To the UVM research community: I’m writing to provide you with information regarding the research continuity planning related to the potential impacts of the COVID-19 virus. Our objectives for the Research Continuity Response are to:

• Protect the health and safety of the University community.
• Continue as many research projects as possible to the fullest extent possible.
• Preserve the University’s valuable research assets, such as data collections, specimens, species, genetic lines, etc.
• Allow researchers to cope with disruptions.
• Maintain services from research support and administrative units.
• Minimize disruption to the research enterprise.

Specifically:

1.  The Research Administration offices are closely monitoring sponsored project funding sources for updates and guidance. Currently, to the best of our knowledge, there are no specific federal grant-making agency alerts that have been issued to grantees. An important note related to travel: The CDC recommends travelers avoid all nonessential travel to several areas (currently Italy, Iran, South Korea, and China); See CDC Travel Health Notices for updates.

2. All core facility managers will be asked to consider, and share with their department and dean's office, plans for short- and long-term disruptions to the core facility operations.

3. The Office of Animal Care Management has a current Emergency Response Plan and is ready to implement that plan if necessary.

4. We will continue to provide updates via this listserv, and you can also visit this page on the Division of Operations and Public Safety updates.

Thank you in advance as we work through this important planning, and more specific guidance and instructions will be forthcoming as information becomes available. If you have questions related to the research continuity response or planning, please contact Dan Harvey at Dan.Harvey@uvm.edu

Richard Galbraith MD PhD

Vice President for Research