Frequently Asked Questions
Check here for your most frequently asked questions.
Who is eligible to use the systems and services offered by PARCC?
PARCC is a centralized resource for the University of Pennsylvania and any researcher at Penn can use its systems and services.
What kind of support will PARCC offer?
PARCC will have a support team consisting of technical specialists (technical support and maintenance) and technical consultants (experts in specific disciplines related to Penn research) to assist with the transition and integration between research computation activities in the data center and research computation activities in the public cloud. Assisting researchers using the appropriate computational and storage tools will result in cost and performance efficiencies.
What training is required by the university for postdoc appointments?
Postdocs should complete the responsible conduct of research (RCR) training. There will be training required for specific kinds of research and they should discuss with their faculty mentor as well as explore the offices relavant to their research (e.g. IRB, Biosafety, etc).
How long is the typical postdoc appointment?
Postdocs can be appointed for one year at a time and for up to five years, depending on prior experience. Information on appointments can be reviewed in the postdoctoral policy.
How can I get started on a research project that involves community members?
The Community Engagement Research Core (part of ITMAT) is a resource at Penn that offers “consultation on community engagement, training in participatory research methods, and assistance with community translation activities”.
Does work being conducted in the United States ever count as a foreign component?
Generally, no.
How do I transfer equipment out of the United States?
An export license may be required to ship or hand-carry items or equipment out of the U.S. The need for a license is dependent upon the nature of the equipment, as well as the end-use, recipient, and destination of the equipment. Additionally, even temporary export of equipment to some locations may incur customs tax obligations. Due to complexities of the requirements you should consult the Office of Export Compliance for assistance regarding shipping or traveling with equipment internationally.
I have a collaborator from another country who will work in my NIH-funded laboratory on my NIH project but receive no salary from my NIH grant. Is this considered a foreign component?
No, a “Foreign Component” exists only if the research activities occur outside of the United States.
Do all federal agencies have defined foreign components?
No, the concept of “Foreign Component” is specific to NIH.
What is the NIH definition of a foreign institution?
NIH defines a foreign institution as an organization located in a country other than the United States and its territories that is subject to the laws of that country, regardless of the citizenship of the proposed Program Director/Principal Investigator.