We want to encourage you to continue submitting grant proposals and pursuing funding opportunities, even as you may be seeing fewer formal program announcements from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

A reduction in published solicitations does notĚýmean a reduction in funding opportunities. In many cases, agencies are continuing to support meritorious research through existing mechanisms and more flexible pathways.

In particular:

1. Do not wait for a specific program announcementĚýto move forward with a strong idea.
2. Reach out to your program officerĚýto discuss your concept, fit, and timing—these conversations are often critical in the current funding environment.
3. Continue submitting proposalsĚýthrough standard mechanisms, including unsolicited or investigator-initiated opportunities.

Additionally, NIH administrative supplements remain a viable and often underutilized option. The active funding opportunity announcement () allows investigators with existing NIH awards to request support for expanding or adapting ongoing projects. These requests can typically be submitted on a rolling basis, making them a flexible way to advance new ideas without waiting for a targeted call.

We also recommend investigators regularly review agency priority areas, as these are increasingly shaping funding decisions (see: , , and ). Aligning proposals with these priorities can strengthen competitiveness in the current environment.

We encourage you to stay proactive—advance strong ideas, engage program staff early, and take advantage of available mechanisms to sustain research momentum during this period. ĚýFinally, please never lose sight of the fact that our collective work in research and scholarship is of fundamental importance and value, and a powerful force for good in the world. ĚýIn Madam Curi±đ’s words –Ěý“We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”

Warm regards,
Steve

Steve Dewhurst, PhD
Vice President for Research

The post Reminder: Continue Submitting Proposals and Exploring Supplement Opportunities appeared first on Office of the Vice President for Research.

The NIH has released a Ěýfor preparing Data Management and Sharing Plans.

The underlying NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy has not changed. Rather, NIH has revised the DMS Plan format to simplify the required elements, reduce narrative burden, and clarify common areas of confusion that have emerged since the policy went into effect in 2023.

The new 2026 Pilot DMS Plan format is required for NIH applications with due dates on or after May 25, 2026. For due dates before May 25, 2026, NIH will accept either the 2023 format or the new 2026 Pilot format. NIH recommends that applicants use the new simplified format if they are beginning to prepare a DMS Plan now.

The Ģą˝´«Ă˝ Libraries’ Data Services team has updated its Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺ guidance to reflect the new NIH format. UR Libraries Data Services will host a webinar discussing the new format on May 14th.Ěý You can. Please contact the Ěýteam if you have any questions about the template or you would like help preparing your data and management sharing plan.

Investigators and research teams preparing NIH applications should review NIH’s 2026 Pilot DMS Plan format and coordinate with their ORPA Research Administrator and the Libraries’ Data Services team as needed.

ORISE is partnering with the Libraries and ORPA to support clear, coordinated guidance on research data stewardship, including expectations related to the responsible management, documentation, preservation, and sharing of research data. Researchers are encouraged to participate in future RECR sessions focused on good data practices and data stewardship.

Sincerely,

The Office of Research Integrity, Stewardship & Ethics (ORISE)

The Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA)

The Ģą˝´«Ă˝ Libraries

The post NIH Releases 2026 Pilot Data Management and Sharing Plan Format appeared first on Office of the Vice President for Research.

As you know, the federal government requires that researchers applying for federal research funding must have taken Research Security Training within 12 months of a proposal submission.ĚýFederal agencies (such as DOE, NSF, and NIH) have implemented training requirements at different times which has resulted in numerous compliance periods. To reduce confusion and ensure simpler compliance moving forward, effective January 2027, the University is requiring that faculty engaged or expected to be engaged in federally funded research complete Research Security Training on an annual basis. Here is what this means for you:

For the remainder of 2026:

• It is strongly recommended that all faculty currently engaged or planning to be engaged in federally funded research who have not already completed Research Security Training complete this training now.
• Faculty who have previously completed Research Security Training must ensure that they have completed it within 12 months of the date of their application or Other Support (for NIH) submission. For example, if an individual first completed Research Security Training on April 1, 2025, and plans to submit a grant application on June 1, 2026 (more than 12 months after completion), they must complete Research Security Training prior to the submission.
• ORPA will not submit a proposal unless each PI, Co-PI, or other senior/key persons have completed Research Security Training within 12 months of the submission date. The training is currently accessible inĚýĚýby searching for “Research Security” in the search bar.

