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Current and archived issues are now searchable by keyword from the Research ACCESS index page.

Thanks to all who took the ACCESS survey. We will be reporting on results soon!

Did you know that a worldwide leader for cranberry research and educational outreach is a program in UMass Amherst's College of Natural Resources and the Environment?
The UMass Cranberry Station, created by the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association and originally funded by the state in 1910, has always been a center for cutting edge research on the effects insects, weather and irrigation have on cranberries. Today, the faculty of this multidisciplinary research facility has recently renovated and replanted an 11.5 acre research cranberry bog and continues the Station's mission to help maintain and enhance the economic viability of the Massachusetts cranberry industry. [Read More]

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This article is the second in a three-part Research ACCESS series on indirect cost rates, their functions, distribution and policies. This installment covers how indirect cost rates are calculated and how indirect is distributed across campus. To review Part I that introduced indirect costs, go to Understanding Indirect Costs.

How is the indirect cost rate calculated?
Unlike direct costs, indirect costs are not itemized but rather budgeted at a pre-negotiated rate with the granting organization. For example, every university establishes a rate with the federal government that expresses the indirect costs as a percentage of the direct costs. (The federal government calls indirect costs facilities and administration, or F&A.) Indirect cost rates vary according to the type of sponsor funding the project. Click [here] for the full article that answers the following questions:

How is the indirect cost rate calculated?
How does the indirect cost rate at UMass Amherst compare to rates at other universities?
How are indirect costs distributed throughout the university?
How are indirect cost returns used by the campus?

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To read more about the conference please go here. To learn more about Dr. Sue Leschine or her clean energy start-up company, please go to http://www.sunethanol.com/site/ .

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Have you checked out ScholarWorks @UMass Amherst yet? This digital repository which is administered by the UMass Amherst Libraries and supported by the Research Area and other campus units is designed to bring together the campus's scholarship and research under one umbrella. The goal of ScholarWorks is to showcase the breadth of work that is done on this campus and expand access to this knowledge to other researchers and the general public. ScholarWorks also preserves the work of our faculty and students so that it can be accessed by future scholars.

Not sure how you would use ScholarWorks? Check out the Classics Department's ScholarWorks presence which was recently launched for a new interdisciplinary research effort - the Center for Etruscan Studies. Through it, you can browse the Center's electronic resource collection, connect to faculty researchers and sign up to receive personalized email notifications to help you keep track of newly posted content tailored to your interests. ScholarWorks content can include working papers, conference proceedings, journal articles, dissertations and theses, class offerings and even searchable databases.

The campus is eager to build this important resource and is looking for more content. The ScholarWorks website has information about creating a ScholarWorks account or email the ScholarWorks support team for assistance.

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Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center Grants
Deadline: November 19
Ten grants of $40,000 will be available for researchers through the Mass Tech Transfer Center's (MTTC) Investigation Awards. The awards are intended to support commercial viability of a technology by encouraging the development of prototypes or gathering of initial data. The statement of intent was due in September. Visit the MTTC website for more information. Contact Michele Bernier at the MTTC office with questions.

Massachusetts Water Resources Research Center
Deadline: November 23
Four one-year grants of $5,000 will be available, contingent upon Congressional approval of fiscal year 2008 funding for the National Water Institute Program, for graduate students to develop new and innovative research; continue existing projects that respond to water resources research needs of the state or regional importance; or information transfer activities for water resources protection. For more information visit Water Resources Research Center or contact Marie-Francoise Walk at the WRRC office with questions.

MRI-MRS Pilot Research Grants
Deadline: December 1 The Office of Research has budgeted $60,000- $80,000 in each of the next three years to be used as seed money to fund 3-4 UMass faculty-led, pilot research projects per year focused on magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Successful pilot projects (maximum $15,000) will describe a project designed to generate preliminary data for an existing federal or national-level funding initiative.
For more information, an application and instructions please go to the Pilot Grant website.

Massachusetts Cultural Council: 2008 Artist Fellowship
Deadline: December 7
The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), a state agency that promotes excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences; provides direct assistance to Massachusetts artists across a range of disciplines, to recognize exceptional work and to support further development. For more detailed application guidelines for these highly competitive awards, which can reach $7,500, please visit the MCC website.

