uconn

Cross Campus Collaboration

Enhancing interdisciplinary research is a strategic goal for the University. An important component of this is the strengthening the inter-campus collaborations between Storrs and UConn Health. We can assist faculty in preparing and submitting externally funded inter-campus proposals and awards.

Because UConn (Storrs) and the UConn Health (UCH) are two separate fiscal entities, proposals seeking extramural funds are administered similar to sponsored activity involving any other inter-institutional collaborations – where one institution serves as the lead applicant and the other consortium partner acts as the subawardee.

This section of the website provides educational information and support including tutorials, manuals, job aides, videos, and other reference guides to help and support faculty, staff, and students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding cross campus collaborations.  Each section also contains links for webpages and contact information.

If your question is not addressed in the sections below, please contact either Jen Przybyszewski at jennifer.przybyszewski@uconn.edu or Christine Kaminski at kaminski@uchc.edu for further assistance.

Financial Conflict of Interest

FCOI Webpage

FCOI Contacts

Question:  How is the financial conflict of interest disclosure requirement on a proposal handled when there is a cross-campus collaboration involving a faculty member with a dual appointment at UConn Health and UConn (Storrs, Regionals, School of Law, School of Social Work)?

Answer:    A faculty member may be considered compliant with the financial disclosure requirement as long as the faculty member has a current financial disclosure on record at the campus of their primary department/school.  FCOI training is incorporated into the disclosure forms at both campuses.

 

Question:  How is the financial conflict of interest disclosure requirement on a proposal handled when there is a cross-campus collaboration involving a faculty with dual appointment at UConn Health or UConn and another local institution (e.g., JAX, CCMC)

Answer:  The University FCOI policy applies to faculty members involved in research activities at the University.  Thus, they must have a current financial disclosure on file within the University’s electronic disclosure submission system at the campus of their department/school.

 

Question:  How are reviews of potential financial conflicts of interests for cross-campus research handled?

Answer:  All University faculty investigators responsible for research activities on a cross-campus research project would have a current financial disclosure on record.  The Financial Conflict of Interest in Research Committee (FCOIRC) at the campus of the faculty members’ department/school would review any disclosed significant financial interests when the project involves research activity at that campus.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

Animal Research Webpage

IACUC Contacts

Question: If there’s a collaboration using animals, who needs to hold the protocol?

Answer: There should be an animal protocol in place at the campus where the work will be performed. Personnel from the collaborating campus can be listed on that protocol.

 

Question: If the collaboration requires an animal to be used at both institutions as part of the study, who needs to hold the protocol and who owns the animal?

Answer: A protocol should be in place at each institution to describe the work that is specific to that site. The overarching collaboration should also be described in both protocols, and animal ownership should be transferred when an animal is moved to the secondary institution.

 

Question: If I will be listed on a protocol at my collaborator’s institution, will my home campus training be valid at the collaborating institution?

Answer: It depends. The general IACUC training and Occupational Health and Safety Program enrollment is portable, but training specific to the institution where the animal work will be performed may also be necessary (e.g. facility orientation).

 

Question: If there is a PHS funded grant describing a collaboration between the two campuses, who is responsible for assuring congruency between the grant and the animal protocol?

Answer: The “Prime” institution has the responsibility of assuring congruency.

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

IBC Website

IBC Contacts

 

Question: I am a PI at UCH, but have some research that is conducted at UConn (Storrs and/or regionals). Does my UCH IBC registration cover my research at UConn?

Answer:  No. UConn and UCH have separate IBCs, with different requirements. Therefore IBC registration processes are different between the two campuses. If research is being conducted at UConn by a UCH PI, please contact ibc@uconn.edu, for additional information and assistance in completing the appropriate registration forms. If you are a UConn PI, contact rwallace@uchc.edu .

 

Question: I have samples coming from UCH, and my personnel are conducting the analysis at UConn. Which IBC do I need to contact to complete a registration?

Answer:  If the samples are being analyzed at UConn, an IBC registration will need to be completed through the UConn IBC. If there are any analyses being conducted at UCH, the UCH IBC should be contacted to determine if an IBC registration is necessary.

 

Question:  I am a PI at UCH, but I teach a course at UConn which includes lab teaching activities that involve biological materials. Do I need an IBC registration with the UConn IBC or UCH IBC?

