March 14, 2022

GMAS March 2022 Release

GMAS will be unavailable beginning at 6PM on Friday, March 19, to support the upcoming March 2022 release, available on Monday, March 21^st. The focus of this release includes enhancements to support the process of tracking whether a project has participant support costs and implementing the research team panels to continuation and supplement requests. Additional enhancements include updates to transaction monitoring, some modifications to the Just-in-time request, as well as bug fixes and technical changes.

To view the full list of release notes, refer to the GMAS March 2022 Release HCSRA post.

B2P Updates

• Accounts Payable & Supplier 1:1 Onboarding Support

Have training/troubleshooting needs beyond the quick reference guides and office hours? B2P now offers virtual 1:1 appointments through Microsoft Bookings. Book a 20-min appointment for further assistance.

• B2P March 2022 Maintenance 

Buy-to-Pay (B2P) will be unavailable for planned maintenance from 9PM on Friday, March 18 through 12PM Sunday, March 20.

COVID Update: Phased Easing of COVID Restrictions

Optional Masking

• As of Monday, March 14, masking will be optional at Harvard Chan School and in all indoor spaces on all of Harvard’s campuses. Although Boston’s mask-optional guidance is already in effect (as of March 5), we feel the additional days will help us prepare our campus and staff for this transition while we also ensure that case counts in and around our community stay low. However, the University has given the Schools located in Boston the flexibility to implement the relaxation of the mask mandate earlier, and HMS and HSDM have decided to go mask-optional as of Monday, March 7.
  • Masks will still be required in healthcare facilities, public transit, University buses and shuttles, and for individuals completing isolation or quarantine.
  • Masks will also still be required at any gatherings indoors that exceed 250 persons.
• Anyone who would prefer to continue wearing a mask should feel free to do so. We expect that all Chan School community members will be respectful of an individual’s decision to wear (or not wear) a mask.
• Individual instructors may choose to continue to require masking in their classes.
• Eating and drinking will be allowed on campus, including classrooms, but individual instructors may choose to limit these activities at their discretion.

• The University is not changing its testing requirements at this time.
• If you have symptoms, please stay home, wear a mask, and get a COVID-19 test.
• If you test positive, follow public health guidance to avoid transmitting the virus and wear a high-quality mask for a full 10 days. Also, if you test positive using an antigen or other external test, please report the positive result to HUHS using Crimson Clear.

Vaccination
As before, all Harvard community members, except those with an approved exemption, are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination and boosters

Please refer to the University message for more details on the updated guidance.

New Resource: Participant Support Costs Informational Video

Participant Support Costs as defined by 2 CFR §200.1, 200.456, are direct costs for items such as stipends or subsistence allowances, travel allowances, and registration fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees (but not employees) in connection with conferences, or training projects (note that participant support costs do not apply to NIH training grants).

Last month, we announced the new Participant Supports Cost guidance and procedures to help you manage these expenses. Today, we would like to inform you of OSP's Participant Support Costs Informational Video.

• NEW Resource: Participant Support Costs Informational Video (login required, approx 30 mins)
• Participant Support Costs Guidance
• Procedures for Participant Support Costs

OVPR's Updated Guidance on Russia-related Sanctions & Impacts on University Research

OVPR has provided updated Export Control guidance on Russia-related sanctions and impacts on University Research. Please review the Export Control Guidance on Russia-related Sanctions. 

Contact Harvard Chan School’s Export Control Administrator, Jennifer Neira at jneira@hsph.harvard.edu:

• Before shipping or transferring, even by email, any items or technology to Russia or Belarus. 
• If you currently have or anticipate any activities involving individuals, colleagues, businesses, universities, etc. in Russia, Belarus, Luhansk People's Republic, Donetsk People's Republic, or the Crimea regions of Ukraine including, but not limited to,: 
  • Collaborations on research or other projects
  • Exports from/imports to Russia, Belarus, LNR, DNR, or the Crimea Region of Ukraine
  • Technology exchanges with these regions
  • Travel to these regions
  • Financial dealings with individuals or entities in these regions

Coming Soon: New Scientific Data Sharing Website

If you’re working on NIH-funded research, you probably know the new NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy goes into effect January 25, 2023. Don’t worry — there are several resources in the works to help you prepare. In April, NIH is launching a new NIH Scientific Data Sharing website, a one-stop shop for all the information you need to know about NIH sharing policies. Check out a sneak peek of the new website.

Coming in Summer 2022: Ability to Consolidate Multiple eRA Commons Accounts 

For those eRA Commons users who have multiple accounts in eRA Commons, NIH is pleased to announce the upcoming ability to consolidate multiple accounts. For example, a person may have an account as a Signing Official or Assistant, and another as PI (typically small business applicants).

The capability to consolidate multiple Commons accounts will be available in summer 2022 and NIH strongly recommends that users request this consolidation once it is available. They'll provide more information on the consolidation process, closer to the release date.

