SUBJECT:

Important Research Reminders

* Principal Investigators (PIs) have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure expenditures and activities under their awards meet the project goals and objectives without significantly deviating from the work plan submitted in the proposal. All expenditures must be reasonable and necessary, allocable and consistent with UCSD policy. Overall guidance on financial responsibilities can be found in UCSD's Administrative Handbook: http://blink.ucsd.edu/finance/accountability/admin-responsbilities/handbook.html Information specific to allowability and allocability of supplies, equipment and travel or salary and benefits costs is in the handbook and at the following additional websites: http://blink.ucsd.edu/finance/tools/sampling/faq/a21.html. http://opafs.ucsd.edu/uploaded/ECERTCertifierFullVersionHandout.pdf.

* Responsible Conduct of Research training requirements for NIH and NSF grants must be completed and certified to meet the conditions of the award. For Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars, existing courses and workshops are available through UCSD's nationally recognized Research Ethics Program. Information on courses and workshops can be found at: http://ethics.ucsd.edu/courses/index.html. Undergraduate students paid on NSF awards may complete their requirement with the handout on major RCR topics as part of the student employment packet they receive from the academic unit in which they will conduct their research.

* A new Patent Acknowledgement form is now in use for all new faculty and staff hires at UCSD. All other employees will be asked to sign an amendment to the patent document that you signed when you came to the University. Beginning this week, VRES, an OP-selected vendor will send an email to your UC email address of record with a copy of the Patent Amendment and directions for submitting your electronic signature. Please sign the Amendment promptly when you receive it. Information about the amendment and the signing process, including answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs), is available on the At Your Service website: http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/employees/policies_employee_labor_relations/patent-acknowledgment/index.html.

If you have questions on these or other topics, please feel free to contact me (sandrabrown@ucsd.edu, 858-534-3526).

Sandra A. Brown Vice Chancellor for Research