Answer:  A UConn IBC registration is required for these activities. At UConn, all experimental or teaching activities involving biological materials must be registered with the UConn IBC. It should be noted that biological materials includes but is not limited to: recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules (rsNA), bacteria and their phages and plasmids, viruses, biological toxins, fungi, mycoplasmas, prions, and parasites; human and non-human primate tissues, body fluids, blood, blood byproducts, and cell lines, transgenic and wild type animals and plants, animal remains and insects that may harbor zoonotic pathogens. Teaching activities being conducted at UCH may require an IBC registration. The UCH IBC should be contacted to determine if an IBC registration with them is necessary.

 

Question:  I have already taken Biosafety and Bloodborne Pathogens Training at UCH. Do I have to take these trainings at UConn as well?

The training section references Blood Borne Pathogen training specifically, however, there are additional training such as Initial Lab Safety training that are required to conduct research at both locations, so perhaps the language can be shifted to something more neutral such as Each institution offers distinct training packages, please reach out to EH&S at each facility to make sure training requirements are met. Or something similar.

 

Question:  I am a researcher using human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and/or human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). Do I need to register both with the Stem Cell Research Oversight committee (SCRO) and the IBC?

Answer:  It depends. For work at UConn, you need to register with both the SCRO and IBC. At UCH for hESC, you need to register with the SCRO but not the IBC if your experiment is exempt under the NIH Guidelines. If you will be using animals or viral vectors with the cells it is definitely not exempt and you will need to register with the respective (UConn or UCH) IBC. For other experiments with rsNA, it’s always a good idea to consult with the respective IBC. As with any human cells, you need to work at BSL-2 containment and have fulfilled Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training and HBV immunization requirements (documented titer or declination). For hiPSC it’s the same as hESC except for certain uses no SCRO is required. Also, if the cells were reprogrammed with a HIV-based lentiviral vector that was not removed, the cell line will have remaining HIV sequences from the vector which are Risk Group 3 (RG-3) sequences. There is no exemption for working with (even just culturing) cells containing RG-3 rsNA sequences. hiPSC reprogrammed with Sendai vectors or plasmid vectors eventually contain no rsNA and are technically not recombinant, though they remain human and fall under the BBP rules.  hiPSC reprogrammed with retroviral vectors have residual viral sequences (not RG-3). They are recombinant and fall under the exemption for culturing, but certain other experiments, such as transfer into animals require an IBC registration.

Human Subjects Research

Human Subjects Research Website

Human Subjects Research Contacts

 

Question:  My non-exempt research study (i.e. a study for which review by the full board or review by expedited procedures will occur) will involve key personnel (e.g. investigators, study coordinators, persons obtaining informed consent) from UConn Health and UConn Storrs.   Do I need IRB approval from both places?

Answer:  One IRB must grant formal approval and the other IRB must agree to rely upon that approval.  UConn Health and UConn Storrs have entered into an IRB Reliance Agreement (also referred to as a Cooperative Agreement) whereby only one of the IRBs has to conduct a formal review and the other IRB conducts a one-time facilitated review.  The IRB conducting the formal review is referred to as the IRB of Record and the IRB conducting the one-time facilitated review is referred to as the Relying IRB.  Once a facilitated review has been completed, the investigator then only deals with the IRB of Record.

 

Question:  How is it determined which IRB is the IRB of Record and which IRB is the Relying IRB?

Answer:  In most cases the IRB of Record will be the IRB of the institution at which the majority of subject enrollment will occur.  Other factors such as the place of employment of the Principal Investigator or which institution is the recipient of a grant award may also be considered.   For example, if subject recruitment will occur primarily at UConn Health and involve UConn Health patients, the UConn Health IRB is likely the more appropriate IRB to request as the IRB of Record.  Conversely, if recruitment will occur primarily at Storrs and a UConn Health person will assist in data analysis, the IRB at UConn Storrs is likely the more appropriate IRB to request as the IRB of Record.  Within the IRB application form, the PI may indicate which IRB s/he prefers to be the IRB of Record but the decision is ultimately made by the IRBs.

 

Question:  What is facilitated review, how is it requested, and why is it necessary?

