Message from the Director
Due to where we are in time and space, i wanted to send a note out this month, with a very simple message to all of the CSRD research community. In terms of What's Important Now:
(a) safety for investigators, research staff, and study participants is the very foremost priority. I know that everyone is flexing to the extreme in terms of doing the right thing for research - so thank you for doing all that you are being asked in this regard; and
(b) we're here if you need us. CSRD staff has been seamless in adjusting to the new order, and we are not only ready and standing by to help with questions, we are in fact delighted to hear from you and how you are managing.
Resources for you regarding research administration include the set of detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), as well as information from Central Office on the SharePoint site you can access through VA networks: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vacovhacomm/admin/projects/covid19
You may wish to spend a minute reading through the FAQs because they provide a lot of practical information including funding issues and what we are especially interested in hearing from you about. Of course, we will deal with funding issues together after we move through this time of administrative holds. This is especially true for our career development awardees and others who are being called upon to help in spectacularly unexpected ways and cannot continue to focus as usual on your research. We'll be here for you when we get to the point where we pick up the pace once again.
With respect to the management and completion of the CSRD Spring 2020 round of review for submitted applications, our staff has also continued to make arrangements so that we do not miss a step in terms of the integrity of the review and being able to make funding decisions on time as planned. We have made the decision to hold our Spring 2020 review meetings virtually, with all processes in place except having the in-person face-to-face discussion. I would ask at this time in particular, if you are asked to serve as a scientific reviewer, PLEASE consider helping because we need experts to make it all happen as planned. You can certainly reach out to our Scientific Program Managers to offer your time if that is something you could contribute in the May/June timeframe.
On another note - science is bringing so much hope to the world in terms of providing proven solutions around COVID-19. The number and type of clinical trials is truly amazing, and we will continue to work to coordinate any clinical trial activity at the national level. Additionally, while there is an early call for clinically related short-term research projects on COVID-19 https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vacovhacomm/admin/projects/covid19/SitePages/Research-Opportunities.aspx, we intend to publish a more detailed program of opportunities soon. So please keep the ideas and suggestions coming. Lastly, if there is local activity that is being started related to COVID-19 research, please do send an email to ORDCOVID19@va.gov to let us know about it. We all understand the national research portfolio on COVID-19 will be most valuable if everyone organizes this collaboratively.
We all wish you well,
Terri
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