8:43 a.m., June 19, 2009----The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), also known as the federal stimulus package, was signed into law earlier this year and the University of Delaware launched a Web site to provide UD researchers with information and links to government Web sites and their grant and funding requirements.

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This UD ARRA Web site can now also be accessed directly via a “button” located on the University's home page.

“This information is changing rapidly,” noted Mark Barteau, senior vice provost for research and strategic initiatives and the Robert L. Pigford Chair of Chemical Engineering. “We encourage researchers to check the Web site frequently and help us keep it current.”

For research projects, specifics vary from agency to agency, but Barteau notes some general guidelines that apply across the board.

Because of the mandate to spend quickly, significant funds are likely to be disbursed as supplements to existing grants for specific enhancements to the research. Contact your program director at the agency for information.

There is significant variation from agency to agency about whether new requests for proposals, or RFPs, will be issued, or whether they will simply fund more of pending -- and possibly recently unfunded -- proposals. When new RFPs are issued, deadlines are likely to be short. It is important both to get things ready for submission, and to pay attention to emerging calls.

There will also be significantly greater reporting requirements attached to ARRA funds. The minimum reporting frequency proposed by the Office of Management and Budget is quarterly, and the National Science Foundation has proposed monthly reporting.

Information on the University's ARRA activity -- amounts requested and funding received -- also is available on the site, and that information is being updated regularly.