During a virtual Town Hall on Friday, May 8, 2020, Roger M. Wakimoto, UCLA vice chancellor for research & creative activities, presented information on the work underway in support of the campus research program and the ongoing efforts to plan for the ramp-up of research activities. He also addressed questions submitted in advance of the meeting. 

On April 8, 2020, Administrative Vice Chancellor Michael J. Beck and Vice Chancellor for Research & Creative Activities Roger M. Wakimoto shared a BruinPost recommending the the UCLA campus community use face coverings when in public settings, conducting essential work on campus, or entering campus dining facilities or other environments in which it may be difficult to maintain a safe distance of at least 6 feet from other people.

UC Research Initiatives (UCRI) announced the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2021 UC-National Laboratory In-Residence Graduate Fellowship (UC NLGF), a funding opportunity for UC graduate students in any field of study that aligns with the missions of Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories.

To accelerate urgently needed breakthroughs in the COVID-19 pandemic, the statewide funding programs of the University of California will provide $2 million in seed funding to scientists across the state to help jump-start their high-impact research projects. Awards of up to $25,000 are available immediately and are being funded by three statewide research grant programs UC administers that focus on breast cancer, tobacco-related disease and HIV/AIDS.

On March 25, 2020, Associate Vice Chancellor Marcia Smith distributed a notice from UC Interim EVP-CFO Paul Jenny that documents UC policy with regard to modified grant administration guidance recently issued by the Office of Management and Budget and the Federal grant funding agencies. The temporary changes in Federal guidelines are intended to provide flexibilities to help offset the disruption caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency.

On March 20, 2020, Vice Chancellor for Research & Creative Activities Roger M. Wakimoto shared a BruinPost regarding UCLA's decision to fully deploy ramp-down strategies by Monday, March 23, 2020. Vice Chancellor Wakimoto shared information regarding what this decision means for research performed on campus, clinical research activities, and off campus research activities. 

The University of California Research Initiatives (UCRI) is pleased to announce a research funding opportunity for UC multicampus collaborations. UC Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives (MRPIs) are multicampus or systemwide research collaborations that go beyond individual Principal Investigator (PI)-driven projects to benefit the UC research enterprise; strengthen UC’s position as a leading public research university; launch pioneering research in thematic, multidisciplinary, or interdisciplinary areas; enhance education and training; and benefit California and its people.

On March 17, 2020, Vice Chancellor for Research & Creative Activities Roger M. Wakimoto shared a BruinPost regarding the decision to ramp down nonessential campus operations, including research activities, due to the the ever-changing environment of the developing COVID-19 crisis. Please see the UCLA Laboratory Ramp-Down Checklist (PDF) to plan the ramp-down process, noting that not all of the items on the list may apply to your specific lab.

On March 14, 2020, Vice Chancellor for Research & Creative Activities Roger M. Wakimoto shared a BruinPost providing guidance regarding the Campus Community's research activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 4, 2020, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Jerry Kang, announced a call for proposals for the Faculty Career Development Award program (FCDA). This program provides funding for regular rank Assistant Professors and Assistant Professors-in-Residence at a critical time in the pre-tenure stage. The funding is to assist faculty as they advance an on-going research project, creative activity, or as they embark on a new project. Awards are made in the form of a lump-sum of $5,000 – $15,000 in research funds.

UCLA is hosting an Experimental Workshop on “Humane Infrastructures” March 9-10, 2020. The day and a half event brings together leading scholars, experts, artists, university administrators, politicians, and community members to consider and outline how we can build long-term human/humanities-driven capacity to collaboratively critique, imagine, design, and build civic and academic infrastructures at scale.

On February 26, 2020, Michelle Popowitz (assistant vice chancellor for research & executive director for UCLA Grand Challenges) shared a BruinPost regarding the research resources and processes that the Research Enhancement Office (REO) offers the UCLA community. The REO's services are designed to foster awareness about various funding opportunities.

On February 25, 2020, Administrative Vice Chancellor Michael J. Beck and Vice Chancellor for Research & Creative Activities Roger M. Wakimoto shared a BruinPost with the UCLA campus community regarding an interim Undergraduate Researcher Laboratory Safety Policy (Policy 906). Interim Policy 906 outlines the necessary safety requirements and prohibitions on research and other activities that involve undergraduate student researchers and highly  hazardous materials. The safety requirements outlined in this interim policy pertain to all research and teaching laboratory environments.

UPDATE: Please note that this event has been cancelled.

On January 30, 2020, UC Davis Health News annoucenced on behalf of UC Firearm Violence Research Center (UCFC) that they are awarding research grants to Investigators at California public universities. The purpose of the two requests for proposals is to explore new knowledge about firearm violence and its prevention.

On February 7, 2020, the Technology Development Group announced that applications for the 2020 UCLA Innovation Fund are now open. UCLA faculty from all schools who have signed the UCLA Patent Policy are eligible to
apply. The eligible projects must fall into one of two tracks: Therapeutics or Medtech.

The submission deadlines for Letter of Intent vary by track:

On Wednesday, February 5, 2020, Center for Community Learning (CCL) Director Shalom Staub announced the 2nd annual Chancellor’s Award for Community-Engaged Scholars. This program offers five $10,000 awards to support a cohort of UCLA ladder faculty who will advance community-engaged research and integrate this work within undergraduate education.

On Tuesday, February 4, 2020, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Emily A. Carter shared a BruinPost about UCLA’s commitment to compliance with U.S. laws and regulations that govern how international engagements are managed and reported.

The University of California Firearm Violence Research Center (UCFC) is the first state-funded center for firearm violence research, founded to address gaps in knowledge on firearm violence and its prevention.

On Tuesday, February 18, 2020, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Creative Activities will be hosting a town hall with Michael Lauer, Deputy Director for Extramural Research at the Natio