FAQs: Research at the School of Medicine
Summary and quick links
SOM staff responses to emergency conditions reference sheet (legal size/letter size)
SOM offices supporting research
Help for new faculty
Sponsored research and consulting agreements
Staff and trainees
Research supplies, equipment, travel
Human subjects research
Intellectual property, confidentiality, entrepreneurial activities
Facilities: renovation and repair
Environmental health and safety
Other compliance issues and training
Computers/network/Internet
Security, losses
Research animals
SOM core facilities and collaborators
SOM research facilities: current and planned construction and major renovations
Research policies
SOM offices supporting research
How does the Office of Grants and Contracts support research at the SOM? The office provides: institutional approval of proposals; interpretation of sponsor policies; assistance with budget development; post-award assistance (extensions, changes in work scope, close-out, etc.); with UVA Office of Sponsored Programs, negotiation of clinical trials, research, materials transfer, confidentiality, and consulting agreements. Contact: Stewart Craig, Assistant Dean for Research Administration.
How does SOM Grants and Contracts differ from UVA Sponsored Programs? Grants and Contracts carries out most of the functions of the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) on behalf of SOM faculty. The exceptions are post-award financial management (OSP only), negotiation of contracts and agreements (both offices), and consulting agreements (Grants and Contracts only).
What are the responsibilities of the Office for Research? Financial conflict of interest; dissemination of targeted funding opportunities; volunteers in research; management of research space and core facilities; assistance with complex grant and contract proposals; and medical student research opportunities. Contact: Dr. Steven Wasserman, Assistant Dean for Research.
How does the Clinical Trials Office support clinical research? Mentoring of clinical research coordinators; protocol development and preparation; continuing education; study monitoring; and quality assurance. Contact Lori Elder, Director.
What are the responsibilities of the Graduate Programs Office? Administrative support for Biomedical Sciences graduate programs and SOM postdoctoral fellows; data collection/management/reporting and other support for training grant proposals and institutional reports; undergraduate Summer Research Internship Program. Contact: Dr. Joel Hockensmith, Assistant Dean for Graduate Research and Training.
I'm a new faculty member. Now what? Access our link to resources for new research faculty using the left menu on this site. If you can't find what you need there, just ask.
Sponsored research and consulting agreements
Where can I find information on research funding programs? The SOM Office for Research sends targeted announcements of external funding opportunities to faculty and departments/centers. The Office's web site also provides strategies for finding funding. Additional information on research funding...
How do I apply for funding? Principal Investigators are strongly urged to seek a collegial review before submitting a proposal. Departmental and Office of Grants and Contracts approval is required prior to submission of any proposal. Your administrator should help you generate budgets and application forms and forward the proposal to the Office of Grants and Contracts for review and approval. Additional information on applying for funding...
Who can help me prepare clinical trials budgets and invoice for trial expenses? The Clinical Trials Office can help investigators prepare clinical trials budgets, negotiate budgets with sponsors, and invoice sponsors as study milestones are achieved. Additional information...
Can I consult externally as a SOM employee? UVA policy permits faculty to consult one day in seven (one per calendar week), but the SOM allows only 45 days. The SOM policy on consulting and professional activities requires that all consulting agreements be reviewed by the Office of Grants and Contracts prior to approval.
How do I hire staff? Contact your department HR administrator to create positions within the UVA HR system, advertise for and interview candidates, and offer positions. Additional information...
How can I join the faculty of a Biomedical Sciences (BIMS) Graduate Program? Contact Dr. Joel Hockensmith, Assistant Dean for Graduate Resaerch and Training. Additional information on BIMS programs...
What financial and other support are available to graduate students? In general, the SOM provides the first year of student stipends; thereafter, they are supported financially by training grants, research grants, or departmental funds. Additional information on financial support...
What information is available to enrolled graduate students? Consult the Graduate Programs Office web site for general information for enrolled BIMS students.
What information and support are available to postdoctoral trainees? The Graduate Programs Office maintains an on-line application system for UVA postdocs. Consult the UVA Postdoctoral Office for information on housing, visas, benefits, tax issues, etc.
May visitors or volunteers participate in my research? Submit a SOM volunteer agreement to the Dean's Office for approval prior to the visitor's arrival. Note: there are restrictions on UVA volunteers holding B-1, B-2, F-2, or H-4 visas. Refer to the form.