For 2027 and Moving Forward:

• In January 2027, and each January thereafter, all faculty engaged or expected to be engaged in federally funded research will be required to complete Research Security Training through an assignment in MyPath. Researchers will be notified of the assignment in December and will have one month to complete the training.
• Faculty engaged or expected to be engaged in federally funded research should be aware that they will be required to complete Research Security Training in January 2027 even if they have recently completed it (such as in late 2026). This is necessary to ensure consistency moving forward. Please keep this in mind as you decide when to complete Research Security Training this year.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Thank you.

Joe Doyle
Research Security Officer

The post Research Security Training Update appeared first on Office of the Vice President for Research.

Earlier today, the Office of the Vice President for Research published guidance regarding compliance with the Department of Justice (DOJ) Regulations Regarding Access to Bulk U.S. Sensitive Data. These regulations establish important restrictions on how certain categories of sensitive data—such as health, genomic, biometric, financial, and geolocation information—may be accessed or shared with entities or individuals associated with designated “countries of concern” (specifically China—including Hong Kong and Macau—Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela).

If your research involves sensitive data related to U.S. persons, please review this guidance and follow its recommendations. These regulations carry national security implications and introduce new compliance expectations that may affect research practices and collaborations.

Thank you for your attention and continued commitment to responsible research practices.

Joe Doyle
Research Security Officer

The post DOJ Regulations Re Access to Bulk U.S. Sensitive Data appeared first on Office of the Vice President for Research.

Please see two updates from the Office of Research Integrity, Stewardship & Ethics (ORISE).

1) Revised Policy on Research Misconduct (effective January 1, 2026)

The University’s revised Policy on Research MisconductĚýis now posted on the Policies & Procedures site and is effective January 1, 2026. This update aligns the University’s process with revised federal requirements that apply to allegations received on or after January 1, 2026, and consolidates our approach into a single, University-wide standard.

The University Research Integrity Officer (RIO)Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺ ORISEĚýserve as neutral resources for faculty, trainees, and staff – available to explain the process, answer questions, and help ensure procedural fairness. Please contact ORISE with any questions.

2) iThenticate 2.0 upgrade (action requested for current users)
The University has successfully completed an upgrade to iThenticate 2.0.ĚýKey enhancements include:

• AI writing detectionĚý(available with iThenticate 2.0)
• Enhanced similarity checkingĚý(including the ability to automatically exclude preprints, and easier identification of hidden text/replaced characters via the Flags Panel)
• Improved collaborationĚý(share folders with user groups)
• Modern, accessible designĚý(streamlined user experience aligned with current global standards)

If you are a current user, you should have received an email titled “Welcome to iThenticate”Ěýfrom noreply@turnitin.comĚýinviting you to activate your iThenticate 2.0 account. Please ensure you activate your account. If your invitation link has expired, please contact the University’s iThenticate institution administrators to resend the welcome email: Sharon DeGregorioĚý´Ç°ů Sonya Hadrigan.

To request a new account, please visit the University’s iThenticate website.Ěý

Thank you for your continued commitment to research integrity.

Stephen Dewhurst, PhD
Vice President for Research

Sonya Maria Hadrigan, APRN, MLS, CIP
Associate Vice President for Research Integrity | Research Integrity Officer

The post Updates: Research Misconduct Policy & iThenticate 2.0 appeared first on Office of the Vice President for Research.

Key points NIH emphasized:

• Reducing administrative burden: NIH has streamlined application requirements by eliminating certain pre-application letters and permission requirements, and launched a new Highlighted Topics portal to make priority areas more accessible without needing separate funding announcements.

• Unified funding strategy: The agency is focusing funding on the most meritorious science with potential to address urgent health challenges while sustaining a diverse and resilient biomedical workforce.

• Responsible innovation: NIH is advancing secure, ethical use of AI and strengthening transparency, data access, and research integrity — all of which shape expectations for applications and awards.

• Global research stewardship: New principles for international collaboration and clearer expectations for sensitive data underline NIH’s commitment to responsible and accountable use of federal funding.

These NIH priorities align with the University’s ongoing efforts to support high-impact, externally funded research and navigate evolving federal policy requirements.

The post Important NIH Funding Priorities & Policy Highlights appeared first on Office of the Vice President for Research.

