October 23, 2007

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In this issue:
• Submission of Grant Applications for Biohazard Approval
• HERO
• University Driver Approval Process Reminder
• Air Canada Corporate Flight Pass

Submission of Grant Applications for Biohazard Approval

Over the last year, the Biosafety Division has been revising its approval processes and tracking its average turnover rate for issuing letters of biohazards approval. The Biosafety Division has reduced the average turnover rate to 18 days in the second quarter of 2007 from 100 days in the last quarter of 2005. The main reason for this reduction was the Division began segregating grants according to whether funds had been officially awarded or were still pending. A priority was placed on those grants with awarded funds. Grants with pending funds were archived and their status was checked intermittently with the Principal Investigator or RSO. Due to the current low awarding rates from most funding agencies, the majority of pending grants were never funded. Those pending grants that were later awarded were quickly identified in the new system and moved to the priority review pile.

With the success of this new system, the Biosafety Division officially requests that research groups now refrain from sending in any documents for biohazards review until funding for the project has been officially awarded. Grant applications, studentships, fellowships, research service agreements, start-up fund experimental plans and other documents can be submitted to the Biosafety Division either via email (EHS_RSR@ehs.ualberta.ca) or campus mail (MS Code 287).

>> Click Here

HERO

The University of Alberta recently launched a project to implement the Human Ethics Research Online (HERO) system to improve researcher services related to ethics certification for research projects involving human subjects. Using the Click Commerce eResearch Portal, HERO will automate review processes for human subject research through an internet application form that will be routed electronically for required reviews and approvals. Researchers will be able to collaborate on application development on-campus and off, save draft applications, bank their ethics applications and frequently used study materials, incorporate material from grant applications and other sources and monitor the approval status of their ethics applications. RSO and the Grants & Contracts Project team will work with the HERO team to enable better links between grant funding and ethics approval.

Testing and implementation of this project for the Arts Science Law REB and the Health REB - Biomedical Panel is planned for the first quarter of 2008. For additional information, please contact Susan Babcock, Manager – Research Ethics Office, at 492-6561.

>> HERO

University Driver Approval Process Reminder

There has been a significant increase in University vehicle collisions involving unauthorized University drivers from academic and support departments. Department supervisors must ensure their drivers have met and continue to meet all requirements prior to permitting them to operate University owned rented or leased vehicles. Repair costs associated to damage resulting from the operation of a University vehicle by an unauthorized driver may be transferred to the appropriate department.

Anyone hired by the University of Alberta or enrolled in a University program after March 01, 2003 who wishes to drive a University owned, rented or leased vehicle for University business purposes must apply for University driving privileges. University driving privileges may be revoked due to licence suspension, expiry or excessive demerits and violations.

>> U Drive Safe

Air Canada Corporate Flight Pass

The University of Alberta participates in the Air Canada Corporate Flight Pass program - great fares across Canada and no transaction fees. The University purchases a predetermined number of flight credits up front to be used for flights within three specific zones: Western Triangle Pass for travel between Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Abbotsford; Canada West for travel within Alberta and between BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North West Territories and the Yukon; and Trans-Canada for travel between Alberta and Ontario and Quebec

If you are interested in taking part in the program, please contact Joyce Assen at 492-3275.

Contacting RSO

Research FUNDamentals is RSO's Research Administration eNewsletter.
It is delivered monthly by e-mail subscription.

Volume 3 Issue 7

Editor

Cindy Lieu
Communications Coordinator

Contributors

RSO Management Team

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