Policy 4008: Private Sector and Foundation Funding to George Mason University and the George Mason University Foundation, Inc. has been approved. The policy, procedures and overview document can be found on the university policy website at http://www.gmu.edu/facstaff/policy/newpolicy/4008res.html.

If you have any questions please contact Mike Laskofski at mlaskofs@gmu.edu or 993-4573.

Beginning April 7, 2008, NIH will require scientists to submit electronic copies of peer-reviewed journal articles that result from NIH funded projects to the National Library of Medicine's digital archive, PubMed Central. Investigators are required to make these manuscripts publically available no later than 12 months after the official date of publication. The purpose of this policy is to make these articles accessible to the public on PubMed Central in order to help advance science and improve health.

As of April 7, 2008, all articles arising from NIH funded projects must be submitted to PubMed Central. This requires investigators to inform any journal to which they are submitting that the article is subject to NIH's Public Access Policy and will also be submitted to NIH's archive for publication. Investigators must make sure that any copyright transfer or other publication agreement allows the article to be submitted to NIH in accordance with the policy.

As of May 25, 2008, NIH applications, proposals, and progress reports must include the PubMed Central reference number when citing an article that falls under the policy and is authored or co-authored by the investigator, or arose from the investigator's NIH award.

More information, including frequently asked questions, regarding the NIH Public Access requirement can be found at http://publicaccess.nih.gov/.

The F&A rate agreement for FY08 - FY10 has been finalized with the Office of Naval Research, our cognizant agency. Since July 1, 2007 we have been using the following rates for "other sponsored activities" and "sponsored instruction," but rates for sponsored research increased under the new agreement. Existing sponsored research agreements will not change, but the new rates will be used in proposals, effective immediately.

Rates are as follows:
On-campus research 45.5%
Off-campus research adjacent 27.4%
Off-campus research remote 26%

On-campus instruction 52.3%
Off-campus instruction adjacent 39.6%
Off-campus instruction remote 26%

On-campus other sponsored activities 34.3%
Off-campus other sponsored activities adjacent 26%
Off-campus other sponsored activities remote 25.4%

Rates for DOD research contracts are 3.0% higher than the regular research rates because there is no cap on the administrative portion of the rate.

Definitions of terms are as follows:

Sponsored Research includes all research and development activities that are sponsored by Federal and non Federal agencies and organizations. This term involves systematic study directed toward fuller knowledge or understanding of the subject and includes activities involving the training of individuals in research techniques (research training) where such activities utilize the same facilities as other research and development activities and where such activities are not included in the instruction function. Sponsored Research generally includes hypothesis testing and has a defined scope of work, a work plan, time frame and reporting requirements to the sponsor.

Sponsored Instruction is defined as teaching and training activities funded by grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements from Federal or non Federal sponsors. Sponsored Instruction includes agreements that support teaching/training activities, whether offered through regular academic departments or separate divisions. Other Sponsored Activities include programs and projects financed by Federal and non Federal agencies and organizations which involve performance of work other than instruction and organized research.

Other Sponsored Activities are established primarily to provide non instructional services beneficial to individuals and groups external to the institution. Some examples include: Travel, Conferences, Social Service, Community Service, Health Service and Program Operation.

If you have any questions, please contact Mike Laskofski at mlaskofs@gmu.edu or Beth Brock at ebrock1@gmu.edu.