University Research Council

January 12, 2005

Meeting Summary

ITARs and EARs

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITARs) and Export Administration Regulations (EARs) have become increasingly relevant in the post-9/11 world.  The Office of the Provost and the Office of Research are educating the University community on these issues.  The Provost’s memo on ITARs and EARs is located on the Provost’s website. 

Department of Homeland Security Centers of Excellence

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) requesting proposals for a Center of Excellence on Behavioral and Social Aspects of Terrorism and Counterterrorism.  The University of Pittsburgh responded to the BAA via a consortium led by Penn State University.  DHS conducted a site visit at Penn State, but the Center was awarded to a consortium led by the University of Maryland.  The University of Pittsburgh will lead a consortium that will respond to the soon-to-be-released DHS first responder BAA.

Office of Research

Allen DiPalma, Acting Director of the Office of Research, discussed the Office’s operations.  Initial work on the InfoEd electronic proposal tracking system will take place behind the scenes.  Beginning next year, principal investigators will be able to submit proposals electronically and Office staffers will be able to track proposals electronically.

The Office of Research sponsored a forum for research administrators.  Policy and procedural changes and ITARs and EARs were discussed.  Approximately 150 to 200 individuals attended.  The forum was part of an ongoing series that the Office of Research uses to educate research administrators.

RFPs for the Competitive Medical Research Fund (CMRF) and the Central Research Development Fund (CRDF) have been released.  Proposals for the CMRF are due January 19, and proposals for the CRDF are due February 1.

Subcommittees

The Subcommittee on Electronic Research Administration continues to work with the Office of Research on the InfoEd proposal tracking system.  The Subcommittee on Interdisciplinary Small Grants is developing an RFP for the interdisciplinary small grants program.  The Subcommittee on Support for the Humanities is developing a proposal to the Mellon Foundation.

Miscellaneous

Several other issues were discussed:

  • The University is preparing for the National Research Council departmental evaluations.
  • The University is developing a strategic marketing plan to publicize its expertise in nanotechnology.
  • The annual Washington, D.C., funding trip will take place on March 20th and 21st.
  • The Technology Commercialization Alliance will sponsor a course on entrepreneurship in academia.