Grants Resources & Education
three young researchers looking over paperwork

The Grant Services & Analysis Office curated the following information.

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For Faculty
  • This video offers a brief overview of some of the services and resources available through the UMMS Office of Research or across campus to support your research
  • Faculty Resource Guide - A quick reference of resources provided by UMMS Office of Research
  • Research Project Route Map - An interactive resource map to help you navigate your own project route on a path to successful research

This video provides a brief overview of the limited submissions competition process for biomedically focused competitions managed by the UMMS Office of Research.

This video provides an overview of the UMMS Biomedical Research Council (BMRC). The Council assists biomedical research and facilitates interdisciplinary research and training through its management of limited submissions competitions and the UMMS bridging support program. Funds are available to established, eligible investigators, allowing them to address NIH/equivalent grant critiques in preparation for resubmission.

The AWARD series is a monthly publication that provides resources and guidance on grant development, academic writing, and research topics.

Preparing an NIH Human Subjects section? Check out these resources:

Video introducing Human Subjects Research

This video provides an overview of cooperative agreements, spnosor expectations - especially NIH, and what to anticipate if you receive an award.

This video provides an overview of procurement considerations and requirements when using extramural funding. Learn best practices by reviewing the steps in the procurement lifecycle to avoid purchasing pitfalls.

This video provides an overview of childcare costs available to NIH NRSA supported fellows and information on accessing the funds at the University of Michigan and may be useful to faculty mentoring NRSA fellows.

Document Library

Budget Templates - This page contains budget templates in several formats that can be used to prepare research proposal budgets, as well as some templates to assist with calculating salary over the PHS cap and working with UM/VA split appointments.

Handling Recharge Service Units in Grant Proposals - This document describes how recharge service units should be reflected in grant proposals.

  • Canceling a PAF - This best practice explains when it is advised a PAF be canceled, how to do it, and who is able to complete the activity.
  • Changes After Routing in eRPM - This best practice describes the procedure that should be followed when changes are made in eRPM after a proposal has been routed.
  • Counting Pages - This best practice details a quick and easy method for ensuring you are not over the allowed page limit.
  • Leaving Comments in eRPM - This best practice describes how comments that are left in eRPM need to be concise but thorough for all potential viewers.
  • Ready to Finalize? - Creating the Final PDF (Grants.gov) - This best practice explains the process of creating and reviewing the 'final' PDF prior to finalizing or submitting a NIH proposal.
  • Review of Proposals in the Commons - This page clarifies the NIH 2-day window following proposal submission and the ability to reject / resubmit a proposal.
For Administrators

In addition to the training resources below, you may also wish to visit the NCURA channel on YouTube for "YouTube Tuesdays," where you'll find more short, helpful videos on many aspects of research administration. But as you watch videos, remember that Michigan's institutional policy may differ from the presenter's and any question about applicability in our context may be directed to the Grant Services & Analysis at [email protected].

Going for the Perfectly Routed Proposal: The Grants Office's Top 10
These resources hold the presentation materials from the training session held in April 2013. The session highlighted the most common problems (and solutions!) that the Medical School Grants Office comes across during administrative review, things to keep in mind when putting a proposal together, and some best practices. Attendees left with a better understanding of what happens during the Grants Office review and how to prevent common issues. The session was geared towards all experience levels, from the newest hire to the seasoned research administrator.

The Administrative Shell of the NIH Research Grant
This page contains the presentation materials from the training session held in May 2013. This session walked through the common information and expectations of putting together the administrative shell pages for an NIH research grant application (R01, or similar) -- covering issues from the first question of Application Type on the cover page to the Multiple PI Plan on the last, and almost everything in between. A significant portion of the time was spent on budget/justification rules and institutional expectations, as well as highlighting the last things you should double check before saying "Submit!"

Budgeting a Clinical Trial - A PDF of slides from a 2012 training session on how to budget a clinical trial.

A Basic Definition of Cost Sharing - A quick description of the institutional investment created when full costs are not requested or recovered by the sponsor.

The Difference Between Tracked (Quantified) and Not (Non-Quantified) Cost Sharing - Not all institutional investment (cost sharing) must be tracked. This video explains the difference in terms of what is represented to the sponsor.

Effort - Navigate Lunch and Learn - ORSP's Navigate: Lunch & Learn session from February 2018 covering effort reporting and certification. Faculty and staff are responsible for monitoring their activities to ensure that their effort is supported by fund sources appropriate to their activities, and for certifying their effort on an annual basis. But effort reporting and certification can be a confusing topic for faculty and research administrators alike. In this Lunch & Learn session, Heather Offhaus, Director of the Medical School Grants Review & Analysis Office, provided a basic overview of Effort and discussed its importance.

Effort Part 1 - The Three Mantras of Effort Reporting - An introduction to the basics of understanding effort & effort reporting. Three simple rules to why and when you track what.

