School of Medicine Research Allocation Committee (RAC)

Guidelines

Objectives

  • The intent of RAC funding is to produce preliminary data that leads to grant submissions and extramural funding
  • It is expected that preliminary data will be obtained and application for extramural funding will be submitted within 12 months of award
  • A final progress report summarizing research progress to date, expenditures, publications and grant applications (pending or funded) must be submitted within 90 days of the expiration of the award.
  •  Proposals from individuals who have received previous funding and who have not submitted the required reports will not be considered.
  •  If RAC funding was received from Tobacco Settlement Funds, additional reporting of activities to the state will be required annually.

Funding Period

  • To ensure completion within the applicable 12 month funding period all required approvals must be in place promptly at the beginning of the funding period.
  • RAC funds will be awarded for a maximum of twelve months.
  • Unspent funds after award period revert back to the Office of Research for allocation to other RAC recipients

Use of Funds

  • Investigators must follow University guidelines on the use of funds
  • RAC award money must be dedicated to scientific endeavors related to the research project
  • The award number should be noted on purchase documents
  • This award cannot be transferred to another institution or Principal Investigator

  • Allowable expenses include:
  • Funding for technicians
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Funding for Postdoctoral Fellows and Visiting Scientists with an equal cost match from other sources may be requested in project category E
  • Disallowed/RAC funds may NOT be used for:
  • Faculty salaries
  • Administrative or office costs (i.e. office supplies, etc.)
  • Student tuition or stipends (including grad students)
  • Telephone
  • Business meals or hospitality (no food, beverages or alcohol)
  • Travel (unless directly related to the supported research)
  • Other items typically supported by indirect costs

Extensions

  • Extensions will NOT be granted without the presence of extenuating circumstances. Incompletion of the grant proposal or not spending the entire award does NOT constitute extenuating circumstances
  • Any requests for extensions must be made in writing and submitted to the Senior Associate Dean for Research no later than 90 days prior to the end of the grant. Requests for extension should include a brief progress report including:
  • Justification for the extension including description of extenuating circumstances
  • Amount of RAC grant money remaining in the account
  • A brief description of progress
  • Any papers or awards resulting from the RAC funding
  • Grants submitted as a result of RAC funding

Close of Project

  • A final progress report is due within 90 days of the completion of the project or the expiration of the award. Final Report Form
  • The final progress report should address major accomplishments including:
  • A list of publications, in preparation, submitted, accepted or published
  • Grant applications, pending or awarded funding which were derived through the RAC funded research
  • An accounting of how the RAC funds were spent-this need not be highly detailed but should reflect how the budget was initially outlined.
  • The final report from the Banner system will serve as a final accounting report.

Publications

Any publications and/or presentations resulting from research supported by these funds should be acknowledged with a footnote citation including the source of funds, New Mexico Medical Trust or Tobacco Settlement. The source of funding will be specified in the notice of award.