Administrative Updates
COI Attestation Process
October 6, 2026
A message from the Conflict of Interest Office Effective October 12, 2026, the Conflict of Interest Office is automating the relatedness question of COI reviews into a standardized attestation process. We expect this change to: This attestation process reflects best practices at peer institutions and reflects our focus on continual improvement, efficiency and effective compliance ... Read more
Kendra Hightower named alliance manager for Pinnacle Hill partnershipĀ
September 29, 2026
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research is pleased to announce that Kendra Hightower has joined UNC-Chapel Hill as the alliance manager for Pinnacle Hill, a strategic partnership between Carolina and Deerfield Management designed to accelerate the discovery and development of new medicines. In this role, Hightower will serve as a critical connector between ... Read more
Updates on electronic data capture tools and new REDCap@UNC
September 17, 2026
A message from Andy Johns, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Dear Carolina Research Community, The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research is coordinating with various campus units to address the rise in research infrastructure and service costs. The proliferation of cybersecurity threats that require heightened information security, an increasingly demanding regulatory environment that ... Read more
Deborah Tate named director of the Nutrition Research Institute
September 15, 2026
A message from Penny Gordon-Larsen, Vice Chancellor for ResearchĀ Dear colleagues, I am pleased to share that Deborah (Deb) Tate, PhD, has been named director of the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI).Ā Deb has served as interim director of the NRI since April 2024, leading the institute through an important period of transition while strengthening ... Read more
Announcing the Carolina Catalyst FundĀ
September 3, 2026
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Office of the Provost are pleased to announce the launch of the Carolina Catalyst Fund, a new internal funding program that supports high-risk, high-reward research and scholarship across all disciplines. Faculty may apply for awards of up to $10,000 through Catalyst Spark or up to ... Read more
Participate in UNC Research Week 2026
July 15, 2026
Please consider hosting an event during UNC Research Week (URW), happening October 19 ā 23. Submit your event here to be featured on the URW website. URW is an annual, campus-wide initiative sponsored by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Office for Undergraduate Research. Through a week-long series of events hosted by units across campus, ... Read more
RENCI Leadership Transition Positions Institute for Continued Growth and ImpactĀ
July 15, 2026
Ashok Krishnamurthy is stepping down as director of RENCI and willĀ createĀ aĀ new labĀ inĀ the UNC School of Data and Information Sciences.
UNC-Chapel Hill Comments on OMBās Uniform Guidance Rule
July 13, 2026
We respectfully offer the following comments and recommendations, focusing on the provisions that would most significantly affect UNC-Chapel Hillās research enterprise; our faculty, students, and trainees; our patients and community partners; and the broader federal-university research partnership.
JillĀ AronsonĀ Pfaendtner named assistant vice chancellor
July 1, 2026
A message from Penny Gordon-Larsen, Vice Chancellor for Research Dear colleagues, I am excited to share that Jill Aronson Pfaendtner has been named assistant vice chancellor for research strategy and impact, effective June 8, 2026. In this position, she will play a pivotal role in strengthening the universityās research enterprise by fostering connections, partnerships, and initiatives that amplify the reach and impact of UNCās research. Key ... Read more
COI Program Move to Annual Disclosure Model
April 13, 2026
A message from Quinton Johnson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Compliance Effective today, the Conflict of Interest (COI) Program is moving to an annual disclosure model. If you are involved in the design, conduct, or reporting of sponsored or human subjects research, you will: COI training is fully integrated into the disclosure workflow. Most researchers ... Read more