.
Test and update remote work technologies such as VPN and Zoom conferencing.
Review the UConn policies on alternate work arrangements, like telecommuting.

Measures you can take to prevent the spread of illness among your group:

Follow CDC Guidelines on Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities

Research continuity summary:

Advance planning will allow everyone in your research group to focus on their own efforts and work together as a team, rather than wondering how they and their team members are to proceed.

Quick Checklist:

Identify critical operations.
Identify critical personnel and ensure they know what to do in the event of suspended operations. Establish a contingency plan for your laboratory to maintain critical functions should someone in your laboratory become ill or students are not available to perform work.
Remind personnel of your communication plan or create one if not in place.
Ensure remote access to files, data, servers, etc.
Prioritize experiments.
Follow UConn’s requirements related to non-essential travel, and check travel restrictions before making travel plans.

Sponsored Program Services (SPS)

We expect that SPS will continue to be able to submit proposals, but PIs should be mindful of deadlines and submit proposals well in advance. Typically, federal agencies are very flexible about deadlines under difficult circumstances beyond our control. However, if agencies are officially closed, proposals will most likely remain in a queue, pending resumption of agency operations – as has been the case during federal budget-related shutdowns. Additional information will be posted on the OVPR website as it becomes available.

Human Research Protection Program (HRPP/IRB)

The Human Research Protection Program (HRPP/IRB) has established processes to work and convene remotely. New submissions, amendments, continuing review, and other reportable information should be submitted as required. Human subjects research protocols do not need to be modified unless COVID- 19 exposure/symptoms are being added as a study specific exclusion criteria, or information related to COVID-19 exposure/symptoms will be collected as part of the study, or study related procedures or processes such as data collection by phone, video call, or online are being implemented. Consideration should be given to delaying interactions with study participants where possible. This could involve canceling or postponing study visits or conducting study visits remotely where possible. If interactions with study participants need to continue, follow CDC Guidelines on Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities in making determinations about research participation. Additional information will be posted on the OVPR website as it becomes available.

IACUC and Animal Care Services

The IACUC has established processes to work and convene remotely. New submissions, amendments, annual and three-year renewals, and other reportable information should be submitted as required. Additional information will be posted on the OVPR website as it become available.

Animal Care Services has established a plan to maintain animal husbandry activities. This plan includes cross training research staff to assist with husbandry activities in the event animal care staff are not available due to illness. Additional information will be posted on the OVPR website as it becomes available.

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

The IBC has established processes to work and convene remotely. New submissions, amendments, renewals, and other reportable information should be submitted as required. Additional information will be posted on the OVPR website as it becomes available.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

EHS has established procedures to maintain essential research support. However, essential research support functions may need to be modified as the situation develops based on resources and personnel constraints. At some point, research support functions may need to be curtailed, delayed or suspended. Research activities should be continued only to the extent there are qualified and trained staff available to safely and competently conduct those activities. Facility security and security of high-risk materials (radioactive, biohazards, chemicals) should be maintained. Additional information will be posted on the EHS website as it becomes available.

Center for Open Research Resources and Equipment (COR²E)

Our intention is to keep core research facilities managed by COR²E operational. That said, many of our facilities have very limited staffing (some of which include student employees) and as such, may necessitate a reduction in services or even closure. Additionally, many of our core facilities rely on equipment and services from external vendors who may also experience delays that could transfer to our internal services. Facilities may also choose to limit/stagger usage of equipment to reduce contact between facility users. Users of the facilities are encouraged to plan their experiments accordingly and visit their respective core facility homepages and/or contact facility directors for the most current information (though changes to services and schedules will also be communicated to existing facility users via email). Finally, as shared communal facilities, we will be working to keep shared equipment spaces as disinfected as possible, but we also ask for users’ help in doing so (washing hands before using shared equipment, staying home at any sign of illness, etc.) If additional updates are needed, they will be posted both here and on the COR²E website homepage.

Technology Incubation Program (TIP)

TIP companies should anticipate being able to continue operations in the TIP space as long as UConn and UConn Health can assure this can be done safely based on the available infrastructure support, and only to the extent TIP companies have appropriately trained staff to continue operations competently and safely.
TIP companies should have their own disaster/emergency and business continuity plans.
TIP companies should monitor the UConn COVID-19 website for current information.