Answer:  Facilitated review is the process through which one IRB officially agrees to rely upon the oversight of another IRB (e.g. UConn Health IRB relying upon UConn Storrs IRB or vice versa).  While there is an IRB Reliance Agreement in place between the two institutions, the decision to defer IRB oversight for non-exempt research must still be made on a case-by-case basis.  Once the initial determination is made by the Relying IRB to defer oversight, the investigator only deals with the IRB of Record from that point forward.   Before the research begins, the Principal Investigator must obtain approval from the IRB of Record and confirmation that the Relying IRB has deferred oversight to the IRB of Record.

Once formal IRB approval has been obtained from one IRB (i.e. the proposed IRB of Record), a request for facilitated review is submitted to the other IRB.  A request for facilitated review typically requires completion of an abbreviated application form and attachment of the documents that have been approved by the IRB of Record.  When UConn Storrs is the requested IRB of Record, the UConn Storrs IRB will submit the request for facilitated review through iRIS to the UConn Health IRB on behalf of the Storrs faculty. When UConn Health is the requested IRB of Record, UConn Health personnel are responsible for submitting a request for facilitated review to the UConn Storrs IRB by attaching the approved material to an email to irb@uconn.edu

Facilitated review is necessary because each institution is still responsible for knowing about and reporting on all research with which it is involved.  Once the facilitated review has been completed, the IRB of Record will communicate directly with the Relying IRB about the status of the study.  For example, the IRB of Record may copy the Relying IRB on correspondence that informs the Principal Investigator that a study has been approved for continuation.

 

Question:  Does my research have to comply with HIPAA because UConn Health is involved?

Answer:  It depends.  While the majority of the UConn Storrs campus is not a covered entity under the HIPAA regulation, the entire UConn Health campus is a covered entity under the HIPAA regulation.  Therefore any use or disclosure of protected health information for a research purpose requires that the study be in compliance with HIPAA.  However it is possible to have a cross-campus collaboration that does not involve the use of protected health information (e.g. research about educational activities) in which case HIPAA would not be applicable.

 

Question:  I have completed the training for protection of human subjects as required by my IRB (e.g. the UConn Storrs IRB).  Do I have to complete this training again if I request that the UConn Health IRB be the IRB of Record (or vice versa)?  

Answer:  Typically no, satisfying the training requirement on one campus will serve to satisfy the requirement for either IRB.   However, when your home institution is not the IRB of Record, it is recommended that evidence of completion of that training be included in the submission made to the requested IRB of Record.  Also, each IRB reserves the right to require additional training if it deems it appropriate.  For example, if a study proposes to include prisoners as subjects the IRB has the right to require completion of a training module specific to the additional protections for the inclusion of prisoners as subjects.

 

Question:  My cross-campus collaborative research project was determined to be exempt by the UConn Storrs IRB, do I need to obtain an exemption from the UConn Health IRB as well (or vice versa)?  

Answer:  Yes, when UConn Health is engaged in exempt research the UConn Health IRB must also grant an exemption (or vice versa).  The IRB Reliance agreement pertains to non-exempt research so a request for exemption should be made to each campus.  It is recommended that the determination be obtained from one campus and then the approved documents and exemption letter be included in the submission to the other campus.

 

Question:  Where do I find instructions about making IRB submissions and who do I contact for help?

Answer:  Information, instructions and contacts for the UConn Health IRB are available from the web at https://ovpr.uchc.edu/services/rics/hspp/   Information, instructions and contacts for the UConn Storrs IRB are available from the web at https://ovpr.uconn.edu/services/rics/irb/

Sponsored Program Services (SPS)

SPS Webpage

SPS Contacts:

This page is under construction.

Faculty Services Contacts

Pre-Award Support

Name Title Email
Tracy Bourassa Senior Director, Sponsored Program Services tracy.bourassa@uconn.edu
Brianna Demers Associate Director brianna.demers@uconn.edu
Holly Graham Grant and Contract Manager holly.graham@uconn.edu
Tyler Justice Grant and Contract Manager tyler.justice@uconn.edu
Samantha Becotte Faculty Services Specialist samantha.becotte@uconn.edu
Marybeth Brandi University Affiliate Specialist marybeth.brandi@uconn.edu
Dilshan Casseer Faculty Services Specialist dilshan.casseer@uconn.edu
Jessica Childers Faculty Services Specialist jessica.childers@uconn.edu
Kelly Cunningham Faculty Services Specialist kelly.cunningham@uconn.edu
Lana Delasanta Faculty Services Specialist lana.delasanta@uconn.edu
Marc Haon University Affiliate Specialist jxk24011@uconn.edu
Leah Rodgers Faculty Services Specialist ucj25001@uconn.edu
April Schenck Faculty Services Specialist april.schenck@uconn.edu
Sara Simpson University Affiliate Specialist rkt25001@uconn.edu
General Email facultyservices@uconn.edu

