Texas Tech University

Scholarly Messenger

October 3, 2012

Annual Conflict of Interest Disclosures Past Due
Texas Tech's external research sponsors, including the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, require TTU to monitor potential financial conflicts of interest of faculty staff, and administrators. Read more >>

NIH Issues Important Notices
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued three notices of interest to researchers.

  • The first provides newly revised forms and instructions used to submit interim and final progress reports, and other post-award documents associated with the monitoring, oversight, and closeout of an award are now available. Read the notice >>
  • The second notice is the publication of the NIH Grants Policy Statement: Policy Changes and Clarifications Notice. Read the notice >>
  • The final notice announces NIH's plans to transition to electronic submission of multiproject applications. Read the notice >>

How Open is That Access?
Three groups working on open access (OA) publishing - PLOS, SPARC and OASPA - are requesting public comment about a draft guide to OA. The comment period will close on Monday, Oct. 8, at 5 p.m. (EST). Access the draft >>

RCR & Research Integrity

New Ethics Website Launched
The University of Illinois has launched a new online ethics resource for researchers and professionals. The site is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Explore the site >>

RCR Column on Hiatus
Marianne Evola's regular Scholarly Messenger column on Responsible Conduct of Research will return next month. She will continue her examination of the rules beyond fabrication and falsification of data and plagiarism, beginning with taking social responsibility for one's work.

Upcoming Events

Faculty Proposal Development Program
The Office of Research & Innovation offers a proposal development program for all faculty, but primarily aimed at junior faculty interested in learning more about writing proposals. The program meets momthly for nine months. The program requires a time commitment from the faculty member and support from the college and department. For more information, contact Michael San Francisco, interim vice president for research or Heather Morris, director of the Research Development Team.
  • First Friday of each month (Oct. 5)
    1:30-3 p.m.
    Teaching, Learning and Professional Development Center, Room 153 in the Library
Budget Basics
The Office of Research Services is conducting a Budget Basics workshop to help faculty and research staff. The session will cover types of budgets, personnel costs, fringe benefits, indirect costs, subcontract requirements, graduate student tuition and fee remission, cost sharing, budget justification and the ORS budget worksheet. Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged.
  • Oct. 12, 2012
    10 a.m. - noon
    Teaching, Learning and Professional Development Center, Room 153 in the Library
  • Nov. 9, 2012
    10 a.m. - noon
    Teaching, Learning and Professional Development Center, Room 153 in the Library
  • Dec. 14, 2012
    10 am - noon
    Teaching, Learning and Professional Development Center, Room 153 in the Library
    Register here >>
    Registration is required as seating is limited. Please indicate the time and date of the session you will attend.
Research Orientation for New Faculty
In order to facilitate a smooth transition to the research process at Texas Tech, the Office of Research Services is conducting a research orientation for all incoming faculty and research staff. Faculty who are new to campus or those who have never attended a research orientation are encouraged to attend. The session will cover proposal development and processing; review institutional policies and procedures affecting research at Texas Tech; internal and external funding opportunities; and inform attendees about compliance issues. Attendance is not mandatory but strongly encouraged, especially in light of recent changes to various compliance regulations.
  • Dec. 6, 2012
    9:30 a.m. - noon OR 1-3:30 p.m.
    Teaching, Learning and Professional Development Center, Room 153 in the Library
  • Jan. 15, 2013
    9:30 a.m. - noon
    Teaching, Learning and Professional Development Center, Room 153 in the Library
    Register here >>
    Registration is required as seating is limited. Please indicate the time and date of the session you will attend.
FACE 2012
The University Library will host the 28th annual Faculty Academic Contributions Exhibit (FACE). This year's theme is "Network of Scholars," and will honor the innovation, vision and impact of Texas Tech's faculty. All students, faculty and staff are welcome.
Read more >>
  • Oct. 17
    2:30-4:00 p.m.
    University Library Croslin Room
Water Efficiency Standards Workshop
The State Energy Conservation Office is sponsoring a workshop in Lubbock focusing on water efficiency standards for state buildings and institutes of higher education.
Read more >>
  • Oct. 5, 2012
    9 a.m. - noon
    3601 4th St., Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center classroom 2C223
NSF Grants Conference
The first National Science Foundation Grants Conference of fiscal year 2013 will be held in Arlington, Va., and hosted by George Mason University, Oct. 22-23, 2012. Key representatives from the National Science Foundation as well as your colleagues--faculty, researchers and grant administrators--representing colleges and universities from around the US will participate. This two-day conference is a must, especially for new faculty, researchers and administrators who want to gain key insight into a range of current issues at NSF including the state of current funding; new and current policies and procedures; and pertinent administrative issues. NSF program officers representing each NSF directorate will be on hand to provide up-to-date information about specific funding opportunities and answer your questions. Highlights include:
  • New programs and initiatives
  • Future directions and strategies for national science policy
  • Proposal preparation
  • NSF's merit review process
  • Cross-disciplinary and special interest programs
  • Conflict of interest policies
  • Breakout sessions by discipline
Read more >>

Funding & Award Opportunities

2013 Jefferson Science Fellowships
Tenured, or similarly ranked, academic scientists, engineers and physicians from U.S. institutions of higher learning, who are U.S. citizens, are eligible for selection as Jefferson Science Fellows (JSF). Each fellow will spend one year at the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for an on-site assignment in Washington, D.C. that may also involve extended stays at U.S. foreign embassies and/or missions. Read more >>

NRUF Faculty Awards & Scholarships
Check deadlines on the annual NRUF faculty awards and scholarships. Read more >>

Funding Opportunities: Browse various funding resources or search the Funding Opportunities Database at the Texas Tech funding resources website.