Meeting Summary
Grants.gov
Allen
DiPalma, Director of the Office of Research, discussed the federal government’s
new Internet-based, grant-application site.
Grants.gov is an initiative that is designed
to improve access to federal funding programs.
It is a one-stop shop through which researchers can apply for funding
from more than 1000 programs. Grants.gov
should reduce the time and costs associated with applying for grants, limit the
need to interface with multiple agencies, and reduce redundant information and
data requests.
Unfortunately, as with most new
systems, users must invest some effort to become familiar with the site and to
eliminate any bugs in the site’s software.
Both principal investigators and Office of Research staff must learn new
procedures. Researchers also must
download PDF-generation software (PureEdge viewer) in order to apply for
grants. A Macintosh-compatible version
of PureEdge does not yet exist, but this software should be available Macintosh
users in November of this year. Mr.
DiPalma’s presentation can be viewed here.
Central Research Development Fund
As in the past, members of the Council will
evaluate applications to the Central Research Development Fund. Each application will be evaluated by one of
three Council subcommittees, whose members specialize in the humanities and the
social sciences, engineering and the sciences, or the health sciences.