Pre-Award Support by Managing Unit

Managing Unit Contact
Agricultural and Resource Economics Holly Graham
Allied Health Sciences Jessica Childers
Animal Science Jessica Childers
CAHNR – Office of the Dean Holly Graham
Center for Biomedical & Bioengineering Innovation (CBBI) Tyler Justice
Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering Kelly Cunningham
CIRCA Marc Haon
Connecticut Advanced Computing Center (CACC) Lana Delasanta
CT NERR Jessica Childers
ECE – CONPEX Marc Haon
Engineering – Office of the Dean/Undergrad Tyler Justice
Eversource Energy Center Tyler Justice
Extension Kelly Cunningham
Humanities Institute Marc Haon
Innovations Institute Marybeth Brandi
Institute for System Genomics Marc Haon
Kinesiology Jessica Childers
Natural Resources and the Environment Holly Graham
Nutritional Sciences Jessica Childers
Pathobiology and Veterinary Science Holly Graham
Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Kelly Cunningham
School of Business Marc Haon
School of Fine Arts Marc Haon
School of Law Marc Haon
School of Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Tyler Justice
School of Social Work Marc Haon
PW-IASE Marc Haon
Tech Park Tyler Justice
Library Marc Haon
Vice President for Research Brianna Demers

If your managing unit is not listed and you are seeking support, please contact facultyservices@uconn.edu with details and we will connect with you as quickly as possible.

 

Post-Award Support

Name Title Email
Tracy Bourassa Senior Director, Sponsored Program Services tracy.bourassa@uconn.edu
Brianna Demers Associate Director brianna.demers@uconn.edu
Mary Loftus Faculty Services Specialist mary.loftus@uconn.edu
Matthew Michaud Faculty Services Specialist matthew.michaud@uconn.edu
General Email facultyservices@uconn.edu

Post-Award Support by Managing Unit

Managing Unit Contact
CIRCA Matthew Michaud
Humanities Institute Matthew Michaud
Institute for Systems Genomics Mary Loftus
Library Matthew Michaud
Pharmacy Mary Loftus
Pharmacy Practice Mary Loftus
School of Fine Arts Matthew Michaud
School of Law Matthew Michaud

SPA Training Opportunities

Sponsored Program Services (SPS) is developing a comprehensive research administration education program.  The program will include in-person interactive learning experiences, online training modules, video tutorials, reference guides, and other workshops and events meant to provide support and professional development for research administrators, faculty, and students involved in research.

As the program develops, opportunities will be listed below.  Please send any suggestions or comments to spa.training@uconn.edu.

SRAI LevelUp!

Are you interested in learning more about research administration? 

Sponsored Program Services (SPS) and the SPA Training Team are pleased to introduce our new research administration training initiative, the LevelUp Micro-Credential Program, now available to all UConn and UConn Health staff members. 

 Developed and maintained by the Society of Research Administrators (SRA) International, the LevelUp program offers online modules and mGuides that cover key topics relevant to today's research administration professionals, including pre-award administration, post-award finance, and regulatory and financial compliance. 

 These courses are accessible at any time and from any location, allowing for flexible learning. Participants who successfully complete the modules will earn a certificate from SRAI.  

 The modules typically require 3 to 5 hours to complete and include a randomized exam, while the mGuides take less than an hour and feature knowledge checks throughout.  

If you’d like more information about or access to the program, please reach out to spa.training@uconn.edu.   

CRA Exam Study Buddies

So you want to study for the Certified Research Administrator (CRA) exam?

Do yourself a huge favor and join the Virginia Tech Study Group!

They maintain a comprehensive program that includes weekly topics, daily study tips, and more!  To join the VT CRA Study Group, go to their website and click on the topic “How do I get involved with the study team?”.  Please read all the information on their page as it gives you a lot of information about the exam as well as the study group.

If you want a study buddy, add your name to our CRA Study Buddy spreadsheet and reach out to the people already on the list!  If you no longer want people to contact you, please return to the spreadsheet to delete your information.  This spreadsheet is not monitored.  If you see any problems, please email spa.training@uconn.edu.

