December 2020 Project Update

RAMP Export Control has launched. This new system marks the fifth module within the Research Administration Management Portal, and it provides an automated process and enhanced communication tools for the submission, review and management of export control requests. The Export Control module offers the same transparency as the other RAMP modules since users can check the status of requests in real-time. It also provides a flexible review process, as ancillary reviewers can be added to the workflow to evaluate and comment on particular export control requests as needed.

RAMP Export Control can be accessed by signing into the myFSU portal, clicking the “RAMP” icon, and then clicking the Export Control tab within the top navigation menu. Users can also access the system through links contained within Outlook email notifications as certain system activities are performed.

Export Control requests, as listed below, are required to originate through RAMP at this time.

  • Biologics Access Controls
  • DD Form 2345 – Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement
  • Shipment (International only)
  • Sponsored Research, Collaborations and Other Agreements
  • Visa
  • Visitor

Training sessions were held last month to demonstrate how to utilize the new system for each export control request type. If you weren’t able to attend these trainings or if you need a refresher, please view the brief recordings posted on the Export Control training page on the RAMP project website. There are many resources available, such as How-To Guides by request type, a PI Reference Guide and a document outlining When RAMP Export Control is Required. Users can also learn how the ancillary review process works by reviewing the Ancillary Review Guide and which system actions trigger email notifications through reviewing the System Workflow and Notifications Guide. The same training resources are also conveniently accessible within the “Help Center” tab in RAMP Export Control.

Virtual “Office Hours” have been organized to respond to user questions and provide direct software assistance using Zoom screen share functionality. Registration is required and space may become limited due to screen sharing considerations (additional sessions will be offered based on demand). Following is the schedule:

Day Date Time Topic Zoom Registration
Thursday Dec. 10 10:30 -11:30 a.m. RAMP Export Control Office Hours Zoom Link
Tuesday Dec. 15  1:00 - 2:00 p.m. RAMP Export Control Office Hours Zoom Link

The RAMP Export Control support email serves as the best communication tool to reach the Export Control training team at ramp-exportcontrol@fsu.edu for any questions, concerns or feedback. We are dedicated to helping you successfully navigate RAMP Export Control.

RAMP Grants has entered its sixth month. More than 930 Funding Proposals have been created.

The Grants module offers system-to-system proposal submission capability that connects with Grants.gov, and it integrates with the RAMP Agreements and RAMP IRB modules, as well as OMNI. As previously communicated, to assist in the transition to learning a new system (RAMP), a brief period of time was provided where researchers and administrators could utilize non-RAMP systems for submission of proposals. Effective 10/15/20 and beyond, all FSU proposals supported by RAMP-Grants and Grants.gov are required to be submitted System to System via RAMP-Grants. The only proposals that are not required to be submitted via RAMP will be those that are not supported by RAMP-Grants. Most proposals are supported by RAMP. To view the list of proposals documents that cannot be submitted via RAMP, please visit the RAMP Grants Training website and click on “Unsupported Documents” in the right-hand navigational menu. Training materials, educational videos and How-to Guides to assist with the RAMP proposal process are also available on that page. If you have any questions, please check with your SRA Grants Officer to determine whether the solicitation is supported in advance via email to RAMP-Grants@fsu.edu.

If you weren’t able to attend RAMP training in the past, it is not too late to learn what you need to know to successfully navigate RAMP Grants. In addition to the materials noted above on the training page, Virtual “Office Hours” have been scheduled in November and December to respond to user questions and provide direct software assistance using Zoom screen-share functionality. Registration is required and space may become limited due to screen-sharing considerations (additional sessions will be offered based upon demand). Registration and session times can be found at https://ramp.research.fsu.edu/training/.

REMINDER: The RAMP Grants support email, RAMP-Grants@fsu.edu, is the quickest way to reach the RAMP Support Team with any questions or concerns. Please continue to provide us with your feedback as we continually work to improve the training options. We are dedicated to supporting your efforts to learn and use this robust new system.

PIs Needed

The RAMP Support Team will be conducting PI Focus Group Meetings to gather information about the RAMP user experience. Due to RAMP customizations being implemented in December and early January, the RAMP Focus Groups have been moved to late January and early February. We are seeking feedback on the value of the training (including ease of access and quality of information provided), Help Desk support quality and system functionality. These groups will be composed of PIs who are willing to share their opinions as well as an hour of their time to build a better RAMP product for the research community. If you have submitted a proposal in RAMP as a PI and would will willing to provide one hour of your time (via Zoom) to participate in a focus group, please email Dan Mullins, RAMP Support Director at dmullins2@fsu.edu.

Sponsored Guest Access

Sponsored Guest Access is now available in RAMP. Occasionally, there is the need for someone outside FSU to have limited access to RAMP. This occurs most often when FSU is acting as a single IRB (but could occur in other cases). Rather than going through the longer onboarding process that is required and appropriate for individuals who will have an ongoing relationship with FSU, individuals can be provided with limited access to the system. For more information, please visit https://ramp.research.fsu.edu/sponsored-guest/

All requests for a Sponsored Guest must be submitted to the RAMP-Grants@fsu.edu mailbox with the subject: Sponsored Guest Access Request.

The request should contain the following:

  1. Guest’s name and Guest’s external email address of fewer than 30 characters (will be used as FSUID)
  2. FSU Requestor’s name, department and title. (If this individual is not submitting request, they should be CC’d on request.).
  3. The request should also include a very brief description as to the need for the access (e.g., to access IRB protocol when FSU acting as IRB, etc.)
  4. The approval of the Associate Dean, Department Chair or designee. (This can be submitted as an attached email approval or they can be CC’d on the email and respond with an “I approve.” The request will not be processed without this approval.)

Once the request has been received, the RAMP Support Director will create the Sponsored Guest Access request in OMNI. The Guest will then receive an email with a link to provide the required information: NAME, HOME ADDRESS COUNTRY, EMAIL ADDRESS CONFIRMATION, DATE OF BIRTH, GENDER and PASSWORD CREATION.

Upon receipt of information from the Guest, the RAMP Support Director will create the account in RAMP and notify the Guest and Requestor that the access is now active.

This process can typically occur within 1-3 days but is dependent upon the Guest providing their information in a timely manner. It is recommended, when possible, to request access approximately two weeks prior to need.