Sincerely,

Radenka Maric
Vice President for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
University of Connecticut

NSF 2026 Idea Machine

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Jessica McBride

Dear Colleagues,

In the summer of 2018, the National Science Foundation (NSF) launched an innovative competition, the NSF 2026 Idea Machine, to crowdsource big challenges and big ideas that could help tackle them. The Idea Machine aimed to set the stage for breakthrough research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and STEM education through the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and beyond. NSF received around 800 entries from established researchers, students, teachers, and even high school and middle school students from all across the country. Those 800 big ideas have now been narrowed down to seven finalists, which were announced last week.

As we continue to work towards fulfilling President Katsouleas’ bold vision to boost research, scholarship, and creative works at UConn, I encourage you to visit the NSF 2026 Idea Machine site and learn about the program’s goals and the recently selected finalists. This provides UConn’s research community with an opportunity to see what is next for the NSF’s long-term agenda and align our activities based on our existing and emerging strengths.

Thank you for your continued commitment to grow UConn’s profile in research, scholarship, and the arts.

Cheers,
Radenka

Dr. Radenka Maric
Vice President for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
UConn/UConn Health
Professor in Sustainable Energy
438 Whitney Road Ext., Unit 1006
Storrs, CT 06269
Storrs: 860.486.3621
UCH: 860.679.2230
research.uconn.edu

Export of Research Materials Abroad

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Jessica McBride

To the UConn/UConn Health research community:

The Council on Government Relations (COGR) has issued an alert regarding recent situations where researchers have attempted to export research materials abroad. The FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies have increased their surveillance efforts to identify transport of research materials and verify that those exports comply with federal laws. These efforts are believed to be part of a nation-wide enforcement action to control the transport of biological materials that may present a threat to our national security and/or reduce the theft of intellectual property developed in the US, much of it with federal funds.

Transporting certain materials may require import/export permits or other documentation from federal agencies, including US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the FDA, USDA, Fish and Wildlife, and the CDC.

Anyone with questions should contact the applicable federal agency or the UConn Export Control Office (exportcontrol@uconn.edu) for assistance.

NIH Asks For Your Feedback

Posted on December 3, 2019December 3, 2019 by Ellen Ciesielski

The Office of the Vice President for Research would like to share some information regarding data sharing with researchers who may be affected.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is requesting comments on the draft NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing and Supplemental Draft Guidance.

NIH will be hosting an informational webinar on the draft NIH policy and guidance on Monday, December 16^th from 12:30-2:00 PM ET. The purpose of the webinar is to provide information on the draft policy and answer questions about the public comment process.

Submit your comments to NIH by January 10, 2020. Additional information can be found in this NIH blog post. Questions about the draft may be sent to the NIH Office of Science Policy at SciencePolicy@od.nih.gov.

For questions, please contact Research Compliance Monitor, Ellen Ciesielski at 860.679.6004.

OVPR Quarterly Reports – FY19Q4

Posted on October 9, 2019February 16, 2021 by Jessica McBride

Dear Colleagues,

Now that data have been finalized, I would like to provide you with the FY19 Proposals, Awards, and Expenditures report relating to sponsored program activity—both research and education/service—managed by Sponsored Program Services within the Office of the Vice President for Research at UConn and UConn Health.

Proposals, Awards, Expenditures: FY15-FY19

In the report, data are presented in two ways: by the PI’s Academic Home Department and by the Managing Department or Center/Institute. Please refer to the first page of the report for definitions and information regarding the data. Should you have any questions regarding this report, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please visit the OVPR website to view current and archived reports: OVPR Reports.

Please note that we have included an additional Summary of Sponsored Program Activity, which includes the Effective F&A rate on awards. This information provides a snapshot of our activity as compared to the same period last year.

While fluctuations from year to year in both grant awards and proposal submissions are common, the government shut down in January further impacted the timing of some awards and proposal submissions this year, which likely contributed to the reductions in overall numbers of individual submitted proposals and awards received. New awarded amounts are up in total, with Storrs and regional campuses ending the year slightly below last year’s totals and UConn Health receiving $8.4M more than last year. Overall dollars requested in proposals increased from $1.24M in FY18 to $1.26M in FY19.