Effort Part 2 - Talking with Faculty About Effort - Tips on discussing effort with those that must report and certify their effort.

The Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Mobility Program allows temporary work assignment of employees between UM and federal agencies by executing an IPA Assignment Agreement. The employee on assignment remains an employee of and continues to be paid by their respective employer for the duration of the time they are on the temporary work assignment. Reimbursement for employee expenses are negotiated between the two parties but at a minimum typically include salary and fringe benefits. For more guidance, visit Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment Agreement Guidance.

The process of transferring grants between institutions can be difficult. Not only does the PI have preferences to express, but the institutions involved have to agree. And once the decision to transfer (or not!) is made, each individual grant may have different requirements, even when dealing with the same sponsor. It is important to communicate among all the “interested parties” – PI, institution, the funding agency’s Program Officer and Grants Management Specialist (or equivalents) – to ensure a timely and efficient process.

Considerations related to the process:

  • Transfers may involve many parties, such as the PI, Research Administrator, Department Chair and/or Administrator, Dean’s Office, University Central Offices (ORSP, OTT), Sponsor’s Program Officer and Grants Management Specialist, and the other institution.
  • The original grantee institution must be willing to transfer the grant to the new institution – grants are awarded to the institution, not the PI. As a result, before transferring a grant out of an institution the PI and/or Research Administrator will need to discuss their wishes with the Department Chair and/or Dean’s Office. 
  • The sponsor has the right to refuse the request coming from the institution.
  • Forms and information required to transfer grants may change from one grant to another. Always contact the Program Officer and Grants Management Specialist each time for up-to-date instructions.
  • When in the process of transferring grants into UM, consider requesting a Hardship Account. Transfers often take some time to process and establishing an account will allow appropriate charges to be associated with the P/G until the award arrives – saving time later!
  • When transferring grants out of the UM, equipment, personnel, and other research-related items, for example lab notebooks, data sets, or intellectual property, may need to be specifically reviewed and authorized for transfer out as well.  Please see the resources below for more information.

Resources

The video addresses why you might consider using advance (aka Hardship) accounts and the risk associated with them.

This video is a quick reminder about the importance of maintaining proper documentation.

Navigate: E-ssentials eLearning Modules - A collection of self-paced elearning modules covering a variety of topics related to research administration at U-M. Addressing common tasks, concepts, and business processes encountered throughout the Sponsored Project Lifecycle, Navigate: E-ssentials also provides resources and job aids to assist research administrators with the successful management of a sponsored project.

Office of Research Training Opportunities - Other units within the Medical School's Office of Research often provide training sessions on various topics. This link will provide information on other those opportunities.

Campus Training Opportunities - The Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) on campus also offers training sessions on a variety of topics.

This video provides on overview of university supported tools and resources available to research administrators for managing Financial Status Reports (FSRs).

This video provides on overview of university supported tools and resources available to research administrators for Troubleshooting Closeouts (PG Inactivation).

Networking & Current Training Opportunities

Are you seeking a forum where you can share knowledge, build ‘RAPPoRT’ with & learn from other Michigan Medicine Research Administrators?
The RAPPoRT Discussion Group is an opportunity for Research Administrators to network, build collaborations with colleagues, and engage in discussion on pre & post-award research topics. No registration is required to attend. Discussion groups are held virtually, are informal, and attendees are welcome to bring their lunch.

Need additional time to talk or have a question on another research topic?
Open Door RAPPoRT, hosted by Jane Sierra & Beth Brant immediately following the group discussion, offers pre & post-award administrators a one-on-one opportunity for additional discussion on any pre or post-award topic with either Jane or Beth.


RAPPoRT Discussion Group & Open Door Series
(Research Admin Pre & Post Research Topics)
Schedule: First Monday of the month (*exceptions noted below)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: RAPPoRT Discussion Group
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Open Door RAPPoRT

Meeting announcements are sent to the Research Administrators – Michigan Medicine email group. Requests to join can be sent to [email protected].

* No January Meeting / September meeting held on the first Tuesday due to the holiday

The Pre-Award Proposal Guide provides an overview of Medical School Grant Services & Analysis requirements on a PAF and within a proposal. Information in the guide contains guidance on budgets, various types of agreements, and common situations, as well as sponsor-specific tips. This tool will be helpful for both brand-new and seasoned research administrators and is written with the assumption the reader has basic knowledge of eRPM.

The Post-Award Procedures Manual represents the consolidation of the Medical School post-award procedures and best practices. It is designed to serve the sponsored project post-award community, is based on utilizing Real-Time Financials modules, and is written with the assumption that the reader has a basic knowledge of post-award policies and University procedures.

