UNIVERSITY RESEARCH COUNCIL
DR. GEORGE E. KLINZING, CHAIR
MINUTES -- FEBRUARY 21, 2002

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m.

MINUTES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

No changes were requested to the minutes of the January 10, 2002 meeting.

  • The AAU has drawn attention to the numerous research opportunities in the areas of antiterrorism, networking and information technology, and nanotechnology.
  • This year's federal agency briefing trip will take place on March 24 and 25.
  • The GSR salary issue has been added as an agenda item for the next AAU meeting.

BRAINSTORMING

Klinzing asked this group to provide topic ideas (across disciplines) for brainstorming sessions. Klinzing will contact Kerr regarding ideas generated by the subcommittee.

FACULTY ASSISTANCE

Klinzing reported that results of the questionnaire distributed to participants in the previous federal agency briefings have been compiled into a report. Many of the participants indicated that future trips should be planned with a window built into the schedule for one-on-one meetings with program officers. The results of the questionnaire will be shared with the subcommittee. Panah reported that the group has also been working on enhancing undergraduate research.

Klinzing informed Council about the Brackenridge Undergraduate Fellowships and suggested that members of Council look at the undergraduate research opportunities Website located at http://www.pitt.edu/~urop/.

PATENT RIGHTS AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER POLICY

Klinzing reported that the revision of this policy is still evolving.

COMMERCIALIZATION POLICY REVISION

Klinzing reported that this revision is still under review.

COPYRIGHT POLICY

Husted reported that this revision is set to go forward and will be reviewed by a faculty member in the Law School.

FY03 CENTRAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT FUND (CRDF) -- SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

Sixty proposals have been received. Preliminary assignments for proposal review were made. Chairs should supplement their respective subcommittees as necessary for completion of reviews. Recommendations for funding should be submitted to Sandra Glaneman, 826 CL, by April 15, 2002.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH -- MICHAEL CROUCH

  • The constituency of the new grants officer hired last month will be centered in the Health Sciences.
  • The numbers of researchers utilizing the training certification modules are impressive. Almost 7900 people have completed self-certification in Module 1 on Research Integrity. Approximately 6000 have completed Module 2 (IRB) and around 4300 have completed Module 3 (Animal Care). Module 4 on Radiation Safety will soon be operational.
  • NIH has received a definitive budget. Researchers may be receiving an increased allocation on NIH grants due to calculations that had been prorated.

NEW BUSINESS

Ness questioned if there had been a reported cut in HRQ funding. Crouch will look into this.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:58 a.m.

 

cc: Elizabeth Baranger, N. John Cooper, Gerald Holder