Assigning Research Lab Space

Assignment of Research Laboratory Space Policy

Basis for Policy

Rapid expansion of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) research enterprise has led directly to the development of a merit-based system for assignment of research space. This policy applies to all research laboratory space on the UNMC campus and is based upon funding.

Policy

Decisions regarding assignment of laboratory space will be made by the UNMC Research Space Committee in conjunction with the appropriate college dean or institute director.

Each UNMC research laboratory is given a hierarchical designation based upon its quality:

Type A, state of the art laboratories (e.g., those in the Durham Research Centers and in the Lied Transplant Center);
Type B, older laboratories that are useable;
Type C, older laboratories that require renovation to be useable.

Investigators who have been most successful in attracting extramural federal funding will be given the highest priority for the UNMC Type A laboratories. Since we, as an academic medical center, place a high value upon the ability to compete successfully for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, success in obtaining NIH grant support is the standard.

In general, Type A research laboratory space will be assigned according to the criterion that one NIH-R01 or the equivalent merits one research laboratory module.

An investigator who wins NIH funding for research, will be assigned to the highest quality space that is appropriate for the work.

Research space assignments will be reviewed annually by the Office of Research Resources with status reports being issued to Department Chairs. Upon a lapse in NIH or equivalent funding, investigators will have an appropriate grace period to re-establish funding. The exact duration of the grace period will be determined by the overall needs of the UNMC research community, but will not exceed three years.

Research space vacated when a researcher leaves UNMC reverts to unassigned status under the control of the UNMC Research Space Committee.

Definitions

Research Laboratory Module - comprised of one laboratory and one office. The number of square feet represented by a “laboratory module” will vary depending upon its location.

Research Laboratory Space - defined as wet lab bench space. Investigators awarded grants for research that does not require wet lab bench space should not expect to be assigned this type of space.

Procedure To Request Research Space

Research space may be requested by using the appropriate college or institute Space Request Procedure (links can be found at the bottom of this page or are under construction). Research space requests will be considered by the Campus Research Space Committee.

For more information, contact the Director of Research Resources.

College of Dentistry Space Request / College of Medicine Space Request / College of Nursing Space Request / College of Pharmacy Space Request / Eppley Space Request / MMI Space Request

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