![\"\"](\"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/engagedresearch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/389\/2026\/08\/VOLUME-II-ISSUE-XIII-JULY-2026-p1-791x1024.png\"){kind=spacer}
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”About” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-115px|||||” custom_padding=”54px|0px|100px|0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-58px|auto|-61px|auto||” custom_padding=”47px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Current News” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#592c88″ min_height=”40px” custom_margin=”-93px|||||” custom_padding=”1px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|100px|0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-273px|auto|1px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”63px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slider _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#592c88″ positioning=”none” vertical_offset=”0px” min_height=”926.2px” custom_margin=”-57px|||||” custom_padding=”6px||0px|||” animation_style=”slide” animation_delay=”1500ms” animation_starting_opacity=”50%” auto=”on” auto_speed=”30000″ auto_ignore_hover=”on” hover_transition_duration=”500ms” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slide heading=”NSF Updates Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP) ” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has updated the format for submitting the required Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP). Beginning in 2026, DMSPs will no longer be uploaded as PDF attachments. Instead, th<\/span>ey wi<\/span>ll be compl<\/span>e<\/span>ted and submitted through a dedicated webform w<\/span>ithin Research.gov. This change aligns with NSF Supplemental Policy Notice NSF 26-202, i<\/span>ssued o<\/span>n January 22, 2026, and subsequent guidance released by NSF <\/span>through a Research.gov advisory. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n What you need to know: <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Spotlight: Early Career Grant Opportunities ” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Are you an early-stage i<\/span>nvestigator looking to launch your research career? Numerous fund<\/span>ing agencies offer grant programs specifically designed to support emerging<\/span> researchers<\/span> as<\/span> they establish independent research<\/span> progr<\/span>ams, build preliminary data, and develop competitive research portfolios. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Early Career Grant opportunities are available across a wide range of disciplines from federal agencies, foundations, and professional societies. Programs such as the NSF CAREER Award, Department <\/span>of En<\/span>ergy Early Career Research Program, and many f<\/span>oundation-spon<\/span>sored young i<\/span>nv<\/span>esti<\/span>gator awards provide <\/span>critical support for innovative r<\/span>esearch<\/span> and caree<\/span>r dev<\/span>e<\/span>lopme<\/span>n<\/span>t.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explore our curat<\/span>ed list of Early Career Grant Opportunities <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Process for Honorariums ” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n An honorarium is<\/span> <\/span>a voluntary payment to present to someone to express gratitude or admiration for receipt of their time and effort with <\/span>a<\/span> contract<\/span> se<\/span>t<\/span> in <\/span>place. To<\/span> <\/span>ini<\/span>tiate<\/span> an honorarium, complete the honorarium request form, which is linked below, and draft a l<\/span>etter thank<\/span>i<\/span>ng the reci<\/span>pie<\/span>nt f<\/span>or th<\/span>eir time an<\/span>d contribution. A completed W-9 form from t<\/span>h<\/span>e <\/span>recipient must<\/span> <\/span>also be attached to the form and letter. Once the packet is<\/span> assembled,<\/span> o<\/span>b<\/span>ta<\/span>in<\/span> <\/span>all n<\/span>eces<\/span>sary<\/span> <\/span>d<\/span>e<\/span>partm<\/span>e<\/span>ntal an<\/span>d<\/span> administr<\/span>a<\/span>tive<\/span> <\/span>signat<\/span>ure<\/span>s.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n https:\/\/www.wcu.edu\/WebFiles\/controller-request-to-autho<\/span>riz<\/span>e-<\/span>honorarium.p<\/span>df<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n After g<\/span>athering the required signatures from the PI\/Ao, s<\/span>end <\/span>the full request to Ben Peters at bpeters@wcu.edu for<\/span> gra<\/span>nts approval v<\/span>ia Adob<\/span>e Sign.<\/span> Onc<\/span>e grants approval i<\/span>s compl<\/span>et<\/span>e an<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>all sign<\/span>atu<\/span>r<\/span>es are in plac<\/span>e,<\/span> the<\/span> finalize<\/span>d r<\/span>eques<\/span>t<\/span> sho<\/span>uld be emailed to the Controller’s Office for processing. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you have qu<\/span>e<\/span>s<\/span>tions or need ass<\/span>istance with this pr<\/span>oces<\/span>s, p<\/span>lease reach out to Ben Peters directly. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”IRB Quick Links: Managing Your Study in InfoEd ” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Navigating next steps in the IRB process? Use the guidance below to ensure your submissions are completed correctly:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Responding to requested revisions:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Use this guide when the IRB has asked for changes to your submission <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2192 <\/span>Respond to Changes Requested by the IRB Reviewer<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Making changes to an approved study: <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Use this process to request updates after approval <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2192 <\/span>Submit a Modification to an Approved Protocol<\/span><\/a>\n