Register for Grant Writers’ Seminar

Designed for faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and administrative staff, this seminar blends strategy with real-world insights for developing competitive grant proposals.

• 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15
• Iowa Memorial Union or virtual

Led by John Robertson, managing member and owner of the Grant Writers' Seminars & Workshops (GWSW), the seminar receives high marks from previous participants. “Super helpful presentation, and this will help me develop my grant proposal,” said one 2025 attendee.

Costs and sponsorships:

• $200 (includes seminar, materials, and lunch for in-person attendees)
• College-sponsored registrations are available on a first-come, first-served basis
• Check with your collegiate associate dean for research to inquire about sponsorship
• Participants must meet eligibility requirements for sponsorship

Note: Attendance at the seminar is required to participate in the Write Winning Grant Proposals Workshop and consultation in January 2027.

Access now available to restricted-use federal data

UI researchers can now access restricted-use federal datasets through the U.S. Census Bureau's Iowa Federal Statistical Research Data Center, located at Iowa State University. The microdata available includes nonpublic administrative, business, demographic, and geographic data.

The Center for Social Science Innovation offers services for accessing these data. 

Keeping up with changing research security needs

The ITS Research Compliance Facilitation Office (RCFO) moved to the Information Security and Policy Office to better help researchers with data classification, selecting appropriate software and storage services, implementing compliant technical solutions, and assistance with system security plans.

For research data security and compliance planning, contact the RCFO at its-rcfo@uiowa.edu.

Updated Self-Guided IRB Orientation

In response to feedback, the Human Subjects Office updated the Self-Guided IRB Orientation in ICON. Researchers can now select to take only the specific module they need. Each module takes fewer than 30 minutes to finish.

Lassner promoted to senior associate vice president for research

Jennifer Lassner was promoted to senior associate vice president for research, effective May 1. She serves as the university’s designated institutional official for compliance with federal rules and regulations governing research.

Open-access journals and publishing

Changes to Wiley open access agreement

The university has a new agreement with Wiley Open Access, a publishing model that makes research articles immediately and freely available online for anyone to read, download, and share. Under the agreement:

• Access to read the full Wiley online library of journals remains available 
• For hybrid open access journals: Free unlimited publishing at no cost is guaranteed through Dec. 31, 2027
• For gold open access journals: Articles submitted by Aug. 31, 2026, are guaranteed to be covered; after Aug. 31, the author must cover the publishing fee

Full list of open access agreements

The UI Libraries supports open access through agreements with publishers such as Wiley, American Chemical Society, Cambridge University Press, and others. With open access agreements, libraries pay publishers for access to a journal’s full content and to publish their authors’ work open access under a single contract and fee, so authors don’t have to pay individually. Review this current list of publishers with open access agreements before submitting your next article.

The Conversation is an independent news organization dedicated to unlocking the knowledge of academic experts. Check out recent article:

Help the public understand your work. To learn how you can get your research published in The Conversation, contact Kristy Nabhan-Warren.