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Letters of Support

Presented by:Cynthia Ernest

Contracts Officer

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What are Letters of Support?

• From a scientist in support of a proposal either at LBNL, or at another institution

• Scientist may be participating as a researcher on the project

• Scientist might be an unpaid “Other Significant Contributor” (NIH term)

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If being paid

• Provide enthusiastic support for the goals of the proposal

• Outline the scientist’s participation and role on the research project

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If NOT being paid

• Must avoid making a promise or commitment of effort that won’t be charged correctly

• DOE will not pay for effort expended on other research projects.

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Time

How to participate without committing effort:

• Time available to the general scientific community but not time specifically for this research

(such as invitations to attend lectures or

symposiums or research group meetings)

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Information

How to participate without committing effort:

• Information available to the general scientific community

(such as meeting to discuss shared

research information)

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Data

How to participate without committing effort:

• Data available to the general scientific community

(such as data posted on NIH (or other)

public databases)

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If the Letter of Support commits effort:

the scientist must indicate what funded

research is appropriately being charged

for that time.

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How to Assist the Scientist

Avoiding the commitment of effort can be just a matter of language nuances.

See attached handout for examples of words and phrases to avoid and some suggested words and phrases that safely do not commit effort.