Centrally managed proposal development support reduces the administrative impact on the research teams and creates an incentive for projects to align with institutional research priorities. SBU is investing in ten new positions over three years to provide comprehensive proposal development and award management services and encourage the momentum of competitive proposals.

Progress

Two FT positions - a Specialist and a Coordinator - have been added in the Office of Proposal Development for increased proposal development. Both professionals began work in September.

Next Steps

• Hiring for FY22
  • Recruitment and hiring are underway for four additional positions
  • One FT position in the Office of Grant Management as an expeditor for urgent/complex matters that span several post-award offices, such as travel, accounts payable, human resources
  • Two FT positions (one in Sponsored Programs, one in Grants Management) for specialized subcontracts team to expedite outgoing subcontracts including billing reporting and close out
  • One FT in the Office of Sponsored Programs as a Clinical Trials Contracts Specialist for increased clinical trials contracts
• Hiring for FY23
  • One FT position in Office of Grant Management for HR interface matters including payroll forms, salary offset, cost share, effort reporting
  • One FT in the Office of Sponsored Programs as a Grants and Contracts Specialist for increased proposal submissions
  • Two FT in the Office of Proposal Development for increased proposal development.

SBU is revising its recruiting and hiring process for postdocs. The improved model will allow for increased flexibility and efficiency, while ensuring continuity across departments and between East and West campuses.

Progress

• Improved postdoc hiring track is in the final stages of development and is expected to be approved in Fall ‘21
• A Research Facilitator position has been created and recruitment is expected to begin in October

Next Steps

• Develop procedures to facilitate the transition of recently graduated Ph.D. students into postdocs beyond one year
• Develop procedures to extend undergraduate student status beyond their graduation (to cover the summer)
• Review best practices with HR to weigh options for a centralized and decentralized recruitment model
• Define roles of VP Coordinators and HR Business Partners

Stony Brook is reviewing the use, allocation, planning and updating of space and facilities to best support the research enterprise on campus. We’ll examine how effectively space and facilities are utilized, consider which spaces require renovation and identify strategic areas for future core facilities.

Progress

• Vice Provost Alfredo Fontanini is leading the research infrastructure assessment
• A Request for Proposal for external advisors to support in this assessment is currently underway

Next Steps

• Formation of a campus-wide, cross-functional Facilities and Space Management (FSM) Committee to assess research facility needs and laboratory modernization plans
  • Oversee the implementation of the online space inventory of campus
  • Develop and oversee the implementation of the FSAMs
• Establish Facilities and Space Assessment Metrics (FSAMs) to allow efficient, informed, and strategic decision-making related to space and facilities needs of the future
• Streamline research space renovation planning; proactive renovations for faculty hiring, advancement, and retention

This group identified issues and potential solutions for enhancing clinical research productivity and developed a set of recommendation that can help to support our aspirations of growing our clinical research portfolio.

The committee recommended addressing and developing the following areas:
o    Institutional Review Board (IRB) concerns
o    Biostatistical assistance to clinical investigators
o    Pipeline from trainee to early career faculty engaged in clinical research
o    Infrastructure: Availability of research space for inpatient and outpatient clinical research procedures

Progress

The following actions have been taken to address the IRB concerns:
o    The protocol template in myResearch has been simplified and updated.
o    IRB leadership has set up regular meetings with DoIT to address concerns regarding myResearch.
o    DoIT and the Office of Research Compliance are moving forward with an upgrade of the IRB software system for myResearch.
o    The Office of Research Compliance is now offering workshops with rotating topics that include main areas of interest to the research community (i.e., how to submit        amendments/continuing reviews; how to develop a consent form).
o    Satisfaction surveys with study team members have been introduced.
o    A new “reliable methods” training has been introduced for IRB members.
o    An “Ask the Experts” form has been developed for real time answers to regulatory and compliance questions.

Next Steps

• Continued evaluation and implementation of working group recommendations.