January 15, 2026
MRAM Q&A January 2026
Meeting materials are available for your review along with a list of links shared during the session. Q&A from our session are included here for reference and are available in the MRAM announcements.
Within a week or so following every MRAM, an email like this one typically goes out with Q&A from the session and a link to the meeting materials.
UW Intellectual Property
Q1: Will checking that box in eGC1 D-1 potentially delay submission?
A1: Selecting the D-1 Background IP checkbox should not delay submission. Most research agreements already require identification of Background IP, regardless of the new checkbox. Its purpose is to flag relevant Background IP earlier in the process, helping to streamline reviews and reduce overall turnaround time.
Q2: How far ahead of a proposal submission should a PI contact your office?
A2: PIs are not required to directly contact the technology transfer office (CoMotion) or OSP prior to checking the D-1 Background IP box. If the PI or eGC1 preparer have a question about identifying Background IP, we encourage you to reach out to your CoMotion contact or Meredith Reynolds (mlnr@uw.edu) as soon as the question arises.
Q3: Are there more detailed definitions for the D‑1 answer options?
A3: We have guidance to help respond to those checkboxes that we urge you to review: Compliance for Proposals and Agreements (Non-Financial)
Q4: Would the best practice be to ask the PI directly whether the proposal has BIP in it? Or is it adequate for the Grant Manager to review the proposal for keywords (i.e. patent, software)?
A4: Identifying Background IP solely from a proposal review can be difficult. The recommended best practice is to confirm this information directly with the PI. Providing the PI with the Background IP Checklist is an effective way to facilitate review and confirmation.
Resources
- CHECKLIST: Background IP: facilitates review and confirmation to identify if background IP will be part of a project.
- Compliance for Proposals & Agreements: provides guidance for key compliance topics for proposals and agreements.
- Identifying Key Terms in Solicitations: helps identify key terms in solicitations at early stages.
SAGE Update
Q: Can you share the best contact info or pathway for campus grant managers to share SAGE MOD requested changes / feedback? From issues we are encountering regularly (or “wish list” items) from our usability?
A: Please share your thoughts in a ticket to sagehelp@uw.edu. They will pass any enhancement requests on to Judy Chung, who will review for prioritization with stakeholders.
Office of Research and Office of Sponsored Programs Transition
Q: Who should we list or confirm is listed as the Authorized Official (AO) for proposals?
A: Until you hear otherwise, please continue to list Carol Rhodes as the AO. Sponsor systems will continue to list Carol Rhodes as the AO until OSP changes it in sponsor systems. We will update all of these systems once the OSP Director role has been permanently filled. Please stay tuned.