Federal Demonstration Partnership - Phase V

Federal Demonstration Partnership - Phase V

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Member

In September, 2008, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science became a member of the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) for Phase V (2008 – 2013). The FDP is a cooperative initiative among federal agencies and institutional recipients of federal funds. The FDP primary goals are increasing research productivity and decreasing administrative burden while maintaining effective stewardship of federal funds. The FDP members of all sectors cooperate in identifying, testing, and implementing new, more effective ways of managing the more than $15 Billion in federal research grants. The goal of improving the productivity of research without compromising its stewardship has benefits for the entire nation.

Begun as an experiment in 1986 between five federal agencies (National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Office of Naval Research, Department of Energy, and US Department of Agriculture) and the Florida State University System and the University of Miami to test and evaluate a grant mechanism utilizing a standardized and simplified set of terms and conditions across all participating agencies. Some highlights of Phases I-IV are listed below:

  • Streamlined award terms and conditions for research grants
  • Increased budget flexibility (modular grant format)
  • No cost time extensions
  • Pre-award costs
  • Carry-forward across continuation years
  • Technical progress reports/minimal continuation proposals
  • Revised OMB A-110
  • Renewing the Government-University Partnership
  • Introduction of Faculty and Program Officers as FDP members
  • Subawards
  • Faculty Burden Survey
  • Electronic Research Administration (eRA)

During Phase V, the focus is on "researchers doing science, not administration, through reduction of administrative burden and increased efficiency of procedures and practices. The goal of FDP will continue with efforts to assure that federally funded researchers and research programs are effective and productive, and that the underlying systems and processes do not unnecessarily hinder the research process. The interaction between FDP’s university and federal members take place at the FDP’s three annual meetings and, more extensively, in the many collaborative working groups that are tasked with developing specific work products.

As a member of the FDP we are charged with continuing our efforts to reengineer and streamline internal processes and to maintain and establish procedures and systems that comply with federal requirements for administering federal awards for research. Immediate benefits from FDP membership include more flexible terms and conditions that apply to FDP institutions and valuable agency and collegial contacts that are made through networking and participation in projects efforts. CDU participating in Phase V of the FDP will provided the opportunity to work side by side with government agencies in determining the future directions of federally funded research programs and processes.

This is an exciting time for CDU and we are committed to this important partnership as we move forward with our research endeavors. Detailed information about FDP history, organization and initiatives can be found at http://thefdp.org .