The OVPR continues to seek creative solutions that allow UConn and UConn Health to grow our research enterprise through federal funding, industry partnerships, and collaboration with foundations. I am confident we can continue upward trends by continuing to work together, aggressively applying for extramural funding, and pursuing new channels of support for the tremendous research, scholarship, and creative activities taking place every day at UConn and UConn Health.

Thank you for your continued commitment and contribution to our students, to your research and scholarship, and to UConn/UConn Health.

Sincerely,

Radenka

Dr. Radenka Maric
Vice President for Research
UConn/UConn Health

Presentation Archive

2019

Deans Council (October 1, 2019)

Research Involving Cannabis, Hemp, and Marijuana

Cannabis-related research – including research involving marijuana and hemp – must conform to federal and state laws as well as University of Connecticut (“UConn”) policies.

Under the Federal 2018 Agricultural Improvement Act (Farm Bill), hemp is no longer a controlled substance. Hemp is legally defined as Cannabis sativa L. that contains not more than 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) content on a dry-weight basis. The Farm Bill currently restricts the growing of hemp to states that have established a Hemp Research Pilot Program.

Connecticut recently established such a program with the passing of Public Act 19-3: “An Act Concerning a Pilot Program for Hemp Production.” This act established the state of Connecticut Hemp Research Pilot Program (HRPP) to support research that advances the Department of Agriculture's understanding of hemp agriculture at national, regional, and local levels. This legislation sets the state requirements for hemp growers, processors, and manufacturers to obtain a license, and establishes requirements for licensing, testing, and inspection. State requirements apply to the cultivation, processing, and manufacturing of hemp. State requirements also apply to academic and scientific research, teaching, and testing involving hemp.

UConn researchers who wish to participate in the Connecticut’s HRPP must register through the University and follow University guidelines related to growing, processing, and manufacturing hemp. For more information on registering through the University, email contact information to HempProgram@uconn.edu.

Marijuana, including Cannabis sativa L. that contains more than 0.3% delta-9 THC, remains a Schedule I controlled substance, the most restrictive status, under the Controlled Substances Act. The possession, production, processing, sale, or growth of marijuana remains illegal under Federal law, except under special licensing requirements established by the Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”). Research with marijuana requires the researcher to have both a Federal Schedule I and a Connecticut Schedule II controlled substance license, and s/he may only receive marijuana from other DEA registrants or from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (“NIDA”) approved sources. UConn researchers must also follow the University’s Controlled Substances Policy or the UConn Health Controlled Substances Policy. For more information regarding marijuana research, contact HempProgram@uconn.edu.

