Conducting Research at UTRGV

URGENT: Information for Researchers during COVID19

6/22/20: Return to Campus Task Force Guidelines

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In May 2020 the President appointed a Return to Campus Task Force to provide recommendations and procedures for bringing university operations back to campus in a safe and practical manner. The Task Force consisted of 26 individuals representing all stakeholder groups and divisions across UTRGV, and included faculty, staff, a student, and administration. In addition, the Task Force appointed and engaged seven workgroups, to examine Athletics, Campus Auxiliary Services and Student Life, Campus Events, Lecture and Classroom Activities, Instructional Laboratories, Research Laboratories, and Off Campus and Clinical Activities. These groups involved an additional 80 individuals in the development of specific, actionable recommendations across the spectrum of campus operations.

This Executive Summary will detail at a high level the major recommendations of the Task Force and its workgroups. Additional actionable detail and specific information is outlined in the full report document, entitled Return to Campus – Consolidated Report of the Task Force. Further program- specific detail and guidance is offered in each of the individual workgroup reports, which are also available for review and utilization.

The Task Force and all workgroups recognize that the situation with COVID-19 is highly fluid, and it is possible that modifications may need to be made during the academic year in order to continue functioning in alternate formats. All groups therefore support the development of contingency plans in the case of all instructional activities and operations needing to return to fully online. Read the guidelines here.

6/1/20:UPDATE: Interim Policy for the Continuation of Human Subjects Research with In-Person Component through the COVID-19 Outbreak
6/1/20:UPDATE: FAQ’s – Resuming Human Subject Research with an In-Person Component
4/30/20: UPDATE: NSF-approved formats for the biographical sketch and current and pending suppor documents. Read more on the Research Administration page.
4/10/20: Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations. For any questions or concerns, regarding your proposal deadline or your active federal grant, please contact the Office of Sponsored Programs at sponpro@utrgv.edu.
3/20/20: Announcement from Research Administration including NIH guidelines

The Research Administration Offices are working remotely, therefore, we ask that everyone who calls and is unable to reach us to please leave a voicemail message and send emails to the staff so that they may promptly get back to you. We thank you for your understanding.

*Page updated 6/22/20.

UTRGV researchers contribute to the intellectual merit of their fields while adhering to responsible conduct of research (RCR) guidelines, with the goal of fostering integrity and deterring misconduct in research.

The Department of Research, Innovation and Technology Commercialization
supports all aspects of research, from the administration of external awards to assistance with local, state, and federal compliance, until the process is complete, with research transformed into inventions, creative works, and consumer products.

Get to know our Research Support offices.
Don't forget about certification, disclosure, and reporting requirements.
- The federal government requires Time and Effort Certification or Effort Reporting for all sponsored projects.
- UTRGV requires employees to Disclosures Outside Interests on a yearly basis.
- Preserve your Intellectual Property rights by Disclosing New Technology or Inventions before presenting at conferences or submitting to journals.
- Check with the Office of Technology Commercialization before signing documents like license agreements! Email otc@utrgv.edu.