Dear Howard University Faculty,

The Office of Research would like to provide a follow up from President Frederick’s March 11^th correspondence to the Howard University Community regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and research operations on campus.

Currently, all faculty researchers should diligently prepare to work remotely and cease engagement in research on the Howard campus, where ever possible. Requests for exceptional circumstances, with justification, should be submitted to Dr. Bruce Jones, through your Dean.

Also, the Office of Research is extending the following services and affiliate support to all faculty researchers:

HU Research Month

• Given the historically large attendance (well over 3,000 participants) by faculty, students, research staff and external constituents from across the DMV, all Office of Research sponsored HU Research Month events are canceled. HU Research Month will be reinstated in April 2021.

Research Development: Grant Proposals and Grant Training Workshops (Pre- Awards)

• The Office of Research, Research Development (RD), will continue to provide assistance to faculty in the development, writing and submission of grant and contract proposals to funding agencies. This assistance will be provided remotely through phone, Zoom and/or Microsoft Team technology.
• All Grant Training Workshops, which usually take place in the IRB Multipurpose Room, will be suspended. Workshops that are web-based may occur.
• Plans to engage HU Faculty Delegations in visitations to federal sponsors (i.e., National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Justice, D.C. Health and D.C. Department on Aging) are suspended until further notice.

Research Administrative Services (Pre- and Post-Awards)

• The Office of Research's Research Administrative Services (RAS) will continue to operate even if personnel are required to work remotely.
• Expect slowdowns in the processing and submission of proposals and contracts.
• The number of days needed by RAS to process grants and contracts is increased from 5 days to 7 days in advance of the sponsor due date. Exceptions may be made only under extenuating circumstances.
• Ensure that you process requests for advances to support looming grant-funded initiatives as soon as you become aware that you have been funded. While you do not necessarily need the actual award letter to qualify for an advance, you will need some level of documentation from the sponsor that you have been funded.
• Begin the hiring/appointment e-PAR process on new and/or continuing grant and contract awards early on by working with the Associate Dean for Research/Academic Affairs in your College/School. And, ensure that your e-PAR’s are coded correctly so that the grant/ contract is appropriately charged.  

Regulatory Research Compliance

• The Office of Regulatory Research Compliance is coordinating efforts to ensure minimal disruption to research and compliance operations.
• Now more than ever, faculty researchers need to embark on the IRB approval process as early as is possible -- at the time of the proposal submission -- do not wait until you hear the good news that you have been funded.

Contracts, MOUs and EPAs

• The Office of Research will continue to work with the Office of the General Counsel to prioritize the processing of contracts, MOUs and EPAs. Please submit these documents to the Office of Research, Research Administrative Services (RAS) as far in advance (at least 15 days) of institutional deadlines.

Additional Information and Tips for Faculty Principal Investigators

• Our experience is that federal agencies are flexible about deadlines under difficult circumstances beyond our control - NIH and NSF have issued guidance on this matter.
• Should agencies close, proposals will most likely remain in a queue pending resumption of agency operations.
• Agencies recommend that faculty researchers/Principal Investigators:
  • Ensure remote access to your research files, data, servers, etc. where appropriate.
  • Prioritize experiments.
  • Plan for remote proposal submission.
  • Always check travel restrictions with your institution and sponsor agency before making travel plans.
• Ensure that you have a communication plan consistent with College/School protocol as this concerns your lab and the inventory and care of items in said lab.
• Identify emergency personnel as per your College/School protocol and ensure they know what to do in the event of suspended operations.
• Prepare to conduct meetings via Zoom and/or Microsoft Team, teleconferencing.

If you have any questions regarding HU research operations, please feel free to use the contact information below or communicate through e-mail.

Office of Research Contacts

• Dr. Bruce Jones, VP for Research -- (202) 699-1433
• Ms. Dana Hector, Executive Director, Research Administrative Services -- (202) 437-2916
• Ms. Pamela Clarke, Director, Research Development -- (202) 660-2532

Additional Contacts

• Dr. Thomas Obisesan, Associate Vice President, Regulatory Research Compliance -- (202) 865-8597
• Mr. John Gloster, Office of the General Counsel -- (202) 806-2650

Excellence in Truth and Service,

Bruce A. Jones, Ph.D.
Professor and Vice President for Research