The following sample texts are provided to assist you with the preparation of grant applications. However each investigator/fellow should modify and add to the text in a manner which will accurately reflect his or her project. If a portion of the text does not apply to the grant (i.e. animals are not involved on the project), the language which is not applicable should obviously not be included in the application.
Sample RCR Language for NIH Applications
Graduate Student RCR Training The Division of the Biological Sciences requires all first-year students to attend a formal, graded course on Scientific Integrity and the responsible conduct of research. The purpose of the course is to stimulate thinking and facilitate discussion about the purpose and necessity of ethical conduct with respect to scientific and academic practices; to create personal awareness of the ethical dilemmas and choices that may be encountered in the course of an academic career in the sciences; and to provide practical information regarding policies and procedures related to conduct in the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Chicago. The format of the 10-week long course (the University of Chicago follows the quarter system) includes weekly formal sessions attended by the full registration and small group sessions where students and an assigned faculty discuss specific ethical issues. The small groups present lessons to the larger group on an assigned ethical issue. Faculty from the BSD graduate training programs participate as presenters in the weekly formal sessions and as mentors to the small groups. Finally, all students complete a reflection paper on a topic of the student's choice.
In accordance with new NIH policy, BSD students will repeat this course, probably in year 4 of their program. At this stage the students are actively engaged in their thesis research and likely will have faced ethical dilemmas in the lab - training in the ethical conduct of research is an ongoing process. Because their experience will be broader than a first-year graduate student, the objectives for their training will be different. These objectives will be announced in advance of the start of Spring Quarter 2011.
Intellectual Property/Data Sharing Plans
Background Regarding Intellectual Property/Data Sharing Plans
Increasingly, NIH RFAs and RFPs either require or encourage a statement pertaining to the sharing of research resources or to intellectual property. The following sample language may be useful to Principal Investigators to consider as they prepare proposals to the NIH.
Objectives
NIH wants to ensure that research tools, resources developed with NIH funds are readily available to the research community. NIH looks for specific plans for sharing data, materials and software generated with NIH funds. Such resources should be freely available by entire research community, consistent with the terms of Bayh-Dole Act. The NIH Policy statement on this subject is titled Principles and Guidelines for Recipients of NIH Research Grants and Contracts on Obtaining and Disseminating Biomedical Research Resources.
A statement on data sharing is required by NIH of applicants seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year of the project period (Final NIH Statement On Sharing Research Data). Data sharing is particularly important in those NIH-funded programs where databases are being developed, or libraries of methodologies, sequences, SNPs, etc. are a funding objective. Investigators should describe clearly and directly how data will be shared: e.g. open source code, posting of data to an open web site, publications/presentations to the research community. Reasonable time delays for protection of rights are permissible under Bayh-Dole and should be mentioned, if appropriate.
Your proposal may be adversely affected if you do not document that you understand and agree to abide by applicable NIH and University of Chicago policies and procedures. To assist you in fulfilling your obligations as a recipient of federal funding and as a member of the faculty, we have prepared some sample language that you should adapt to reflect the types of research tools involved or that you expect to be created if your application is funded. Your signature on the proposal confirms to NIH that you understand and accept these important responsibilities.
Sample Language
The University of Chicago is committed to the open and timely dissemination of research outcomes. Investigators in the proposed activity recognize that promising new methods, technologies, strategies and computer software [revise as applicable to the nature of the research program] may arise during the course of the research. The Investigators are aware of and agreed to abide by the principles for sharing research resources as described by NIH in “Principles and Guidelines for Recipients of NIH Research Grants and Contracts on Obtaining and Disseminating Biomedical Research Resources.”
While the investigators expect that research tools will be freely shared with the research community, opportunities for technology transfer through commercialization will be explored as appropriate. Working with the University community, the University of Chicago’s Office of Technology and Intellectual Property (The Polsky Center), manages intellectual property at the University of Chicago. The Polsky Center serves faculty, staff and students by commercializing inventions, ideas and software developed at the University to ensure that new knowledge benefits society.
