Dear Colleagues,

It is startling to realize that we are two-thirds of the way through FY19 and days away from the official beginning of summer. However, VAPAHCS’ research community’s proposal, award, publication, and travel activities keep us aware of the quick passage of time and busy. Eight months into 2019, you have submitted 78 sponsored research proposals and received 26 awards; you can read about the awards we have received since March elsewhere in this newsletter. Congratulations, and thank you! Nevertheless, we are always eager to work on and submit more proposals and to accept more awards. We are dependent on growth in awards and spending to fund increases in administrative operating costs.

As I wrote to PIs on June 13, we are increasing the July PI ADM funds distribution from 4% to 6%. This restoration of a portion of the previously discussed reduction means that the 6% July distribution will be the same as the 6% distribution in April. I understand and appreciate the meaning and value of the PI ADM funds distribution to you – how unique they are and how important they are to your research program and you. I did not take the decision to reduce the PI ADM funds distribution lightly, and I am committed to protecting these funds for your use. We can restore a portion of the funding because of the projected year-end budget outcome; the decisions we have made and actions we have taken to manage the budget have had the intended impact and have resulted in a much better than budgeted projection. While we still project to end the year with a budget deficit, it is manageable. We will have more difficult choices to make as we develop a balanced budget for FY20, yet I am confident that we will realize our goals.

I want to remind you that PI ADM funds that were in your account balance on September 30, 2018, as well as those distributed to you in FY19 – including the July distribution – must be spent no later than August 31, 2019, or they will be reabsorbed for central services and support. Your CGAs are eager to work with you to develop a plan to utilize fully the funds before August 31, 2019; please work with them. Here is a link to the policy identifying how the funds can be used.  I prefer that you use these funds to support your research activities than we sweep them back into the central accounts.  https://pavir.net/policies/administrative-accounts-for-indirect-costs/

We have recently released PAVIR’s FY18 Annual Report. You can access the Annual Report at: https://pavir.net/public/docs/pavir-annual-report-fy2018.pdf

I hope you enjoy reading about PAVIR’s news and some of the remarkable activities that make PAVIR a vibrant community. As we work through 2019 together, I want to thank you for your ongoing partnership and support of PAVIR.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

• Thursday, July 4 - Independence Day