The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Spring 2021: Issue 12

News & Updates

Independent Contractor & External Personnel Questionnaire

The Independent Contractor & External Personnel Questionnaire replaces the FCOI form and captures independent contractor information and P.I. confirmation for payment of independent contractors on sponsored projects. Continue
 

NIH Salary Cap for FY 2021

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Salary Cap for FY 2021 is now $199,300, effective January 3, 2021Continue
 

Cost Share Funding on Sponsored Projects

UNC Controllers Office and OSR implemented a new process to fund cash balances for cost share transactions on sponsored projects. Continue
 

Kirschstein-NRSA Levels for FY 2021

Training related expenses and institutional allowances remain unchanged from the prior budget year for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees of all educational levels. Continue
 

Fringe Benefits Update for FY 2021

Please refer to the Fringe Benefit memo, updated Schedule I & II, and Information Sheet to appropriately determine personnel benefits in proposals. Continue
 

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Section 889

OSR has added a section to the Science and Security page providing additional information and guidance on NDAA Section 889. Continue
 

Personnel Tab in RAM Reports

The addition of the Personnel Tab is a key enhancement that allows users to quickly access personnel expense entries and view related transaction data. Continue
 

* New Guidance for NIH Biosketch and Other Support * 

NIH recently released Notice NOT-OD-21-073 concerning upcoming changes to the Biographical Sketch and Other Support Format pages for applications dues on and after May 25, 2021. More training from UNC and NIH is forthcoming. Continue

Research Spotlight

Research: Origins of Life

 
About 4 billion years ago, life arose from a primordial soup of chemicals. Somehow, amino acids linked together to form proteins, and from these proteins, the basic molecules of biological life took root, leading ever so slowly to the dawn of life as we know it. But how? How did the chaos of chemicals become ordered biology? Learn more here.

Training Opportunities

RAPiDs Course Release

Carolina RAPiDs Course 4 - Financial Concepts

There are several core cost principles that govern budgeting and charging expenses on sponsored projects. This course explores those principles in relation to indirect and direct costs as well as cost sharing. 

COVID-19 Impacts Webinar Series

The COVID-19 Impacts Webinar Series seeks to provide clear guidance to research administrators as they manage projects during these uncertain times.
 

Science and Security Webinar Series

The Science and Security Webinar Series seeks to provide up-to-date guidance on managing projects in a cooperative and secure manner. 
 

NCURA Award Lifecycle Webinar

The NCURA Lifecycle of the Award webinar series offers training on several broad research administration topics relevant to research institutions.
 

Carolina RAPiDs Foundations Training

OSR Carolina RAPiDs (Research Administration Professional instructional Development system) is designed to provide a comprehensive training program for research administrators at UNC.

Staff Updates

Research Administration

Jalisa Melton Subaward Specialist
Regina Brown Subaward Coordinator

Did You Know?

Q: How has the login for eRA Commons changed?
A: NIH has updated the look and feel of their login and landing page for eRA Commons. You can now use your UNC Onyen and password to login to eRA Commons using a Federated Login, and it now requires two-factor authentication if accessing Commons via a mobile device. Click here for more information.

Q: What is the Federated Login?
A: This login allows you to use your UNC login information to sign in to eRA Commons. The accounts must be linked in order for the Federated login to work.


Q: How do I use my UNC onyen and password to login to eRA Commons?
A: Under the Login with Federated Account select the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and it will take you to the UNC single sign-on (SSO) page. You continue logging on using your UNC information from there, which will link the accounts. For more information click here.


Q: Why can I not log in to eRA Commons using my UNC login?
A: If your password has expired, you will need to reset it before it will allow you to log in. After you have done this the first time, you will be able to login in without issue.


For more frequently asked questions, see our FAQs page. To submit your questions to OSR, click the 'Ask OSR' button below. 

In Other News

2021 Mileage Allowance

The North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) has released the state mileage allowances for 2021. Continue


Procurement on Personal Funds Reminder

Due to an increase in employee reimbursements and unauthorized purchases, we would like to remind campus to review 1227 – Policy on Unauthorized Purchases and 1251 – Small Order Policy regarding purchases through personal funds. Continue
 

New eRA Commons Screens Are Here

The new eRA Commons home screen (log-in screen) and landing screen have been released. Continue


eRA Will Require Login.gov to Access Sites 

Users will be required to use two-factor authentication (2FA) through login.gov to access eRA Commons, ASSIST, Internet Assisted Review (IAR), and Commons Mobile by September 15, 2021Continue  


New Format for Key Dates in Funding Opportunities

NIH is now posting research opportunities with a new, friendlier table format for the Key Dates section. This allows readers to easily identify the available due dates in each review and award cycle. Continue


NIH FY 2021 Policies for Grant Awards

NIH issued guidance for NIH Fiscal Operations for FY 2021 including the following policies on FY 2021 funding levels, NRSA stipends, Next Generation Researchers Initiative, and salary limits. Continue

Retroactive Payroll Distribution Program

Finance is excited to announce a new retroactive payroll distribution program launching for payrolls beginning with the B16 payroll (payday February 12, 2021). Continue  

News & Updates Across UNC

     

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