Post Award
For all research studies, projects cannot be initiated or any funds expended prior to VA R&D Committee approval. R&D Committee approval will not be given until all committee and subcommittee reviews and approvals have been secured. This may take up to eight (8) weeks or more if Human Subjects Committee approval is required.
In order to avoid a significant delay in study start up, the approval process should begin as soon as the sponsor notifies the PI and/or SIBCR that a grant or project will by funded.
For studies with corporate funding, generally the CRADA is negotiated at the same time that the project is being reviewed for IRB approval, so that the project will not be delayed. If any other subcommittee approvals are required, they will need to be completed prior to R&D Committee approval.
The following are the relevant committees for approval of research projects as applicable.
- R&D Committee
- Human Subjects Review Subcommittee or Institutional Review Board (IRB)
- R&D Biohazard Committee
- R&D Safety Committee
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
- Recombinant DNA Committee
- Approval of the facility Radiation Safety Officer needs to be obtained for projects using radioactive compounds or procedures.
Once a study has received all required approvals and funding has been received, an SIBCR account will be opened. The account number will reflect the VA RDIS number assigned after R&D Committee approval.
Funds may be expended from the project account in accordance with the study budget, all relevant guidelines of the sponsor, and SIBCR policy. Financial reports will be provided monthly to members for each project or separate fund.
For all studies that use VAPSHCS clinical resources, the VA Medical Care Appropriation must be reimbursed for any costs incurred for work over and above the standard care required for normal patient care. Study coordinators must ensure that the relevant service lines have current and complete information on actual usage. SIBCR will review projects at least annually to verify that bills of collection have been received for these services in accordance with the Research Use Agreement(s) 
DOC on file.
SIBCR will send all required financial reports to sponsors. The principal investigator will be responsible for any scientific progress reports.
For further clarification or assistance, please contact Danielle Belisle, Senior Grants & Contracts Manager, danielle@sibcr.org, 206-277-3971; Kenji Schwarz, Grants & Contracts Manager, kenji@sibcr.org, 206-764-2731; Alka Goyal, Grants Specialist, alka@sibcr.org, 206-277-6588.