The Polsky Center works with researchers to assess the commercial potential of new ideas. The Polsky Center’s goals are to disseminate new ideas so the public can benefit from discoveries, and to generate revenues for research and education. When the best means of disseminating discoveries and new intellectual property is collaboration between the University and commercial entities, The Polsky Center has a special role to play. It protects the rights of the inventors and the University-and then typically works with industry, granting licenses so that a company will develop the discovery and bring it to the market. Revenues from licenses secured by The Polsky Center are shared with the inventor, the inventor’s laboratory, and the inventor’s academic division. Where opportunities arise for corporate sponsored research related to the NIH-funded research programs, the University expects any agreements to conform to the principles described by NIH in the 1994 policy “Developing Sponsored Research Agreements: Consideration for Recipients of NIH Research Grants and Contracts."
Plan for Sharing of Model Organisms/Animal Models
Background Regarding Sharing of Model Organisms/Animal Models
Under the NIH Policy on Sharing of Model Organisms for Biomedical Research, published May 7, 2004 (NOT-OD-04-042), investigators who develop such model organisms (animal or biologics) must include a model organism sharing plan or explain why the research tools cannot be shared. A sample Model Organism Sharing Plan follows that can be used in applications to demonstrate the University’s commitment to the open dissemination of research tools. We also recommend you look at the FAQs and examples of plans NIH has developed to assist investigators. Note that grant applicants responding to a Request for Applications (RFA) or a Request for Proposals (RFP) may find additional requirements to those listed below, related to resource or data sharing for the specific announcement or solicitation. It is the responsibility of the investigator to address any such additional requirements in the Sharing Plan.
Resources Sharing Sample
Resource Sharing Plan
Research Tools:
The University of Chicago is committed to the open and timely dissemination of research outcomes. Investigators in the proposed activity recognize that promising new methods, technologies, strategies and computer software [revise as applicable to the nature of the research program] may arise during the course of the research. The Investigators are aware of and agreed to abide by the principles for sharing research resources as described by NIH in "Principles and Guidelines for Recipients of NIH Research Grants and Contracts on Obtaining and Disseminating Biomedical Research Resources."
While the investigators expect that research tools will be freely shared with the research community, opportunities for technology transfer through commercialization will be explored as appropriate. Working with the University community, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Polsky Center), manages intellectual property at the University of Chicago. The Polsky Center serves faculty, staff and students by commercializing inventions, ideas and software developed at the University to ensure that new knowledge benefits society.
The Polsky Center works with researchers to assess the commercial potential of new ideas. The Polsky Center’s goals are to disseminate new ideas so the public can benefit from discoveries, and to generate revenues for research and education. When the best means of disseminating discoveries and new intellectual property is collaboration between the University and commercial entities, the Polsky Center has a special role to play. It protects the rights of the inventors and the University—and then typically works with industry, granting licenses so that a company will develop the discovery and bring it to the market. Revenues from licenses secured by the Polsky Center are shared with the inventor, the inventor's laboratory, and the inventor's academic division. Where opportunities arise for corporate sponsored research related to the NIH-funded research programs, the University expects any agreements to conform to the principles described by NIH in the 1994 policy "Developing Sponsored Research Agreements: Consideration for Recipients of NIH Research Grants and Contracts."
Model Organism Sharing
Create and include if required by FOA or as determined by proposed research.
Data Sharing
See NIH 2023 Data Management and Sharing Policy (DMS Policy)
Genomic Data Sharing
See NIH 2023 Data Management and Sharing Policy (DMS Policy)
Data Management and Sharing Plan Element 6
Data Management and Sharing Plan Element 6
Element 6 in the DMSP should not include URA as the primary reporting/tracking entity as this would be the responsibility PI and any applicable lab members or other resources utilized for data management (i.e. libraries, RCC, etc.).
Example:
"PI and Co-Investigators [revise as applicable to key persons in the proposal/project] will be responsible for the day-to-day oversight of lab/team data management activities and data sharing according to the Office of Sponsored Programs at The University of Chicago, which has created a data management and sharing plan compliance system as part of their process for submitting the annual NIH progress report. [Be sure to include any other resources that may be utilized.]"