New and Updated Other Support FAQs Now Available

The answers to these and other new and updated FAQs are now available on NIH's Other Support FAQ page. Just look for the  and  icons for updates made in the last 60 days.

• Can Other Support be signed with a wet signature or typed name?
• The new Other Support format page includes a chart that asks for the Year (YYYY). Is this calendar year or fiscal year?
• If only pending support has changed since the competing submission or latest RPPR, is updated Other Support required in the next RPPR submission?
• With the new Other Support format page, are pending grants now required on Other Support pages submitted for RPPRs?
• If an Other Support document was correct at time of submission but a new source of support is received, does an updated other support document need to be submitted at that time?
• Do PD/PIs need to provide copies of foreign grants, contracts, and agreements that are still pending and not yet finalized?
• If a PD/PI has no effort on a project but does have salary support, should it be reported in the In-Kind section?

Fishbowl Tuesdays at the Harvard Chan School are 1 to 1 1/2 hour sessions held on a regular basis during the academic year. All sessions are currently being held via Zoom. Invitations to attend each session (with Zoom Meeting Info) are sent to our research administrator’s mailing list. Please contact Jennifer Neira with questions, suggestions, or to have your name added to the email list.
 

Celebration with the Stars Event

Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 2:00PM 

Register: A zoom link will be provided closer to the day of the event

Description: The Celebration with the Stars (CWTS) is an annual recognition event that honors staff, faculty and academic appointees who’ve reached a service milestone based on their benefits-eligible years of service at Harvard.

A virtual event will take place on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 2:00 PM to honor staff, faculty and academic appointees who have reached a service milestone in calendar year 2021 (January 1, 2021 – December 1, 2021). 

A list of the CY2021 honorees is available here!

Disclosing Other Support: Guidance for Faculty and Key Personnel (University-wide)

Date: Ongoing

Register: Harvard Training Portal

Description: This course is required for faculty members who submit proposals to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the National Science Foundation (NSF), and Senior/Key Personnel on an NIH and/or NSF-funded project. This module provides important information on the changes to NIH and NSF Disclosures.

The University strongly encourages all researchers and administrators to take this training by January 25, 2022. 

ScienCV Training for PIs

Date: Ongoing

Register: Harvard Training Portal

Description: The Harvard Training Portal (HTP) recently added 7 ScienCV and Biosketch training sessions for researchers. They are instructed by Scott Lapinski, Associate Director, Scholarly Communication and Open Science at the Countway Library.  

NCURA Live Webinar: Agency Updates with OMB (University-wide)

Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022, 11:15AM - 12:30PM

Register: Harvard Training Portal

Description: The Office of Management and Budget oversees the implementation of the President’s vision across the Executive Branch. Join us for the latest updates from OMB.

NCURA Live Webinar: Agency Updates with NSF (University-wide)

Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022, 2:00PM - 3:15PM

Register: Harvard Training Portal

Description: This session will cover new developments related to proposal and award policy at NSF. NSF staff will provide a comprehensive review of recent policy changes as well as major updates to NSF’s proposal system modernization efforts. Participants will learn and be able to ask questions about NSF proposal and award policies and procedures, agency priorities, and advances with proposal submission modernization and Research.gov.

NCURA Live Webinar: Agency Updates with NIH (University-wide)

Date:  Thursday, March 17, 2022, 3:45PM - 4:45PM

Register: Harvard Training Portal

Description: Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about what is new and what is being developed within the National Institute of Health's (NIH) programs, policies, and budgets. In this comprehensive review, participants will learn about the newest policy updates and how their respective institutions may be impacted. Upon completion of the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about new and existing policies and procedures. Topics include recent and upcoming changes to NIH policy, compliance requirements, and so much more. Participants will learn about NIH’s budget priorities. Participants will learn about new policies and compliance initiatives. Participants will gain insight into current issues at NIH

Research Management Meeting (RMM)

Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 12:30PM - 2:00PM

Register: Registration link

Description: The agenda is currently TBD but it will include a Participant Support Costs update and other up research administration updates.

(ICYMI) January's RMM highlighted important points on the changes in Faculty Disclosures and Other Support requirements. The resources used/referenced during this session are listed below:

• Video Recording of the Session (HUID log-in required)
• Presentation Slides
• Updated Q&A from the session

GMAS Basics & Requests 

Date: Tuesday, March 29 & Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 10:00AM - 12:00PM 

Register: Harvard Training Portal

Description: Brought to you by the University Research Administration Training Team, “GMAS Basics & Requests” will provide attendees with an introduction to Harvard’s Grants Management Application Suite (GMAS) and how it is used to manage sponsored projects.

The following topics will be covered during this session:

• Basic system navigation
• Overview of the content housed within the system
• How to access different project data elements
• Portfolio management tools

Introduction to Data Management Plans

Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 12:00PM - 12:30PM

Register: Registration link

Description: Many key granting organizations, like NSF, NIH, NEH, and more, now require submitters to include a Data Management Plan (DMP) as part of their application. In short, these plans outline the best practices in data management that you will apply throughout the course of your grant. By creating a data management plan for your data at the beginning of the project, you save time and effort later on.