Onboarding and Introduction to Resources You Should Know

The Grant Services & Analysis office recognizes Research Administration training resources and tools are not always easy to find. To help transition to research administration in Michigan Medicine, we’ve mapped topic-specific information in pre- and post-award, as well as types of access you might need and professional development opportunities. Don’t see what you need below? Email [email protected] for help!

flowchart graphic of Research Administration Onboarding

Pre-Award

Pre-Award supports the creation and submission of a proposal. This includes partnering with investigators to review funding opportunities, determine budgetary needs, complete sponsor forms, and route proposals in eRPM for review, approval, and submission of the application. The resources below provide learning opportunities about different items that Research Administrators may assist Investigators with throughout proposal creation.

Post-Award Management

Post-Award Management occurs over the duration of an award and includes award & account setup, as well as partnering with investigators in monitoring fiscal activity, managing changes to the initial award (modifications), reporting progress, and completing closeout requirements. The resources below provide learning opportunities about different items that Research Administrators may assist Investigators with throughout an awards' lifecycle.

Post-Award Onboarding Guide
This document provides essential resources and allows individuals to navigate through onboarding in an asynchronous environment. Topics include a worksheet which simulates the review of a project grant, an integrated checklist to monitor completion of key tasks, and many resources which are essential to any new research administrator.

Extra Worksheet
Simulates review of a project grant

Professional Development

Professional Development and career training provides the opportunity to learn and apply new knowledge and skills that can help you in your job and further your career. The resources below provide learning opportunities to support growth in both the knowledge and skills required in Research Administration.

System Access

System Access regulates what data a user can access and what transactional activities they can view or perform. The following provides information about accessing systems commonly utilized in Research Administration.

Recommended OARS Access for Data Warehouse & M-Pathways

Post-Award Quick Video Series

Watch the video, or visit the Post-Award Manual.

Watch the video, or visit the Post-Award Manual.

Watch the video.

Disclosure of Other Support

NIH and other federal agencies have recently implemented more expansive requirements for disclosing other support and foreign affiliations. These instructions have increased what U-M previously reported - to include agreements outside U-M, in-kind contributions, and copies of agreements with entities outside the US. The revised Other Support format also includes a new attestation statement and the requirement for digital signature. We know that this causes confusion, and perhaps apprehension, among faculty as we learn to navigate these new requirements and share the information with federal agencies.  The Medical School has developed tools and resources to supplement campus information to directly aid faculty and staff in remaining compliant.                                     

If you have questions about content or how these rules impact your reporting to U-M or NIH, we encourage you to use the resources below or reach out with your questions to: [email protected]. Need immediate help? Contact [email protected] to schedule a 1-1 discussion about your specific questions.

Disclosure FAQs

Central Campus is keeping an FAQ list through their website.

Contact [email protected] immediately to schedule a 1-1 discussion. Because the discovery may impact multiple projects, a comprehensive plan for disclosure to all sponsors on all projects impacted will be necessary. The team at [email protected] can help navigate and create a plan for you and your team to follow.

External consulting or collaboration agreements (also called personal services agreements) that involve the design, conduct, or reporting of research need to be included as part of Other Support.  If the agreement is with a non-US entity, also include the agreement as supporting documentation.  If not in English, also provide an English-language copy of the agreement.  (Google Translate is fine.)
Examples of consulting work that likely involves the "design, conduct, or reporting of research" include:

  • work that may result in publication in an academic journal,  
  • designing a protocol,  
  • data analysis,  
  • serving on a steering committee for a clinical trial

It is sometimes hard to tell, especially if the company is part of a larger organization with home offices in another country.  If you are unsure if an outside agreement is with a foreign entity (and therefore would require submission of a copy of the agreement with your Other Support), U-M is advising that you may reference the subsidiary name and/or address listed in your agreement.

Discussion Opportunities

[email protected]

  • Advice / Help on interactions with sponsors 
  • Questions related to applications:  Biosketches, Foreign Components, Facilities 
  • Awards:  JIT Materials & RPPRs: Other Support & Supporting documentation 
  • Previously undisclosed Other Support 

Can pose question by email or request a one-on-one consultation. 

[email protected]

  • General questions about outside interests/potential conflicts of interest & M-Inform disclosures 
  • Ongoing one-on-one consultations
  • Share a more in-depth description of requirements 
  • Address general questions & concerns 

Would you like to request one? [email protected]

Watch the 2/17/22 Medical School Research Town Hall for a brief overview on Other Support.   

Or, view the presentation slides.

Contact Us

Grant Services & Analysis

North Campus Research Complex, Building 520-3174
2800 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Phone Number: 734-763-4272
Fax Number: 734-615-9458
Email: [email protected]

About Us
Grant Services & Analysis is a unit of the Medical School Office of Research, where our mission is to foster an environment of innovation and efficiency that serves the Michigan Medicine research community and supports biomedical science from insight to impact.