How do foreign employees and trainees obtain and maintain visas? Your administrator should work with the Dean's Office (Jean Snoddy) and the International Students & Scholars Office to apply for and maintain visas.
What training is available for UVA supervisors? All supervisors must take training on Preventing Sexual Harassment and Preventing Employment Discrimination through the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and training on supervising UVA personnel (HR site).
Research supplies, equipment, travel
How do I order research supplies, equipment, and services? Orders are placed through the on-line UVA Marketplace. Your administrator can arrange access to that system and can facilitate the purchase of large equipment and services. Don't forget that many assays and other services, including the use of shared equipment, are available from the SOM research core facilities (see below).
How can I arrange and get reimbursed for job-related travel? See your administrator and access Procurement Services's guidelines and tips on travel. Requires pre-travel approval and post-travel reimbursement.
Where can I find information on clinical research? The SOM Clinical Trials Office's Orientation Manual is a compendium on the subject of clinical trials (Good Clinical Practice, ethics, protocol submission, managing trials, etc.). Also refer to our site on clinical research.
How can I get help in developing human use protocols and case report forms (CRFs)? Contact the SOM Clinical Trials Office. The Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology (Dept. of Public Health Sciences) can help with study design, analytic plans, and analysis of preliminary data to support protocol development.
Does the institution support development, submission, and maintenance of FDA Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) and Investigational Device Exemptions (IDEs)? INDs and IDEs are required for clinical trials of new drugs and devices and of approved drugs that are tested beyond the limits of current product licensure. Contact the SOM Clinical Trials Office for help in developing, submitting, and maintaining FDA applications.
How do I submit protocols to the IRB? First, take on-line IRB training. If you've not yet or just arrived at UVA, you can log on as a guest. Submission of protocols and requests for exemptions are facilitated via this site.
What training and professional development opportunities are available for my clinical research coordinator (CRC)? The IRB-HSR requires on-line training for clinical coordinators and offers a voluntary program on IRB and broader issues. The Clinical Trials Office conducts continuing education, informal discussions, clinical research professional meetings, and mentoring of CRCs.
How do I recruit research subjects? The Health System web site lists current clinical trials (click here to list your trial). The Health System newsletter (The Link) also lists current trials (click here to list your trial). See IRB-HSR advertising guidelines for clinical studies. Clinicaltrials.gov is another way to broadcast one's clinical study beyond the University.
Does UVA have a research pharmacy to support clinical research? The Medical Center's Investigational Drug Service can receive, log, prepare, and blind study drugs. Contact them to discuss services and fees that you should build into your study budget.
Can I access clinical coordinators and clinical space for my investigator-initiated research? The General Clinical Research Center provides inpatient and outpatient facilities, staff, core laboratory assays, and computing and statistical support for studies that have been approved by its Advisory Committee. The Cancer Center provides CRCs for cancer trials.
What office supports quality assurance and monitoring activities? The Clinical Trials Office helps investigators prepare and maintain SOPs and prepare for sponsor/FDA audits, and monitors investigator-initiated studies.
Where/how can I register my own clinical trials on-line? All sponsors of UVA clinical studies should register at http://prsinfo.clinicaltrials.gov/. Note that the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors requires that registration of Phase 1 clinical trials at a public site before they can be published in those journals.
What resources are available for retrospective research using hospital patient data? The UVA Clinical Data Repository provides clinical information for the retrospective analysis of health care data.
Intellectual property, confidentiality, entrepreneurial activities
How can I protect and develop my own intellectual property (IP)? Submit invention disclosures to the UVA Patent Foundation, who will advise you on patenting and licensing. Additional information on IP...
Who negotiates and signs confidentiality and material transfer agreements? The Office of Grants and Contracts is responsible for both "incoming" and "outgoing" agreements. Additional information...
Is there help available to start a company to commercialize my intellectual property? For an overview of the entrepreneurial process, see the UVA Faculty Entrepreneur's Guidebook. Spinner Technologies, Inc., a for-profit subsidiary of the UVA Patent Foundation, can provide help during start-up, including short-term rental of research lab space. The Darden School's Batten Institute can help you develop your business plan and with other aspects of creating and managing a company.
Facilities: renovation and repair
How do I renovate my research space? Your research administrator should work with Facilities Management to perform renovations.