2008 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Pipeline Fund
Deadline: January 8
The STEM Pipeline Fund will award three-year grants to schools or educators with STEM programs. The grants, which will be awarded February 8, 2008, are worth up to $500,000 each. For more information on these grants please contact Professor Allan Feldman, School of Education.

Academic Technology Grants
Deadline: February 1
The Information Technology Council's Subcommittee on Academic Technology will support faculty and staff who wish to explore the use of electronic technologies to improve students' learning and enhance their academic experience. There are three different grants available with awards ranging from $2,000 to $25,000. Access the rfp for more details.

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E-Protocol About to Begin
The Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) is in the process of testing and releasing a new electronic application system (e- Protocol) for IRB application submissions. In a few months, HRPO will be looking for volunteers to submit their protocols online using the e- Protocol. If anyone would be interested in volunteering, please contact Nanc y Swett at 545-3428.

Association for Women in Science (AWIS) Fellows Program
Deadline: December 15
The AWIS Fellows Program aims to recognize and honor women and men who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to the achievement of equity for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). AWIS Fellows are nominated by an AWIS member, recommended by the Selection Committee, and elected by the AWIS Executive Board. Members of the Selection Committee are appointed by the President of AWIS and serve in an advisory capacity. Deadline for nominations is December 15. To see a full description of the nomination process and to submit your nomination, visit the AWIS website. Don't know an AWIS member? Call Barbara Pearson at 545-5023 in RL&D to get connected to one.

NCIIA Innovation Showcase (I-Show)
I-Show is an initiative of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) created in collaboration with NCIAA (National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance) and Idea to Product (I2P) competitions. For the competition, student teams from across the nation present innovative products to an audience of entrepreneurs, seed venture capitalists, and intellectual property specialists. The entries are judged based on feasibility and potential for commercialization and not only receive funding and exposure, but also get to participate in mulit-day workshops for serious entrepreneurs. The next I-Show competition is open to entrants through November 30th. For more information visit the ASME website.

Wadsworth Images Place in BioScapes Competition
Congratulations to Biology Professor Patricia Wadsworth. Her Metaphase cell entry into the 2007 Olympus America BioScapes Digital Imaging Competition entitled "Bon Bon" placed 6th. She received an honorable mention for LateAnaphase Cell as well. The annual competition honors extraordinary microscope images of life science subjects. Top ten entries receive Olympus equipment. Images for the 2008 competition can be submitted through the BioScapes website.

Parent and Plano Recognized for Technology Leadership
Congratulations to Linda Plano and Keith Parent who were recognized by the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MTLC) with 2007 Technology Leadership Awards at the Council's annual Awards Gala on October 18. These awards recognize the best and brightest technology innovators and leaders. The recognition highlights recent and significant contributions to companies or the broader industry. Linda Plano, Massachusetts Technology Transfer center, was recognized as one of the "Movers and Shakers of the Year" because of her efforts and enthusiasm related to clean energy endeavors. Keith Parent, Court Square Data Group, was recognized as one of the "CEOs of the Year" because of his leadership of regional economic development. Keith is also chairman of the Regional Technology Corp. Board. To learn more about the winners please visit the MTLC website.

New Web Portal for Writing Programs in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts
New Web Portal for Writing programs in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts The College of Humanities and Fine Arts has launched a new web portal, Writing@ CHFA, that provides an access point for students, the community, and other organizations to the many writing programs, journals, reading series, and centers affiliated with the College. Developed with assistance from the Office for Research Liaison and Development, the site also serves to show the interconnections among the many writing programs, from the undergraduate Writing Program to our nationally recognized MFA program.

UMass Writing Programs Offer Several Exciting Workshops
The Juniper Summer Writing Institute invites writers of all levels to participate in intensive summer workshops. Simultaneous with this year's Writing Institute for adults, the Western Massachusetts Writing Project and Juniper Initiative will offer writing workshops for middle school and high school aged students. Also, this coming summer, the Center for the Study of African American Language will offer a workshop for teachers on African American language. To learn more about these programs visit the new writing portal at Writing@CHFA.

