Year: 2024

Why do I feel so confidently that we will reach our goal to double research activity per Clemson Elevate? Because we have done it before. 

Total research and development expenditures as tracked at all institutions by the National Science Foundation (NSF) increased from $152 million in fiscal year 2013 to $287 million in FY2023, the latest year for which NSF data is available. I believe we will exceed $300 million in FY2024. 

Our growth is unmatched. Over the past decade, Clemson posted a compound annual growth rate in total R&D of 5.6 percent, a full percentage point higher than the average of all other Carnegie R1 research institutions, according to NSF data. If interested in reading more about our research activity, you can read my latest quarterly research report here.

Together, we have enhanced our research culture and posted unmatched growth. This has required a shared commitment from university leadership, deans, associate deans, department chairs, faculty, research associates, graduate students and support staff to enhance our research enterprise. I want to thank all of you. 

We know we have much work to do, and the Division of Research is working hard to support your research. Here a few important updates as we near the end of another successful semester. 

We are accepting applications for funding from numerous R-Initiative programs:

• The Clemson Faculty Succeeds R-Initiatives offers four opportunities: (1) Project Initiation/Seed Funding applications are due Jan. 15, 2025; (2) Collaborate applications are due March 5, 2025; (3) Project Completion applications are due Feb. 3, 2025; and (4) Fast Track applications are accepted any time. View details on each program here.
• The Clemson Core Incentivized Access program that offers access to research facilities is accepting another round of applications, which are due March 31, 2025. 
• Several R-Initiatives are available to support industry collaboration, including programs to support hiring postdoctoral researchers and engaging with for-profit companies. Details are available here.
• Other R-Initiative programs accept applications any time and provide support for external reviews and travel to meet with funding agencies. The full list of R-Initiative funding programs available is listed here.

For untenured junior faculty, our Office of Research Development (ORD) is accepting applications to its annual CAREER Academy, which runs in the spring semester. The Academy provides a dedicated support structure for untenured junior faculty who are planning to submit National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) proposals. Academy participants will complete the program with a competitive proposal to submit to the NSF. Apply here by Dec. 7. 

Additionally, numerous ORD workshops are planned this spring to help you enhance your proposals for external funding:

• Designing Effective Graphics for Grant Proposals;
• NIH and NSF Requirements for Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Mentoring Plans;
• 3-Part Series: Writing Effective Research Objectives and Specific Aims; and
• Engaging Stakeholders: Community Organizations. 

Details on these workshops are available online here, and past workshops are available to view here. ORD also provides support to Clemson faculty who are working large-scale, complex research grants that are larger than $1.5 million. To request support, click here. 

For faculty and graduate students interested in commercializing their research, Clemson joined a hub of Southeast universities that received a $15 million from National Science Foundation (NSF) to help nurture the commercialization of innovation. Our participation in this Southeast I-Corps Hub is led by the Clemson University Research Foundation. The Hub will work to identify business development opportunities for new technologies and prepare inventors for commercial success. Learn more here. 

The Office of Research Compliance (ORC) is rolling out new InfoEd request forms for the Institutional Review Board (details here) and the Institutional Animal Use and Care Committee (details here) that will streamline the submission process and facilitate faster responses for you, as well as create an accessible archive of your compliance requests. The new forms will be released in mid-December. IMPORTANT NOTE:  To accommodate the transition, the system will be temporarily inaccessible from Nov. 23 until Dec. 9 when new forms go live, so any submissions (new, amendment or annual review) that need to be filed before then must be complete by Nov. 22. 

Additionally, ORC has launched a newsletter to keep researchers abreast of timely compliance updates. Subscribe here. IACUC also plans to launch a newsletter to update faculty on animal use and care matters. Subscribe here. 

We continue to monitor changing federal regulations. On Oct. 1, the federal government released new regulations that will impact proposal submissions and award management. Of particular interest is the value of equipment and the F&A applied to subrecipients. Clemson University is in the process of negotiating a new F&A rate with the federal government, so no action is needed at this time. Additional guidance will be provided after rate negotiation has concluded. Multiple additional changes are in the new regulations (2 CFR 200). As these changes are clarified by agencies, additional information will be posted. More information is posted here.

Finally, I am pleased to announce that we have hired a director of electronic research administration, a new position created to enhance and streamline services to you as we aim to double research per the Clemson Elevate strategic plan. Mike Bryant starts in this role Nov. 18. He has been with Clemson nearly 10 years, most recently as director of health care infrastructure, where he developed and implemented IT infrastructure improvements to support operational efficiencies and enhanced services to clients. Please join me in welcoming Mike to the team. He can be reached at cbryan8@clemson.edu.  

I want to thank all of you for your ongoing commitment to research, scholarship and creative endeavors at Clemson. 

Sincerely, 

–Tanju

October 2024 Research Report

July 2024 Research Report

April 2024 Research Report

The pursuit of scholarship and discovery through research has become engrained in the culture at Clemson University. It’s part of the fabric of our student experience, along with world-class academics and championship-caliber athletics. And, as the research enterprise grows, so do the opportunities for students. The way research enhances the student experience at Clemson will be the focus of my April Board of Trustees Report. You can view my quarterly reports here.  

