Covid-19 Updates
Continuity of ORSP Services during Covid-19
We are open and operating, providing submission and compliance services remotely during the UNC shutdown.
- Proposal Submission
If you are submitting a grant proposal within the next four weeks, please contact ORSP as soon as possible at orsp@unco.edu so we can coordinate the submission of your proposal. ORSP does not expect any interruptions of the services it provides to the UNC campus, though we are currently working remotely. We will provide updates as we get them from funding agencies/foundations as to deadlines and extensions.
- Human Subjects Research Considerations
Given the current COVID-19 outbreak, investigators should consider whether at any point their research procedures involving human subjects should be revised to limit personal contacts, for example by reducing the frequency of in-person visits or replacing in-person interviews with telephone or virtual (e.g. Skype, Zoom) communication. Whether and when this may be advisable will vary depending on your protocol and the subjects with whom you are working.
We want to remind you that while the federal regulations that guide our oversight of research require that we review revisions to protocol before they are implemented, there is one important exception, “where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the human subjects.” 21 CFR 56.108(a)(4).
Should you determine that changes in your procedures are required, they can be implemented as follows:
- If it is necessary to eliminate apparent immediate harm to participants, you may implement changes immediately, without prior notice to or approval from the IRB. The changes need to be reported to the IRB as soon as possible and will require justification for the delay if reporting takes more than 5 business days.
- If your changes are to reduce face-to-face contact (e.g. moving in-person interviews to Skype) and no other risks are being introduced (e.g. you haven’t decided to now video record rather than audio record), you can proceed with implementing your changes after notifying the IRB via email. No prior approval will be required.
- If your changes are introducing other risks (e.g. video recording, recording additional identifiers, change in site location, etc. that were not previously approved) you will need to submit a modification request for approval. Please feel free to reach out to the IRB for clarification or discussion.
Please send all email change requests to Nicole Morse (nicole.morse@unco.edu). You can also contact Nicole if you have any other questions.
- Federal Guidance
National Science Foundation (NSF)
- NSF - Impact on Existing Deadline Dates
- NSF Implementation of Memo M-20-17
- NSF Letter to Community Regarding COVID-19
- NSF Coronavirus Information
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- COVID-19 Resources for Applicants and Recipients of NIH Funding
- NIH Late Application Policy, Administrative Flexibilities, and FAQs Related to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients of NIH Funding
Animal Use and Care
For more information please see the UNC Covid-19 webpage and the Graduate School Covid-19 webpage.
Contact Us
Carter Hall 2008
Phone: 970-351-1907
Office Hours
8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mountain time
Monday-Friday