NIH recently issued , which provides key updates to NIH research security training requirements. NIH’s current research security training requirements are as follows:Ěý

Requirements:

Effective for NIH applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026, all senior/key personnel listed on an NIH grant application must certify to NIH that they have completed research security training within 12 months of the date of application submission.

In addition, all senior/key personnel who submit Other Support information to NIH (through Just-In-Time procedures, a Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR), or certain applications) must have completed research security training prior to submission. This training satisfies the NIH requirement that senior/key personnel complete training related to the disclosure of Other Support effective October 1, 2025.

What You Need to Do:Ěý

It is strongly recommended that all PIs, faculty, and senior/key personnel currently engaged or planning to be engaged in NIH-funded researchĚýcomplete research security training well in advance of your upcoming deadlines.ĚýFor NIH proposals that require completion of research security training, ORPA will not submit the proposal if training has not been completed.

Where to Access Resources/Training:

Research security training is accessible inĚýĚýby searching for “Research Security” in the search bar. More information on Research Security training can be found on the Office of Vice President for ResearchĚýwebsite.

Regards,

Stephen Dewhurst, PhD
Vice President for Research

Joe Doyle, JD
Research Security Officer

The post Update: NIH Research Security Training Requirements appeared first on Office of the Vice President for Research.

A Career Built on Connection

Wyatt arrived in Rochester in 1982 as a young veterinarian beginning a residency in research and wildlife medicine. Over the years, he built one of the nation’s most respected animal research programs—one known for scientific excellence and compassionate care. In 1995, he became the first veterinarian to earn a master’s in public health from the University, deepening his focus on how environmental and animal health influence human well-being.

That combination of expertise and vision quickly translated into institution-wide impact. His leadership strengthened the animal research infrastructure—from daily operations to long-term planning—ensuring investigators had the support, expertise, and environment they needed to pursue complex scientific questions. His collaborative, solution-oriented approach reinforced that foundation and modeled the principles of team science long before they became a formal institutional priority.

“Jeff’s impact on our institutional research enterprise, on the Rochester community—and even globally—can’t be overstated,” said Vice President for Research Steve Dewhurst, PhD. “Animal models touch a majority of scientific work happening at this institution, and Jeff made that possible—not only by ensuring the highest standards of care, but also by helping our investigators in myriad ways.”

Colleagues who worked closely with Wyatt over the decades describe him as a steady, strategic leader whose guidance shaped both teams and individuals. Diane Moorman-White, a longtime veterinarian on the Animal Resources team, says “His ability to navigate complex situations, mentor staff, and solve problems with creativity and calm had a lasting influence on the department and the broader University community.”

That same systems-level perspective guided his work beyond the Medical Center. His vision linked human, animal, and environmental health, leading to decades of research connecting ecosystem quality and community well-being. His work on the Genesee River and Great Lakes ecosystems helped reveal how wildlife can serve as indicators of environmental recovery. Through projects such as the , his team demonstrated measurable improvements in water quality and aquatic wildlife—successes that contributed to the recent as an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Area of Concern.

“Mother Nature is so resilient,” Wyatt said in a November 2024 interview for . “The pollution stopped, and sh±đ’s cleaning up the river as long as we give her the opportunity to do so. The sturgeon are thriving, and we’re seeing what’s possible when science, community, and patience come together.”

Conservation Without Borders

Beyond the Rochester area, Wyatt’s leadership extended to collaborations linking the University’s community revitalization mission to global ecosystem health. His two decades of work in Borneo and Madagascar, the world’s third and fourth largest islands, helped protect critically endangered orangutans and lemurs by partnering with local communities to provide healthcare and sustainable livelihoods—an approach credited with saving thousands of animals and transforming public health outcomes.

Through EPA and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation-funded projects, h±đ’sĚýworked alongside Rochester communities fromĚýdifferent culturalĚýbackgrounds to raise awareness about safe fish consumption and promote healthier choices for families who rely on local waterways for food.

Although retiring from his University role, Wyatt will continue his mission globally and locally through partnerships with and NYS Environmental Justice programs.

Welcoming Pradeep Dumpala

As Wyatt concludes his distinguished career, SMD welcomes Pradeep Dumpala, DVM, PhD, DACLAM, previously associate director in the Department of Laboratory Animal Resources at SUNY Upstate Medical University, to lead the University’s animal care and use programs.

