Research Data Policy & Initiative updates, find research collaborators with myRESEARCHsuite, and more

Updates & Announcements

Updates on the Research Data Policy and Initiative

Thanks to those who were able to join the Thursday, November 18th Research Data Initiative (RDI) Town Hall. The meeting featured a panel discussion on the challenges and successes of managing research data as well as experts highlighting the institutional resources available in support of facilitating high-quality, high-impact research. The recording can be accessed here.

The meeting comes on the heels of October’s Request for Input on the draft research data policy, in which hundreds of Duke research faculty and staff participated, offering a critical perspective on the impact of the policy on research conducted at Duke. The RDI team is currently reviewing this feedback and updating the draft policy. In early 2022, the feedback will be summarized, with redacted comments posted online.

Now through next summer, the RDI team, in collaboration with research faculty and staff across campus, will consider resourcing and implementation needs before finalizing the policy and associated FAQs and guidance documents. The policy will go into effect in January 2023.

To connect to the work of the initiative or ask any questions you may have, reach out to the team at researchdata@duke.edu.

 

NIH Extramural NEXUS

The NIH Extramural NEXUS listserv is a great way to stay up to date on NIH policies, processes, and resources. Researchers with current NIH awards or those intending to apply for NIH funding are encouraged to subscribe. Recent resources distributed on the Extramural NEXUS listserv include:

• A podcast addressing considerations for deciding whether to resubmit an application
• Clarification on the definition of a Clinical Trial for NIH grant applications
• An updated “Need Help?” page with guidance on communications and interactions with NIH Institute/Center staff, and a central contact directory.

Note: Investigators can contact program officials regarding scientific and programmatic aspects of their funding proposals and sponsored projects. Questions or concerns about administrative issues must be addressed by authorized Duke representatives. Institutional guidance about communications with sponsor officials is located on myRESEARCHpath.

 

Resources & Tools

Find research collaborators with myRESEARCHsuite

Locate experts across Duke using the 'Find a Collaborator' widget in myRESEARCHhome. Enter a keyword to search the overview, awards, and publications of Scholars@Duke profiles. Refine your results with filters and quickly view a researcher's Scholars@Duke profile with embedded links.

Find additional resources and guidance on this page in myRESEARCHpath by searching 'collaborators' in the 'Research Path' widget.

 

Foundation Relations: Your partners in seeking and managing funding from foundations

Foundation Relations supports faculty and staff seeking foundation funding.  They help researchers build and maintain fruitful partnerships with foundations, garnering funding support for a range of research, education, and varied programs and initiatives across Duke. Foundations are mission-driven organizations that fund programs to further their objectives and they operate quite differently than governmental founders. Their team can guide your engagement of foundations at the local, regional, and national levels. And, in some cases, Foundation Relations is required to coordinate and submit applications from Duke to particular foundations -- notably, The Duke Endowment.

To increase your chance of funding success, contact the Office of Foundation Relations before approaching a foundation. Their expertise and services include:

• Explaining the basics of foundation fundraising
• Connecting faculty members to resources for identifying foundation funders
• Meeting with researchers to discuss prospective funders and strategies to develop well-aligned, competitive applications
• Reviewing and editing proposals and letters of inquiry, guiding articulation of project ideas to position proposals for success
• Providing advice regarding steps and timing to secure required institutional review and approval prior to proposal submission.
• Facilitating networking among prior grantees of specific foundations.
• Hosting campus visits by foundation leaders and staff, including coordinating meetings with Duke leaders.
• Developing effective stewardship strategies and supporting timely reporting.

Please note, the Office of Foundation Relations's work centers on support for faculty members and administrators, so they do not typically assist postdocs or graduate students in pursuit of funding. But if you have a question, please ask them. If they can’t help, they're happy to direct you to someone who can.