Level One Basics of Research Administration

This 7 hour course is taught in two 3.5 hour sessions.  Topics include:
- Defining research and research administration at UConn and UConn Health
- Clarifying a sponsored project, its lifecycle, and the roles and responsibilities of all involved
- Exploring the Office of the Vice President for Research and Sponsored Program Services
- Defining agreement, sponsor, and funding types
- Explaining compliance and audit regulations and findings
- Introducing the subjects and terminology of pre and post award management.
This is a highly interactive course, meant to deliver a lot of information in a conversational manner to help you retain the information discussed. Participants must have access to a reliable device with audio/video capabilities (laptop/desktop/tablet) to participate in class. WebEx will be the platform used to administer the course. Register for classes through Saba.  Please Note: classes must have 5 participants to run.  Please email spa.training@uconn.edu with any questions.
2025-2026 Class Dates - All classes run from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
September 9 and 11, 2025 (Tuesday, Thursday)
November 4 and 6, 2025 (Tuesday, Thursday)
January 6 and 8, 2026 (Tuesday, Thursday)
March 3 and 5, 2026 (Tuesday, Thursday)
May 12 and 14, 2026 (Tuesday, Thursday)

Federal Costing Principles Interactive Learning Experience

Federal Costing Principles

This course will now be offered in both an e-Learning format and an instructor-led format.  Registration for both courses may be accessed through Saba.

In this course, research administrators will engage in activities designed to help them:

  • confidently explain the importance of Uniform Guidance in research administration
  • evaluate costs to federally funded accounts against Uniform Guidance requirements to ensure compliance
  • make informed and accurate costing decisions using Uniform Guidance requirements as the foundation
  • make use of available UConn/UConn Health resources for questions and assistance

2025-2026 Instructor-led class dates - All classes run from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm

September 23, 2025 (Tuesday)
November 25, 2025 (Tuesday)
January 27, 2026 (Tuesday)
March 24, 2026 (Tuesday)
May 28, 2026 (Thursday)

 

 

Please email spa.training@uconn.edu with any questions.

Subawards e-Learning Experience

Introduction to Subawards e-learning module!

This self-guided, 20-minute module will discuss the basics about the theory of subawards, including:  

  • the definition of a subaward, 
  • a review of common subaward terminology,  
  • a discussion about Cost Composition and Modified Total Direct Costs. 

This class may be accessed in Saba.

Training Videos and NCURA Webinars

Training Videos and NCURA Webinars can be found on the OVPR-SPS NCURA Webinars Channel (NetID Logon required).

 

NIH Upcoming Events and Recordings of Past Events

Explore the extensive listings provided on the NIH Calendar of Events page to enrich your understanding of NIH grants policies, funding, and processes. Discover upcoming conferences, webinars, and more to attend, as well as opportunities to unlock resources from past events. Dive in and elevate your knowledge today.  Scroll down the page for past events or use the left side navigation to view On-Demand Event Resources and more content!

 

UConn Fiscal Institute for Training (FIT)

The SPA Training Program collaborates with and presents a module during FIT training.  We encourage all fiscal staff and local research administrators to take this course.

The Fiscal Institute for Training (FIT) is committed to providing fiscal staff at the school, department or unit level at the University of Connecticut with the knowledge, information, tools and professional networks to be proficient in their key job responsibilities. The Institute, through its comprehensive training program, will deliver the necessary resources to build a professional and collegial business community focused on:

  • Improving the efficiency of operations
  • Achieving compliance with University and state policies and procedures, and state and federal regulations
  • Achieving consistency and standardization in the application of business processes
  • Improving the internal control environment of the institution

You can find more information at the FIT Website or contact Jonathan Montano at jonathan.montano@uconn.edu for more information on upcoming sessions.