FAQs

Once issued a license, you must comply with the provisions of Public Act 19-3 (the “Public Act”), the federal act (as defined in the Public Act), and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (“DOAG”) Compliance Policy. As a condition of being granted a grower license, you, as the principle investigator and on-site manager listed on the license, and the University agree to the requirements listed below. Note that submissions and notifications must be made through the University:
1. Comply with instructions from the DOAG and law enforcement agencies;
2. Agree to pay DOAG applicable licensing and inspection fees;
3. Consent to entry onto, and inspection of all buildings, equipment, supplies, vehicles, and records located on this real property where hemp or plants or materials are located, or licensed to be located, by the commissioner, and law enforcement agencies, at any time, with or without cause, and with or without advance notice;
4. Comply with DOAG’s criminal history records check requirements; and
5. Consent to forfeit and destroy, without compensation:
a. Material found to have a THC content in excess of three-tenths percent (0.3%) on a dry weight basis;
b. Hemp plants located in an area that is not licensed by the department; and
c. Hemp plants not accounted for in required reports for the department.
6. Notify the DOAG of all hemp growing, handling, and storage locations, including legal description and GPS coordinates in decimal degrees to the ten-thousandth place, and receive department approval for those locations prior to having hemp on those premises.
7. Submit a Site Modification Request Form, the appropriate fees based on the requested changes, and obtain prior written approval from the commissioner before implementing any change to the plot(s) stated in the grower license application.
8. Not grow, handle, or store hemp in any location(s) other than the location(s) listed in the grower license application.
9. Not interplant hemp with any other crop without express written permission from the DOAG.
10. Not apply and not allow anyone else to apply pesticide to hemp except by person(s) who hold a valid permit or certificate, if required, to apply pesticides in accordance with section 22a-54 of the Connecticut general statutes.
11. Comply with all legal requirements regarding minimum distances from certain structures, and outdoor recreational facilities.
12. Acknowledges that the risk of financial or other loss shall be borne solely by the License Holder.
13. Use a record keeping and product coding system for hemp to facilitate the effective tracking of hemp and hemp products. Such plot system shall be capable of tracing hemp placed into the wholesale or retail distribution chain back to the producing plot. Such records shall be maintained for a period of time that exceeds the expected shelf life of the hemp or five (5) years, whichever is longer. Records of hemp product coding and distribution shall be made available immediately upon request of the department or any law enforcement agency.
14. Ensure that any time hemp is in transit within Connecticut, a copy of the grower license, and certificate of analysis showing the sample to have a THC concentration at or below three-tenths (0.3) percent on a dry weight basis, shall be available for inspection upon the request of the commissioner or any law enforcement agency. In the event the hemp being transported is a hemp sample being transported to a laboratory, then the sample shall be contained in a sealed tamper evident sample package and accompanied by the department approved completed chain of custody form for hemp samples. The hemp sample label shall contain, at a minimum, the date and time the sample was collected, licensee name, licensee number, location where the sample originated, identification of the lot the sample represents and a sample identification number or laboratory accession number.
15. Upon request from the commissioner or a law enforcement agency, immediately produce a copy of his or her grower license for inspection.
16. Submit Planting Reports, Harvest/Destruction Reports, Production Reports, and other reports required by the commissioner, on or before the deadlines established in these regulations. These records shall be maintained for at least three (3) years after harvest or destruction of the hemp. These records shall be made available immediately upon request of the department or any law enforcement agency.
17. Scout and monitor plots for volunteer hemp plants and to destroy those volunteer hemp plants for three (3) years past the last date of planting reported to the department.
18. Not to rent land to cultivate hemp from any person who has a state or federal felony conviction for a controlled substance within 10 (ten) years of the date of this agreement.
19. Notify the department of any interaction with any law enforcement agency immediately by phone and follow-up in writing within three (3) calendar days of the occurrence.
20. Immediately notify the department and applicable law enforcement agency of any theft of hemp materials, whether growing or not.
21. Immediately notify the department and applicable law enforcement agency of any unauthorized cultivation of any plant, within each plot.
22. To destroy any hemp or cannabis that is obligated to be destroyed, only in accordance with state and federal law, and the department’s established procedures.
23. Acknowledge that failure to comply with terms and conditions established in the department’s Compliance Policy and any regulations shall constitute grounds for appropriate action, up to and including termination of the grower license and expulsion from the department’s program.
24. Acknowledge that a person who has been expelled from the program shall not be eligible to reapply to the program for a period of five (5) years from the date of expulsion.
25. Have read and understood the state and federal statutes and the department’s Compliance Policy and any regulations related to the conditional grower license that is being issued.
26. Understand the Commissioner shall revoke or terminate any conditional grower license, if the applicant’s or conditional licensee’s, (including signing authority and on-site manager) results do not meet the federal and state criminal history records check, or the requirements of the federal act, the Public Act and the Compliance Policy.

Yes. Hemp and marijuana are varieties of the cannabis plant that are differentiated based on selective breeding. Hemp is bred for its fiber and seed oil. By both federal and state law, hemp cannot contain more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis. THC is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol and is the psychoactive component of marijuana. Marijuana is defined as cannabis that contains greater than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis. Marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance. Schedule I controlled substances are subject to the most intense scrutiny by the DEA. In Connecticut, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture regulates hemp cultivation. Under the U.S. Farm Bill and Connecticut’s Pilot Program, institutions of higher education like UConn have latitude to cultivate and research industrial hemp, including its constituent compounds, without a DEA Schedule I license.

UConn researchers should obtain certified hemp seed only from an agency authorized under the laws of a state, territory, or possession of the United States to officially certify hemp seeds and that has standards and procedures approved by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to assure the genetic purity and identity of the hemp seed certified. The seed must have a certificate or other instrument attesting to its genetic purity and identity.

