The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Administration (OSPRA) would like to extend a warm welcome to new VSU faculty and staff members, and a warm welcome back to returning VSU faculty and staff.

Research Compliance (OSPRA) has been busy this summer – updating IRB applications, revamping IP forms, and auditing IACUC files for compliance. Please take a moment or two to review the information included below. Feel free to contact this office with questions and/or concerns @ irb@valdosta.edu.

Intellectual Property (IP)

• IP is any innovation or discovery conceived or developed by faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows or students using university resources. “Use of university resources” is purposefully broad and includes all use of employee or student time, equipment, supplies or facilities and clinical practice. For example, an idea arising from your work – is, by this definition, Intellectual Property.
  • The Bayh-Dole Actgives universities the right to retain ownership of IP resulting from federally funded research. This right of ownership allows Valdosta State to protect your rights to use the IP and to continue to build on your research.
  • The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia’s policy on IP can be found at: http://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C352/#p6.3.2_definitions
• Each employee inventor who develops IP is required to complete the appropriate disclosure forms. Follow the link to access forms and additional information – http://www.valdosta.edu/academics/graduate-school/research/office-of-sponsored-programs-research-administration/intellectual-property-.php.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

• Delete all saved old and outdated IRB application templates. Download the new and updated IRB applications.
  • Exempt – http://www.valdosta.edu/academics/graduate-school/research/office-of-sponsored-programs-research-administration/documents/exempt-updated-application.pdf.
  • Expedited – http://www.valdosta.edu/academics/graduate-school/research/office-of-sponsored-programs-research-administration/documents/expedited-application.pdf.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

• It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI) to –
  • Distribute required heath forms to animal workers (i.e. student research assistants, graduate assistants, etc.) – once forms are complete, submit the completed forms to the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Administration (OSPRA).
  • Inform animal workers of any known health and safety risks.
  • Conduct safety protection and practices training for animal workers.
  • Provide animal workers with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Follow the link to access forms and additional information – http://www.valdosta.edu/academics/graduate-school/research/office-of-sponsored-programs-research-administration/health-screening-and-incident-forms.php.

Export Control

• To send or take controlled tangible items, software, or information (an “export”) out of the United States in any manner (including hand carried), to transfer ownership or control of controlled tangible items, software or information to a foreign person or to disclose information about controlled items, software or information to a foreign government or foreign person.
• Follow the link for additional information – http://www.valdosta.edu/academics/graduate-school/research/office-of-sponsored-programs-research-administration/export-control.php.