The current fiscal year is again proving to be a strong one for our research enterprise. Research awards were $141 million through the second quarter, up 33 percent from the same six-month period in the prior fiscal year. I appreciate all of your great work in support of our Clemson Elevate goal of doubling research. 

I want to share a few important updates to help keep your research, scholarship and creative endeavors moving forward. 

The Research Symposium planning committee extended the deadline to March 22 for faculty to submit ideas for panel discussions around the multifaceted role of digital tools and artificial intelligence in scholarship, education and practice across different fields. The Symposium will be held May 8 at the Watt Family Innovation Center. This is a great opportunity for you to make new connections and inspire new collaborative endeavors. Your participation is essential to the event’s success. Submit your idea and join the conversation. 

We are actively tracking policy updates and new proposal requirements from federal agencies: 

• New common disclosure forms have been released for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support sections of an application for Federal research and development (R&D) grants or cooperative agreements. 
• Effective May 20, consulting activities must be reported on current and pending documents if meeting specific criteria. 
• The National Institutes of Health issued notice in January that it is strengthening enforcement of reporting requirements for award closeouts. Noncompliance could lead to unilateral closeout and negatively affect future awards.
• The National Science Foundation has announced a revised Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide that will become effective May 20. This includes updated guidance related to foreign subawardees/consultants, malign foreign talent recruitment programs, proposal formatting and other matters.
• Additional details on each of these matters are posted to our Regulatory Alerts webpage. 

Opportunities remain available through our R-Initiative funding programs. 

Applications for the Core Incentivized Access program are due March 27; the R-Initiative provides access to core research facilities for electron microscopy, light imaging, micro fabrication, high performance computing and animal research services. 

Applications for the Doctoral Dissertation Completion Grant are due May 13; these funds support doctoral candidates in the final stages of dissertation preparation. 

Additionally, several R-Initiatives accept applications any time for funding to support industry collaboration, external reviews of grant proposals and travel to meet with funding agencies. Additional details are posted online. 

The Clemson Light Imaging Facility now offers histology services. CLIF can assist with sample fixation, grossing, embedding and routine H&E staining, and now routinely processes and sections animal tissue, plants and fish. Please contact imaging@clemson.edu to schedule a consultation and request services. 

Finally, I want to remind you of the procedure for requesting letters of support so we can process these in a timely manner and provide high-quality, professional letters to help your funding request. Please bookmark this page with instructions and a template to use for your request.  

As we push toward our goal of doubling research per the Clemson Elevate strategic plan, the volume of requests for letters of supports has and will increase. Your support of these procedural guidelines is essential to our ability to process these requests in a timely manner and provide top service to you for your pursuit of external funding. I appreciate your attention to this matter. 

Best wishes for continued success through the end of the semester. 

Dear Reader,

We are excited to introduce the Histology Services now available at Clemson University through the Clemson Light Imaging Facility. This groundbreaking initiative aims to empower our esteemed biology departments with access to state-of-the-art technologies, providing researchers and students unparalleled opportunities to delve deeper into the intricate world of cellular and tissue analysis.

Histology plays a pivotal role in understanding the fundamental building blocks of life. Our Histology Services offer comprehensive support to researchers, educators, and students seeking to unravel the mysteries of cellular composition. From tissue processing and embedding to sectioning and staining, we ensure precise and high-quality preparations for microscopic examination.

By integrating histological techniques into your research projects and coursework, you open avenues for a more profound understanding of cellular morphology, organ structure, and pathological conditions. Whether you are investigating developmental biology, pathology, or comparative anatomy, our Histology Services provide a robust platform to enhance the depth and accuracy of your findings.

Key Benefits of Utilizing Our Services:

Enhanced Precision: Our Histology Services guarantee precise and consistent results, ensuring the reliability of your research outcomes.

Global Collaboration: Share your findings effortlessly with peers worldwide, fostering collaboration and advancing research on an international scale.

Educational Empowerment: Integrate these services into your curriculum to provide students with hands-on experience and exposure to cutting-edge technologies, preparing them for future advancements in the field.

How to Access Our Services:

To avail of these transformative Histology Services, please contact imaging@clemson.edu. Our staff  will guide you through the onboarding process, ensuring a seamless integration of these services into your research projects and educational programs. For current equipment and service prices, visit the CLIF Rates & Fees page.

Embark on a journey of discovery, where microscopic wonders come to life. Clemson University is at the forefront of innovation, and with these services, we are proud to propel our biology departments into a new era of scientific exploration.

Equipment available:

1. Leica BIOCUT Rotary Microtome
2. Leica Histocore Arcadia H Embedding Station
3. Leica Histocore PEARL Paraffin Processor
4. Leica CM1950 Cryostat

We can assist with sample fixation, grossing, embedding, and routine H&E staining. We have to date successfully processed and sectioned animal tissue, plants, and fish. Contact imaging@clemson.edu or if you are registered, visit the iLab portal to schedule a consultation and request services.

February 2024 Research Report