A qualified yes. CBD and other materials derived from Hemp that contain a THC concentration of less than 0.3% on a dry weight basis are not subject to the Controlled Substances Act if the materials are cultivated and processed pursuant to the U.S. Farm Bill and the Pilot Program. In addition, the sourcing party must be properly licensed (for cultivation/processing) with the state’s proper licensing authorities. Please contact HempProgram@uconn.edu before undertaking such research. They can alert researchers to any issues that may exist with sourcing and licensing requirements.

Only hemp, CBD, and other hemp derivatives that can be traced back to lawfully cultivated Industrial Hemp through proper documentation can be used for research. You should only procure hemp and hemp derivatives from vendors that can provide such documentation. A copy of such documentation must be retained by the researcher. CBD or hemp derived from Industrial Hemp does not require a Connecticut State Hemp License or a DEA Controlled Substance License. However, CBD or hemp that is NOT derived from Industrial Hemp or that you DO NOT have documentation as being derived from Industrial Hemp is considered a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance. Possession of a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance is illegal unless you hold the appropriate State and Federal DEA licensure.

A qualified yes. Hemp materials and products (other than viable seeds) that contain a THC concentration of less than 0.3% on a dry weight basis are not subject to the Controlled Substances Act if the materials and products are cultivated pursuant to the U.S. Farm Bill and the Pilot Program. In addition, the third party must be properly licensed with a State Department of Agriculture’s Industrial Hemp Pilot Program, and its activities must have a research purpose. Thus, a researcher is permitted to receive and perform research on such materials and products from parties with which it enters collaborative research-focused agreements.

No. Marijuana research is defined as research that involves the growth, production, procurement, administration, or use of marijuana. It does not refer to observational research for which the researcher does not grow, produce, procure, or administer marijuana. Marijuana has the same meaning as in the definition provided by Connecticut General Statues § 21a-240(29).

Marijuana is categorized as a Schedule I drug by the DEA under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This means that federal regulations do not permit the use, production, processing, sale, or growth of marijuana, except for medical or research use conducted under special licensing requirements established by the DEA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for use with humans or animals. Typically, research conducted under a DEA license also requires sourcing the marijuana from the NIDA. The U.S. Department of Justice’s (“DoJ”) previous guidance indicating that it will not focus its prosecutorial resources on the sale or use of marijuana in states where a well-regulated legal framework has been established was rescinded in 2018. To date, no exemption from the federal regulations has been granted to any state.

UConn is the recipient of considerable federal funding for research, education, capital projects, and healthcare. Accepting this funding obligates UConn to comply with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug-Free Workplace Act. These federal regulations together prohibit UConn from unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of any controlled substance at the University. Unlike the DoJ’s stance on enforcement of DEA regulations, there has been no statement suggesting that enforcement of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act or the Drug-Free Workplace Act has been, or will be, relaxed.

Consequently, despite the state of Connecticut’s legalization of medical marijuana, there is no provision that allows for the legal research of medical marijuana except as already established and involving compliance with DEA, FDA, and NIDA policies and regulations.

Sponsor

Guidance

Dear Colleague Letter on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

COVID-19 and Research

General Guidance

What is the best way to contact OVPR units?

Do I need any training to participate in research?

How can I get PPE for my lab?

Is there a guide on cleaning and disinfecting?

What should I do if someone in my lab develops symptoms of COVID-19?

Are there travel restrictions for researchers?

Are undergraduate students permitted to return to the labs?

Where can I find information about graduate research and COVID-19?

Where can I find the State, CDC, and other guidelines related to COVID-19?

Animal Research

For changes related to COVID-19, what should be communicated to the IACUC?

Human Subjects Research

Are there any special restrictions or considerations for resuming research involving human subjects?

Are there suggestions about alternatives to in-person interactions or interventions with research participants?

For changes related to COVID-19, what should be submitted to the IRB?

How should Protocol Deviations, Non-Compliance and Unanticipated Problems Related to COVID-19 be Reported to the IRB?

Internal Funding Programs/Research Development

Are OVPR internal funding programs running as expected?

I’m concerned I won’t complete work on my active OVPR award before it expires because of the COVID-19 crisis. Will my award be extended?

Are there internal/external funding opportunities for COVID-19 related research?

AAUP/OVPR Faculty Travel Funding

Can I submit a funding request?

Whom should I contact to discuss my specific travel funding situation?

Is a virtual conference registration eligible for support under this program?

Some or all of my travel costs could not be refunded/credited for a trip canceled due to COVID-19. Will I be reimbursed?