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1. Main Research home page
2. Internal grants including the RLA and Healy/FRG
3. Identifying funding opportunities (alert services)
4. Policies governing sponsored activities
5. Proposal fact sheet
6. Initiating proposal submissions
7. Research safety responsibilities
8. Award receipt procedures
9. Reports on sponsored activity
10. Electronic research administration/Grants.gov

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December 3: The 3rd Annual Nanotech and Microtech Investors Forum: Showcasing Companies Seeking Commercialization Funding takes place at the Marriot Newton. Staff and students from the campus's MassNanoTech Institute will be participating in the Forum. For more information visit the Mass Tech Transfer website.

December 13th: Research Area Brown Bag Series: Effort Reporting. Noon - 1:00, 104 Research Administration Building conference room. Beverages are provided. Contact Kimberley Broderick (413) 545-5898 for more information.

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The Research Area looks forward to working with the over 60 new faculty this year from schools and departments across campus. This month Research ACCESS welcomes part of the new faculty from the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Click here for a listing of these faculty and their research interests.

Amilcar Shabazz,African-American Studies.
Melissa Mueller, Greek literature.
Seth Cable, Linguistics.
David Schneider, Chinese Language.
Jonathan Skolnik, German Language.
Patricia Gubitosi, Spanish Language.
Christopher Meacham, Philosophy.

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OGCA processed 127 proposals for a total of $17,753,658 in October 2007. How does that stack up against last year and previous months? Have a look at the histograms to find out.

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Arcaro, Kathleen F.
Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Sponsor: Baystate Medical Center
Title: Gene and Protein Expression of Paralemmin in Breast Cancer
Total Award: $37,390

Barton-Burke, Margaret
School of Nursing
Sponsor: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Title: Long Term Quality of Life in Black Women Breast Cancer Survivors
Total Award: $143,944

Bezanilla, Magdalena
Biology
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Title: The Role of Actin Monomer Binding Proteins in Plant Cell Tip Growth
Total Award: $139,530

Clarkson, Priscilla M.
Kinesiology
Sponsor: Hartford Hospital
Title: The Effect of Statins on Skeletal Muscle Function
Total Award: $159,449

Flohr, Judy Kay
Hospitality & Tourism Mgmt
Sponsor: MA Dept of Education
Title: Massachusetts Equipment and Safety Training (FEAST 3)
Total Award: $88,094

Gao, Robert
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Title: 2009 NSF Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation Grantees and Research Conference: Research and Education in a Flat World
Total Award: $99,794

Hambleton, Ronald K.
Educational Policy Research & Admin
Sponsor: College Board
Title: Test Design and Item Selection and the College Board's Advanced Placement Tests
Total Award: $122,953

Hart, David M.
Computer Science
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Title: Collaborative Research: Electronic Delivery and Criterion Referencing of Assessment Materials for Chemistry
Total Award: $299,984

Herrington, Anne
English
Sponsor: University of California Berkeley
Title: Project Outreach Grant (Year Two)
Total Award: $16,500

Huber, George W.
Chemical Engineering
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Title: MRI: Acquisition of Instrumentation for a Biofuels Research Laboratory
Total Award: $513,600

Moll, Robert N.
Computer Science
Sponsor: US Dept of Education
Title: Building a Java Instructor Community: An Online Plan for Improving Introductory Computer Science Teaching and Learning (FIPSE)
Total Award: $198,651

Baystate/UM PVLSI
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
Title: Physiologic Roles of Activin and Myostatin Antagonists
Total Award: $241,063

Nyachuba, David G.
Nutrition
Sponsor: University of Rhode Island
Title: Food Safety Education to Assist Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCI) in the Development and Implementation of an HACCP-based
Total Award: $85,104

Parkash, Om
Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences
Sponsor: Higher Ed Commission, Gov't of Pakistan
Title: Physiological and Molecular Mechanism of Chromium Tolerance and Hyperaccumulation in Plants
Total Award: $24,000

Stanton, Catherine L.
History
Sponsor: National Park Service
Title: Ethnographic Study of Polish Americans and their Associations with the St Joseph Hall, Salem Maritime National Historic Site
Total Award: $70,000

Stephen, Nola V.
Teacher Ed & Curriculum Studies Sponsor: MA Dept of Education
Title: Education of Advanced, Creative, and Talented Students - Amend ISA
Total Award: $10,869

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