How do I effect facilities repairs, both emergency and non-emergency? Submit a work order 24/7 with Physical Plant (x4-2267 or on-line).
Environmental health and safety
What approvals are required in order to use recombinant DNA, toxins, select agents, human tissues, or pathogens? Contact the Institutional Biosafety Committee to register your proposed research, obtain training, and arrange a lab inspection prior to receiving or using such materials.
What about other biological, chemical, radioactive hazards? Contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety for specific requirements and a schedule of training sessions. Don't forget to obtain training on shipping of infectious substances or diagnostic specimens, if applicable.
Other compliance issues and training
What other training must I take? HIPAA privacy training is available via the Health System's NetLearning system. All SOM employees also must complete the UVA Information Technology and Communication (ITC) on-line computer security program.
Who offers training in responsible conduct of research (RCR)? Trainees on federal training grants are required to take BIMS 710, which is coordinated by the Graduate Programs Office. Individuals who audit the course may not participate in small-group sessions. Additional information on RCR...
Whom do I contact to discuss financial conflicts of interest (COIs)? Contact the Office for Research/Dr. Steven Wasserman or the UVA Conflicts of Interest Committee (Dr. Patricia Tereskerz, Chair). Additional information on COIs...
Who is responsible for tracking the financial status of my accounts? PIs are legally responsible for all expenditures on their accounts and must approve their financial statements every month. Your department administrator should provide reports of expenditures as recorded in the Oracle financial system, for your review and approval. Additional information on roles and responsibilities...
What are my responsibilities concerning effort reporting? Faculty and research staff must periodically report their efforts on various activities. Your administrator can describe your department's methodology for tracking effort and discuss the content of your effort report prior to your approval. It is important for you to maintain records of your external activities (travel to professional meetings, seminars at other institutions), in case an audit is performed.
Who can assist with computer purchase and set-up and with connectivity issues? Your department administrator should refer you to your Local Support Partner (LSP), who can discuss equipment specifications and set up new computers purchased on University funds. Depending on the department or center where you reside, your local area network may be supported by UVA Information Technology & Communication, Health System Computing Services, or departmental personnel and servers.
How can I obtain UVA discounted or site-licensed software? Information Technology and Communication offers for downloading several PC and Mac applications (note restrictions on use). Cavalier Computers offers academic discounts on software for personal use.
Whom do I contact in case of property loss or injury? In case of injury, immediately phone 911 for emergency help. UVA Human Resources handles claims for workers' compensation. Your administrator can help file a claim with Risk Management for reimbursement of property losses.
How do I contact police/security? Contact HS Security or UVA Police to report a crime or to request a security assessment of your facilities. In an emergency, phone 911. For non-emergent issues:
- HS security: 924-5048
- UVA police: 924-7166
How do I submit an animal protocol? Access the IACUC's protocol submission system.
What training is required for researchers using animals? Training in animal use is required for faculty and staff who work with research animals. Additional information on the use of research animals...
How do I order research animals? You must have an IACUC-approved protocol before you can order animals. Vertebrate animals are ordered by the Center for Comparative Medicine (procedures for ordering; deadlines). Animals are delivered 4 to 5 business days after the ordering deadline.
How do I request additional animal cages? Increases in your allotted number of cages require prior approval from the Center for Comparative Medicine.
What is Occupational Health? This is a required health program for individuals who work with research animals.
SOM core facilities and collaborators
What research core facilities are available at the SOM? The several institutional cores (list of core contacts) offer access to services and specialized equipment. Additional cores are provided by research centers and complex research awards.
How do I find UVA research collaborators and consultants? Consult the Research Faculty Directory or contact the Office for Research/Dr. Steven Wasserman.
Should I create any policies for my own research group? Consider creating your own policies on authorship and data integrity (including manipulation of graphics) that fit the research being conducted by your group. Creating and adhering to such policies will reduce the potential for authorship disputes and research misconduct. Additional details here.
Can I get help in managing and maintaining the integrity of my research data? Read HHMI's "Making the Right Moves," Chapter 8 (data recording, witnessing, retention, and security). The Office for Research/Dr. Steven Wasserman can provide recommendations tailored to your research program. Additional information on research recordkeeping...
What other institutional and SOM policies govern research? Access this list of research policies.