 

SPA Job Aids

Award Monitoring and Management

Account Management Monthly Checklist

Consulting/Professional Services Invoice Review Checklist

No-Cost Extension Policy Matrix

Allowable and Unallowable Costs

Award Review and PI Checklist

Effort Reporting and Commitments

Costs of Federally Sponsored Research

Indirect vs. Direct Costs

WebFocus Guide to Accessing SPS Reports

Subawards

Subaward Invoice Review Checklist

SPA Meetings - Tips & Tricks

General Information

A-to-Z Resource Guide

Fly America and Open Skies Agreements

Expenditure Guidance

Admin and Clerical Salaries

Books, Journals, Periodicals and Subscriptions

Conferences and Registration Fees

Materials and Supplies

Publication and Printing

Advertising and PR

Computing Devices

Equipment

Memberships, Subscriptions, and Professional Activity Costs

Travel

Current & Pending Support

Current & Pending is a web-based application where UConn Storrs and Regional Campus Faculty and Department Administrators may search for faculty users by name and view a summary page listing all of their projects, or a detailed page listing all information for a given project, including a list of the personnel associated with the project. The application is secured by NetID. To request access, complete the Account Access Request Form and return to the eRA Help Desk at era-support@uconn.edu.

Login at https://bis.research.uconn.edu/cps

InfoEd Lab Animals Management Module

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) serving UConn-Storrs and the regional campuses utilizes InfoEd Lab Animals Management module for managing IACUC protocol submissions. This module is designed to support the review and management of animal research protocols. At this time, this module is solely used by Research Integrity & Compliance Services staff. In the future, the University plans to utilize the Lab Animals Development module to allow Principal Investigators to submit their applications electronically through InfoEd.

Animal Research

Animals have been central to the advancement of knowledge that has led to a vast array of benefits to both human and animal health. The University of Connecticut regards the use of animals in research, teaching, and testing to be an integral component of continued progress in science, education, and agriculture. The University expects all of its animal facilities and programs to maintain high ethical standards for animal care and use, and to be operated in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines.

The animal care and use program refers to all the components that exist in support of the University’s activities involving live animals. These components include facilities, employees, researchers, policies and procedures, equipment and animals. The Animal Care and Use Program has been accredited by AAALAC International since 2010.

Animal Care Services

Animal Care Services (NetID Access Restricted link)  provides animal husbandry and veterinary care for vertebrate animals housed at the Storrs Campus, excluding the farm animals under the supervision of the Department of Animal Science. ACS veterinarians have University-wide responsibilities for assisting faculty and the IACUC in protocol review, facility inspections, and training. The Animal Care and Use Program is accredited by AAALAC International. For further information please contact acsinfo@uconn.edu.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is charged with responsibility for reviewing the University of Connecticut’s program for the humane care and use of animals in research and teaching as described in its Assurance and University Policy. The IACUC is created by and subject to federal law: the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS 1986), the USDA Animal Welfare Act/Regulations (CFR 1985) and related Guides. Members include scientists and nonscientists, veterinarians and nonaffiliated individuals from the community.

Research Resources

Finding Research Funding

The UConn Library licenses two databases to identify sources of funding for research projects and other endeavors:

Grants.gov is frequently consulted for federal government funding opportunities:

Research Advisory Groups

The Office of the Vice President for Research’s (OVPR) mission of supporting and advancing faculty research greatly depends on involvement and input from faculty and from UConn’s schools/colleges.  To that end, the Vice President for Research (VPR) has established research advisory groups to facilitate communication and collaboration between the OVPR and stakeholders across the university.  These groups meet regularly to discuss research-related issues that impact UConn/UConn Health faculty and provide opportunities for faculty to convey concerns to the VPR and the OVPR executive team and to work together to identify and implement solutions.

The President’s Research Advisory Council (PRAC) was created by the Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Radenka Maric, and President Thomas Katsouleas. The membership of the PRAC consists of faculty representatives from each school and college, including UConn Health, as well as student and postdoctoral representatives. The PRAC will serve as a forum to discuss issues and concerns related to research, scholarship, and creative works at UConn and UConn Health and to provide input and guidance to the President and Vice President on relevant institutional policies, practices, and strategic initiatives.  The PRAC will meet twice a semester.  A list of the Council members is available on the membership page.
2022-2023 Meeting dates: TBD

The Research Deans’ Council (RDC) includes Associate Deans for Research of all UConn/UConn Health schools and colleges.  The RDC is charged with communicating the research priorities of the schools/colleges to the OVPR and representing their interests in discussions regarding research-related policy.  RDC members also advise on internal funding and limited submission internal competitions.  The RDC meets twice a semester during the academic year.  If you have an issue/problem/request that you would like the RDC to consider, please contact the RDC chair or your school/college’s Associate Dean(s) for Research.
2022-2023 Meeting dates: Sept. 22, Nov. 14, Feb. 6, April 11

The Health Center Research Advisory Council (HCRAC) advises the Vice President for Research and the Research Deans on the development, management, and disposition of the Health Center’s central research resources and intramural grants programs.  For more information on HCRAC responsibilities and programs, please visit their pages on the UConn Health website.

