Research Communication from VPDoR for Chairs and Directors - September 4, 2024

Dear Chairs and Directors,

I hope your summer was productive and relaxing. I write to share updates on four topics:

  • Changes to Research Policy Handbook (RPH) 15.2 Indirect (F&A) Cost Waivers
  • Launch of University-wide Industrial Affiliates Review Project
  • Latest NSF Solicitation for Science and Technology Centers
  • New Leadership in the Office of the VPDoR

Changes to Research Policy Handbook 15.2, Indirect (F&A) Cost Waivers

Chapter 15.2 of the Research Policy Handbook (RPH) has been revised to extend Stanford’s indirect waiver process to funding opportunities from international sponsors. While fully supporting the rising costs of research at Stanford remains a priority, these policy changes may open up funding opportunities that were previously inaccessible to faculty.

Specifically:

  • 15.2.3 Waivers: Foreign governments and foreign government-funded organizations have been removed from the category of organizations that are ineligible for waivers from Stanford’s full indirect cost rate. However, waivers remain unavailable to projects sponsored by for-profit organizations, whether US or international.
  • 15.2.5 Case-by-Case Exceptions: Requests for indirect cost waivers relating to foreign sponsors will now be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, applying the guidelines set forth in the policy.  

Additionally, the School of Medicine can now independently manage and approve its indirect cost waiver requests through SeRA, eliminating the need for central review and approval from VPDoR.

The updated RPH 15.2 can be viewed here. If you have questions regarding these changes, please contact Alex Ochoa in the Office of VPDoR at amiqueo@stanford.edu.

Industrial Affiliates Review Project

Recently, a group charged by Arun Majumdar, Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (SDSS), and me released a report reviewing the Industrial Affiliate Programs (IAPs) located in SDSS. The report offered recommendations to improve governance practices and make IAPs even more effective. At the request of the Provost, Dean Jennifer Widom and I have charged a second group with reviewing the rest of Stanford’s IAPs, which are spread across H&S, Law, SOE, SOM, and VPDoR.

This university-wide review aims to assess whether IAPs are functioning in accordance with Stanford’s policies and identify opportunities for streamlining the governance and administration of IAPs. I am grateful to Bruce Clemens, Walter B. Reinhold Professor (emeritus) in the School of Engineering, and Maureen McNichols, Marriner S. Eccles Professor in the Graduate School of Business, for agreeing to lead this review. Bruce and Maureen will complete their work later in the year, and I look forward to sharing their findings with you.

NSF Releases Updated Science and Technology Centers Solicitation

The NSF Science and Technology Centers (STC) program has released its latest solicitation (NSF 24-594). STC is a flagship NSF program that supports large-scale, long-term research endeavors aimed at addressing complex scientific and societal challenges. This Limited Submission opportunity allows Stanford to submit only three preliminary proposals. Internal applications are due September 17th, and preliminary proposals from selected teams are due to NSF on November 20th.

The Stanford Research Development Office (RDO) offers consultations to teams considering an STC proposal and will prioritize hands-on support for STC proposals that are selected to go forward. Additional resources for STC proposals are on RDO’s STC page. Contact stanford_rdo@stanford.edu to learn more.

Welcome to the VPDoR Leadership Team!

We are excited to welcome Curtis Langlotz, Linda Coleman, and Ann Johnson as the newest members of the VPDoR Leadership Team.

Curtis Langlotz has taken up a position of Senior Associate Vice Provost of Research. His portfolio will include shared research platforms, including computing and data. (Professor Jennifer Dionne and I used to cover shared research platforms for VPDOR until last year when Jen returned to full-time teaching and research, and I became VPDOR.) Curt, whose faculty appointment is in SoM (Radiology), brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in computing, AI, and data-intensive research.

We have also officially welcomed Linda Coleman, AVP for Research Policy and Integrity, and Ann Johnson, AVP for Research Compliance to the Farm. Linda joins us from Yale and will oversee the university’s central support services in COI/COC, research security and export control, and data governance. Ann, who joins us from the University of Utah, will lead the office that oversees IRBs, animal panels, and stem cell research. Feel free to reach out to them to share ideas and suggestions. You can read more about Linda and Ann here.

 

Please share relevant parts of this letter with your faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students—anyone who may find the information and links helpful.

Stay safe and be well,

David

David Studdert

Vice Provost and Dean of Research