After cancelling a trip due to COVID-19, I received a company credit for future travel. How does that impact my reimbursements?

What if I do not use the credit received for a canceled trip for business travel?

What happens to awarded funds that won’t be used due to COVID-19 (no travel arrangements have yet been made, or all were refunded)?

Can I transfer funds that I won’t use due to COVID-19 to a past or future trip (no travel arrangements had yet been made, or all were refunded)?

Can I hold on to funds for a conference that was postponed if a new date has been selected and I plan to attend (no travel arrangements had yet been made, or all were refunded)?

How do I proceed with receiving reimbursement for travel granted exemption by my dean/EVP?

Whom should I contact with general travel questions?

Proposal Submission

Will my proposal still be submitted to the sponsor?

What are the submission deadlines for proposals prepared by Faculty Services and sent to SPS Proposal team for submission to the sponsor?

Post-Award

What is the general guidance for Sponsored Project Management during the COVID-19 crisis?

What happens if federal employees are unavailable to perform their duties (e.g., issue prior approvals or process awards)?

What is the guidance for Principal Investigators on HR-salary and stipends during the COVID-19 shutdown?

What if I need to request a No-Cost Extension or make other notifications to the Sponsor because of COVID-19?

If a post-doc on an active NIH grant must return home to a foreign country and work remotely due to COVID-19, must this be reported to NIH as a foreign component?

Is my grant automatically eligible for a no-cost extension?

Is the University working to loosen requirements, such as effort reporting?

Can I be reimbursed for costs my lab incurred during the pause on my NIH-funded human subjects research?

Will the hiring and spending freezes apply to external grant funded projects?

Can I use my sponsored funds towards research related to COVID-19?

What is the guidance on sponsored project travel?

Project Progress Issues

How do we address slowdowns or gaps in activities caused by COVID-19 that result in timeline violation?

Will agencies consider longer no-cost time extensions if needed to finish a project after disruption?

What items can be purchased and delivered to an individual’s home?

As a recipient of an NIH grant, what information should be included in RPPRs related to COVID-19?

Purchase of COVID-19 Related Goods and Services

Research studies with a lab component already purchased gloves. Who would pay for other supplies (masks, wipes, etc.), if needed? (3/23/20)

How do we handle personal home/cell phone when calling human subjects/research study participants in a remote working situation?

Can I charge unexpected costs that may arise to the grant? (e.g., additional labor charges for time spent calling study participants) (3/23/20)

HR for Research Staff – Salary and Stipends

Is the guidance different for staff who are fully or partially funded from grants that continue to have funds available during this shut down period?

Is the guidance different for postdoctoral research associates who are fully or partially funded from sponsored projects that continue to have funds available during the shut down period?

Is the guidance different for Graduate Research Assistants fully or partially funded from sponsored projects who cannot work due to a lack of work?

Is the guidance different for special payroll employees who are fully or partially funded from sponsored projects that continue to have funds available during the shutdown period?

I am paid from a grant that ends July 1, but I am unable to complete the work expected because my lab has shut down. What do I do?

What should full- or part-time salaried employees do if they are unable to work on a grant/contract due to the halting of lab/field work because of COVID 19?

I am working on a grant that ends June 1. What happens if the grant is not renewed or other funding is not found for my position?

Can my PI terminate my position even though the sponsored project on which I’m working is not ending?

What happens if I have to self isolate or self-quarantine?

HR for Principal Investigators – Salary & Stipends

What is the general guidance for charging salaries and stipends to grants and contracts?

Is the guidance different for lab staff who are partially or fully funded from grants that continue to have funds available during this shut down period?

Is the guidance different for postdoctoral research associates who are partially or fully funded from grants that continue to have funds available during this shut down period?

Is the guidance different for Graduate Research Assistants who are partially or fully funded from grants that continue to have funds available during this shut down period?

Is the guidance different for special payroll employees who are partially or fully funded from grants that continue to have funds available during this shut down period?

I have a grant that ends July 1, and my lab is unable to complete the work expected because of the shut down. What do I do?

What do I do for full/part-time lab staff who are unable to work on a grant/contract because of the halting of lab/field work due to COVID 19?

My grant ends June 1. What happens if the grant is not renewed or other funding is not found for my staff?