A board-certified laboratory animal medicine specialist, Dumpala brings more than 15 years of leadership in animal research operations, accreditation, and regulatory compliance. Colleagues who have worked with him point to his strong management skills, his experience running complex facilities, and his ability to build trusting relationships across teams.

“It was clear he was very good at making connections between people,” says Craig Morrell,

DVM, PhD, professor in the Department of Medicine and head of the search committee. “He finds a path to make something work.”

“What drew me to Rochester is its deeply collaborative and forward-thinking spirit,” Dumpala says. “I’m inspired by the University’s commitment to scientific excellence and animal welfare and eager to contribute to its research mission.”

A Legacy of Hope

Wyatt’s career reminds us that science and stewardship go hand in hand. His influence—spanning laboratories, rivers, and rainforests—leaves an enduring lesson in optimism and interconnectedness.

“Remember, we are all connected—humans, animals and the environment,” he said. “Unless both the environment and people are healthy, neither can be.”

The post A Pillar of Comparative Medicine: Celebrating Jeff Wyatt and Welcoming Pradeep Dumpala appeared first on Office of the Vice President for Research.

ORPA is preparing a Common Form training plan for new SciENcv users. We intend to offer a combination of on-demand training resources and drop-in office hours for individual/small group support. We will provide more training information soon.

NIH has announced that a system validation will be implemented to check for the use of the Common Forms in applications – it will generate an error preventing submission beginning February 6^th, 2026.

We strongly encourage departments and faculty to start preparing for the NIH implementation of the Common Forms by:

• becoming familiar with
• establishing ORCID IDs and .Ěý This will be required – please complete as soon as possible.

Further resources are available from NIH at the following links:

• Preview versions of the NIH Common Form instructions can be found in the
• Users can find information on SciENcv in the

NIH anticipates finalizing the templates in SciENcv for Common Forms, the NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement and associated instructions the week of December 15, 2025.

Additionally, attached are the email from September that announced the preview forms, and the slides from the October 28^th, 2025 CLASP meeting that cover the NIH Common Forms.

This notice also announces a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (MFTRP) prohibition and certification requirement. Effective January 25, 2026, individuals who are a current party to a MFTRP are not eligible to serve as a senior/key person on an NIH award. At the time of application, and annually at the time of RPPR submission, each individual identified as a senior/key person must certify to NIH that they are not a party to a MFTRP. This certification will be captured by the Common Forms, and in a separate document for RPPR submission. UR will provide a template for the RPPR submission document. As a reminder, UR maintains aĚýPolicy on Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs and Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment ProgramsĚýthat prohibits senior/key persons from participating in MFTRPs.

Please contact your ORPA Research Administrator with any questions.

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The University has introduced new tools to help researchers manage import tariffs on research equipment. With tariffs of 10-35% now affecting purchases from the EU, China, and other countries, researchers face scenarios that vary by product, country of origin, and federal policy. As tariff applicability is specific to individual purchases, and potential retroactive refund opportunities are pending a Supreme Court decision, researchers are best positioned to track their own purchases and potential refunds.

Request vendor justification
Ask your vendor for detailed justification (product codes, tariff filings, country-of-origin information, and quotes). Vendors typically have the best insight into how their products are classified and billed. See the for self-service information, including what to request from vendors and when to escalate questions.

Service Desk Support
If vendor information doesn’t resolve your question, email priceincrease@urmc.rochester.edu. ĚýYour inquiry will be routed to Procurement or the Office of Counsel based on the issue.

Electronic Form 338 Application
For tariff exception requests, use the . When you complete the form and include the required justification (e.g., receipts, quotes, and technical requirements), the system will automatically generate a PDF in the required federal format needed for submission to authorities. You will receive a copy of the completed form, and the Office of Counsel will also be notified through the Service Desk dashboard. It is highly recommended that you wait to take any further action until Counsel reviews your request; they aim to review and respond to all exception submissions within one week. Counsel will determine whether the request should move forward or help identify submissions that are unlikely to be approved or are too small to justify the effort – an important step given that federal approval can take up to a year.

Please note that these tools are intended to assist—rather than replace—researcher-led tracking and documentation. Tariff scenarios are highly specific, and departments remain best positioned to monitor their own purchases.

Kindly,

Anthony Beckman
Associate Vice President for Research & Project Administration

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