Service Units

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) oversees the research enterprise across all UConn campuses, including UConn Health, managing all aspects of research and scholarship activities for UConn’s faculty.

The OVPR advances UConn’s research enterprise and innovation pipeline through both short- and long-term initiatives. Its support spans individual faculty projects, large-scale interdisciplinary collaborations, industry partnerships, and university-driven startups.

The OVPR’s key areas of responsibility include:

  • Research Support & Development
  • Core Research Facilities
  • Grant Proposal Support
  • Award Management
  • Research Compliance
  • Technology Commercialization
  • UConn’s Technology Incubation Program
  • UConn Tech Park

Learn More

Faculty Services is an optional service provided by the University and jointly funded by participating units and the Office of the Vice President for Research. We provide both pre- and post-award support and units can sign up to receive either or both services. If you are interested in receiving more information about this service and the cost, please contact Brianna Demers, Associate Director for Faculty Services (brianna.demers@uconn.edu).

 

Pre-Award Services

Our comprehensive proposal support allows faculty to spend more time on the drafting a strong narrative while ensuring their proposal will adhere to all University policies and meet with the requirements of the sponsor and solicitation. A full list of our services can be found here.

  • Provide exceptional administrative support from proposal assembly to submission from expert administrators.
  • Allow faculty to focus on the scientific development of the application.
  • A team of specialists ensures support is always available to faculty during University hours.
  • Help faculty to produce higher quality proposals is greater numbers.

 

Post-Award Services

Our full post-award support is a partnership with administrators within your unit to ensure faculty receive tailored services to manage their awards effectively. An overview of this partnership can be found here. By acting as the Fiscal Officer, we can provide rigorous oversight including thorough monthly reviews and a closeout process to ensure there are no surprises (deficits, unallowable costs, etc.). A full list of our services can be found here.

  • Provide exceptional administrative support from pre-award/advance accounts through closeout from expert administrators.
  • Provide detailed and customized monthly reports.
  • Allow faculty to focus on the research and spend less time on administrative tasks.

For Participating Departments

Pre-Award Services

Who is My Pre-Award Specialist?
Summary of Services
  • Budget development
  • Budget justification templates
  • Completion of all internal administrative forms (IPR, Cost Sharing, etc.)
  • Review of all proposal documents against the requirements of the sponsor and solicitation
  • Application building (our team will complete the application in WorkSpace, FastLane, etc.)
  • Coordination with Sponsored Program Services for final review and approval
Faculty Tips for Success
  • Contact us early! The earlier we are involved, the more support we can provide you.
  • Contact us even if you are not sure if you will submit!
  • Send us your documents as you complete them. We will review them against the requirements of the sponsor and solicitation and will let you know if changes are required.
  • Keep us informed of your scheduled and planned travel so we can manage deadlines effectively.
  • When your assigned Specialist is out of the office, contact facultyservices@uconn.edu for urgent issues and requests.

 

Post-Award Services

Who is My Post-Award Specialist?
Summary of Services
  • Daily monitoring of account through KFS and HuskyBuy transactions
  • Customized monthly reports and thorough monthly review
  • Evaluate payroll changes
  • Facilitate subaward and consultant agreements
  • Calculate projections of future expenditures
Faculty Tips for Success
  • Inform of your needs for pre-award/advance account as soon as you think you might need it.
  • Inform us of potential personnel changes so we can project the impact to the award and obtain sponsor approval if necessary.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions, it’s what we’re here for!

Faculty Services

Faculty Services, founded in the fall of 2014, was created with the mission to grow and support the research enterprise by providing excellent, consistent proposal development and award management support for University faculty. This department, housed within the Office of the Vice President for Research consists of a team of expert research administrators who work directly with faculty. Faculty Services provides a single point of contact for proposal and/or award support. Our goal is to reduce faculty administrative burden allowing them more time to write proposals and work on funded projects. Faculty Services reduces the number of administrators required to complete a single transaction and reduces administrative tasks overall improving turnaround time and allowing more time to be devoted to complex and unique transactions.