This virtual session will provide an introduction to the components of typical data management plans.

Clinical Trials: The What, How and Why of Registering

Date: Thursday, March 31, 2022, 10:00AM - 11:00AM

Register: Registration link

Description: This QIP Education Session will discuss reasons and avenues for clinical trial reporting, with a focus on ClinicalTrials.gov. We will learn about tools and resources for trial registration and reporting in the ClinicalTrials.gov system and provide tips and tricks for keeping records up to date and compliant. We will also discuss the real world implications and importance of clinical trial access to a broad population and the role of ClinicalTrials.gov in supporting this access.

Job Openings in Research Administration

We would like to use this section to highlight current research administration job openings. We will keep this section up to date and all job postings can be found on Harvard Careers. 

Assistant Director of Finance 
Sponsored Programs Administration - GHP
The ADF is an integral part of the research enterprise and works in close partnership with faculty members on the financial management of their research portfolio. The Assistant Director of Finance will oversee the financial management and administration of sponsored and non-sponsored awards, with a focus on customer service.  This role will also supervise a team of 3 direct reports that manage a diverse and challenging portfolio of federal and non-federal grants, subawards and contracts.
Grade: 57
57388BR

Financial Associate II (Finance Associate)
Sponsored Programs Administration - MET
Description: The Finance Associate is an integral part of the research and academic enterprise and performs multiple diverse and complex accounting and financial management duties serving primarily the Department of Molecular Metabolism but may provide the same services to additional departments. The Finance Associate works collaboratively with other members of the team in the areas of Accounts Payable, Corporate Cards, Reimbursements, billing and monitoring for numerous Academic Service Centers and general financial support. 
Grade: 55
57110BR

Financial Associate I (Financial Associate)
Sponsored Programs Administration - IID
Description: The Financial Associate will support innovative research in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases (IID) at the world's leading public health research institution. IID focuses on the biological, immunological, epidemiological and ecological aspects of viral, bacterial and protozoan diseases of animals and humans, including the vectors that transmit infectious agents.
Grade: 54
57072BR

Accounting Assistant V (Finance Assistant)
Sponsored Programs Administration - EH
Description: The Accounting Assistant is an integral part of the research enterprise and will work directly with the Financial Associate, as well as the Financial Manager, to perform a variety of accounts payable and accounts receivable duties in a timely, professional, courteous and collaborative manner.
Grade: 53
56978BR

Senior Grants and Contracts Manager
Sponsored Programs Administration
Description: The Senior Grants and Contracts Manager is an integral part of the research enterprise and manages the proposal submissions for a given department. They work in close partnership with faculty members and are responsible for proposal preparation and submission. Reporting to the Team Lead, they will work with all aspects of pre-award finances but will have some exposure to post-award management which may include setting up awards, managing contracts, endowments, and gifts.
Grade: 56
55511BR

Senior Grants and Contracts Manager
Sponsored Programs Administration
Description: The Senior Grants and Contracts Manager is an integral part of the research enterprise and manages the proposal submissions for a given department. They work in close partnership with faculty members and are responsible for proposal preparation and submission. Reporting to the Team Lead, they will work with all aspects of pre-award finances but will have some exposure to post-award management which may include setting up awards, managing contracts, endowments, and gifts.
Grade: 56
54437BR

Senior Sponsored Research Administrator
Sponsored Programs Administration
Description: The Senior Sponsored Research Administrator (SSRA) will support innovative research at the world's leading public health research institution where areas of research are focused across nine academic departments which include Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Molecular Metabolism, Global Health & Population, Health Policy & Management, Immunology & Infectious Disease, Nutrition, and Social Behavioral Sciences.  The SSRA is assigned departments and faculty/researchers (P.I.s) with the administration of pre-award, as well as some awards management tasks with a focus on compliance and customer support.
Grade: 56
56648BR

Financial Associate II (Finance Associate) 
Sponsored Programs Administration - EH
Description: The Finance Associate is an integral part of the research enterprise and manages task completion in the accounts payable (AP) and non-sponsored accounts areas. They work in close partnership with faculty members, faculty assistants, grant managers, accounting assistants, and vendors. Reporting to the Finance Manager, they will manage AP task completion by others on the EH-Finance Team.
Grade: 55
56381BR

Senior Grants and Contracts Manager
Sponsored Programs Administration
Description: The Senior Grants and Contracts Manager is an integral part of the research enterprise and manages the proposal submissions for a given department. They work in close partnership with faculty members and are responsible for proposal preparation and submission. Reporting to the Team Lead, they will work with all aspects of pre-award finances but will have some exposure to post-award management which may include setting up awards, managing contracts, endowments, and gifts.
Grade: 56
56332BR