BREF conducts primarily clinical and biomedical research focused on health issues with direct relevance to Veterans.  In support of these efforts, BREF provides diverse services to investigators and project personnel through grants and contracts administration, human resources management, and technical support for grant submissions.  BREF also supports education activities for VA clinicians and investigators, Veterans, and Veterans’ families/caregivers.  BREF funding for research and education are received from industry, foundations, non-VA federal agencies, and individual or private donors.   

BENEFITS TO WORKING WITH BREF

Investigators and Project Directors enjoy working with BREF because of our flexibility, personalized service, quick response time, low overhead rates, and reduction of bureaucratic hurdles. We are a one stop shop for all external funding needs. We can often hire and order supplies with more flexibility than the VA or the University. In some cases, we already have staff on board who can assist with your needs. We can accept personal and corporate donations, place approved purchase orders within 2 business days, negotiate study budgets and contracts, and assist with grant proposal development. Once studies are awarded, not only do we manage all of your post award needs, but 100% of BREF managed research studies count toward VERA allocation dollars which benefits the VA Medical Center as a whole. Further details on the services we can provide are below.

SERVICES BREF PROVIDES

Identifying Sources of Funding - BREF is available to cultivate collaborations and identify funding opportunities to match your research and education needs. Click here for our Customized Funding Opportunity Search Request Form.

Assisting with Proposal Development and Budgets - When applying for funding, BREF will assist with analyzing sponsor specific guidance, pulling together documentation, developing budgets, and is available to read proposals for grantsmanship given enough lead time.

Negotiating Contracts - All grants and contracts that are eligible for negotiation will be negotiated by BREF administration in conjunction with the VA Specialty Team Advising Research (STAR) attorneys.

Hire Research Staff - BREF can hire staff quickly and efficiently. We can also enter into Joint Personnel Agreements (JPA’s) with the University of Maryland to utilize UMB staff, Memorandums of Understandings (MOU’s) with the VA (to utilize VA staff), or Inter Personnel Agreements (IPA’s) with the VA (for BREF staff to work on VA-funded projects).

Purchasing - Purchase supplies or equipment quickly, often within 2 business days of the request approval, and purchases are not limited to VA vendors.

Payments/Reimbursements - Payments to vendors or reimbursements to employees are usually made within 5 business days of the Check Request approval or billing receipt.

Managing Post Award Activity - BREF will manage all post award activities such as accounts payable/receivable, financial reporting, amendments and modifications.

Study Subject Payments - When applicable, BREF uses the Greenphire system, ClinCard, to pay study subjects participating in BREF-administered research projects. ClinCard is designed to optimize clinical trial performance by improving patient engagement and retention and eliminating the administrative burdens that can distract from research execution. Subjects are provided what is essentially a credit/debit card where study funds are loaded. They can use the card as a credit card, or they can take it to a bank to receive cash. Funds are available to the subject immediately after they have been entered into the system.

Low Overhead - BREF Administrative overhead is generally 10% - 39%, depending on funding type and Sponsor requirements. Lower overhead allows investigators to devote more funds to the project or program.

Facilitating Travel - For investigators with budgeted travel funds on a grant or contract, or a residual account from completed studies, BREF can facilitate travel that is related to VA Research or Education.

Discretionary Funding - BREF can provide limited discretionary funding for research and education activites on a case-by-case basis.

SHOULD MY PROJECT BE ADMINISTERED BY BREF OR MY ACADEMIC AFFILIATE?

HOW TO BECOME A BREF RESEARCH INVESTIGATOR OR EDUCATION PROJECT DIRECTOR

Becoming a BREF Investigator or Project Director is easy! You just need to be a VA employee, which can be with or without compensation. You also need to meet sponsor eligibility requirements to lead the research study or education activity. To begin the process, please contact us!

Information to come...

SOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES

BREF administers funding from various sources such as industry, foundations, and federal agencies other than the Veterans Administration (VA). If you find a grant you would like to apply for, or a clinical trial you would like to run at the VA, please reach out to the BREF Director of Sponsored Programs for assistance. BREF is also available to do customized funding searches. Click the link below for ways to look for funding opportunities.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS

The information below is need for most grant applications. If you have any questions please contact BREF’s Director of Sponsored Programs.

Legal Name: Baltimore Research and Education Foundation, Inc.

Mailing Address: 10 North Greene Street, Mail Stop 151, Baltimore, MD 21201

Authorized Representative/Signing Official: Caroline Zink, Ph.D., Executive Director

Tax Exempt Status: 501(c)(3)

DUNS: 825218183

UEI: F2GESED9PK47

EIN/Tax ID: 52-1705976

Congressional District: MD-007

Human Subjects FWA: 00001420

Search existing NIH Grants - NIH RePORTER

Search existing DoD Grants - Current DoD Grants

Additional important information for current BREF Investigators and Project Directors can be found in the portal below. Information includes documents such as forms, policies, procedures, etc. Please contact BREF administration for access.