COVID-19 Research FAQs: Fringe Rate
Q: How does BU normally set its fringe benefit rates with the federal government? Fringe benefits are non-salary costs associated with compensation for employees, including health and retirement plans. On a biannual basis, BU sets its fringe benefit rates for two-year periods to allocate fringe benefit costs on federal grants. BU estimates fringe benefit rates […]
Virtual Charles River Campus IRB Office Hours
TO: Charles River Campus Faculty Engaged in Human Subjects Research FROM: Pamela Richmond, IRB Director, Charles River Campus DATE: May 28, 2020 SUBJECT: Virtual CRC IRB Office Hours The Charles River Campus Institutional Review Board (CRC IRB) has new offerings available to support your human subjects research, including new guidance and virtual office hours each […]
Mentoring & Advising During the Ramp-Up of Research and Scholarship
Mentoring and advising interactions shape daily and overall experiences for graduate students and postdocs, and they will be instrumental in advancing research and scholarship disrupted by COVID-19. As we begin planning for the ramp-up of research at BU, there are new guidelines available for how graduate students and postdocs and their faculty mentors/advisors can navigate […]
COVID-19 Research FAQs: Working with Sponsored Programs and PAFO
Are Sponsored Programs and Post Award Financial Operations staff working? Yes. Sponsored Programs (SP) and Post Award Financial Operations (PAFO) staff are all working remotely. They are receiving emails and calls to their office phones are being forwarded to their cell phones. Proposals are being submitted daily and are the priority of SP. Mail is […]
COVID-19 Research FAQs: Additional Considerations
Q: How can I order equipment or supplies to my home address while working remotely? Refer to Sourcing & Procurement guidance: https://www.bu.edu/sourcing/covid-19-updates Shoppers should continue to follow IS&T and BU Sourcing & Procurement guidelines and order from one of our contracted IT suppliers for computers and peripherals. We encourage the use of the Terrier Marketplace where […]
COVID-19 Research FAQs: Animals / Human Subjects
See also: CRC IRB Guidance: https://www.bu.edu/research/2020/03/11/irb-coronavirus/ BUMC IRB Guidance: http://www.bumc.bu.edu/irb/faqs-impact-of-covid-19-on-human-subjects-research/ Animal Science Center Guidance: https://www.bu.edu/research/2020/03/26/animal-science-center-covid/ Q: How should research labs focused on human subjects research prepare for the impact of COVID-19? Given Boston University and State of Massachusetts public health directives, Charles River Campus researchers must make alternative plans for projects that involve in-person interactions with research participants. In-person interactions […]
COVID-19 Research FAQs: Continuing Obligations
Q: Will NIH accept late progress reports and financial reports where delays are due to the effects of COVID-19? NIH issued Guide Notice NOT -OD – 20-086 on March 12: If you are unable to complete and submit a financial and RPPR by the scheduled due date, due to the effects of COVID-19, please contact your SP RA for late progress […]
COVID-19 Research FAQs: Remote Work Environments
Q: How should research labs prepare for the impact of COVID-19? According to a 3/23 memo from Provost Morrison: “Boston University research laboratories should stop normal operations and shift to basic maintenance only, ensuring safety and preserving future capabilities, other than COVID-19 research and essential biomedical research that cannot be stopped at this time. Only critical maintenance […]
COVID-19 Research FAQs: Travel
See also: FAQs on business travel (including links to BU preferred travel agencies, current travel advisories, airlines, etc.) Q: Are travel cancellation costs due to COVID-19 allowable as direct charges to sponsored projects? Through the release of NOT-OD-20-86, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has stated nonrefundable costs associated with grant-related travel that has been canceled due to COVID-19 may […]
COVID-19 Research FAQs: Salary
Q: What do I need to know about COVID disruptions to work and “idle time”? Refer to this May 11, 2020 Memo about idle time documentation and funding. Q: How do I submit Personnel Activity Reports (PARs) while working remotely? The PAR deadline is Friday, April 10th. We always accept electronic signatures but starting Thursday, […]