FAQ

1. Which browser(s) are compatible with the Memorial Researcher Portal?

While the Memorial Researcher Portal is compatible with up-to-date versions of Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox, the preferred browser is Google Chrome. You can download Google Chrome hereNOTE: The Researcher Portal is not compatible with Safari or Edge.

2. I entered my Login ID and Password but I see Access Denied. What should I do?

Do you have a Memorial Researcher Portal account?
If not, request one.
If you do, close and reopen your browser. Navigate to https://rpresources.mun.ca/, click the Log Into the Memorial Research Portal button and re-enter your Login ID and password. Please ensure that you are using the email address that you provided when you first requested your Memorial Researcher Portal account.
If you still see Access Denied, clear your internet browsing history before trying to login again. To do this, close all open internet browsers (Chrome, Internet Explorer or Firefox) and then press the Ctrl + Shift + Delete keys at the same time. Clear cookies and other site data.
If your problem is not resolved after clearing your cache, please submit a RIS Help Ticket here: https://rpresources.mun.ca/help/.

3. What is the timeout period for inactivity in the Memorial Researcher Portal?

The Memorial Researcher Portal has a time-out setting of 2 hours. Please ensure that you save all information entered once completed.  If you’re experiencing what appears to be a system time-out in a shorter window, first verify that you’re not experiencing intermittent or weak internet connectivity, and you’re not allowing your PC, laptop or tablet to enter sleep mode while logged into the Memorial Researcher Portal. If neither scenario applies, please submit a RIS Help Ticket here:  https://rpresources.mun.ca/help/

4. I clicked on the "Save" button while completing my Application form, but there appears to be some data missing. Why?

To avoid data loss
• do not open multiple sessions of the Memorial Researcher Portal
• do not use the Back button in your browser
• do not enter the < or > symbols in any fields of the application form
• when pasting data into the text fields, right-click and select Paste as plain text (or Ctrl + Shift + V) to ensure you don’t lose data due to special formatting.
These actions can cause loss of work and/or error messages.
Note that saving errors may occur, even if you do not receive an error message. This may occur if your session has timed out or if you have lost your Internet connection. Please make sure to save often to reduce the chances of losing data.

5. How do I submit an event?

Click here to learn how to submit an event.

6. I launched an Event but I can't find it in the Memorial Research Portal. Where did it go?

Click here to learn more about how to find an event you submitted.

7. I am receiving an error message when trying to paste a large amount of text into a text box in an application/event. What is the issue?

If you exceed the character limit, a warning message will be triggered. The short text fields allows 255 characters and the large text fields allow 7999 characters (approximately 1200-1300 words). If your response exceeds the allowable characters, and a longer response is acceptable to the board reviewing the information, upload a document (in Word or PDF format) to the Attachments tab that contains the entire response and use the text box to note that the that the response has been added as an attachment.

8. Can a student/staff member/co-investigator start an application in the Memorial Researcher Portal, and change the role of Principal Investigator to someone else?

Yes. You should never share your username and password with another user so if you wish to have someone else edit the application add them to your project team. Anyone can start a submission in the Memorial Researcher Portal, and the role of Principal Investigator can be changed at any time prior to submission. Here’s how:
1. Edit the application.
2. Click Change PI on the Project Team Info tab.
3. Type the last name or first name of the intended PI in the Last Name or First name fields and click Search. Click Select to select the new PI.
Add yourself as another project member before saving your changes.
4. Click the Add New button from the Other Project Member Info section.
5. Click Search Profiles and type your last name in the Last Name field. Click Search. Click Select beside your name.
6. Use the drop-down menu to select your new Role In Project.
7. Click Save.
Note: Do not type in your information, as this does not link your account to the application.
You can check that you have done this correctly when you close the form. The file should now appear under the heading Role: Project Team Member
For more information on how to change a PI, please see the video Transferring PI Role or refer to the manual Creating a New Application.

9. Can a project team member submit an application on behalf of the Principal Investigator?

No, a project team member does not have the ability to submit the application. When the Principal Investigator submits the application they accept all responsibility for the contents of the application and the research. Please note: Account and password sharing is NOT PERMITTED.  If you have started an application on behalf of a Principal Investigator, please see the video Transferring PI Role or click here to learn how to change the Principal Investigator.

10. Can a researcher withdraw a Researcher Portal application once it has been submitted?

Researchers can only withdraw an application if it appears under their Applications: Drafts or Applications: Requiring Attention links in their Principal Investigator role block.
Once the application has been submitted, it can no longer be edited and can no longer be withdrawn in the Researcher Portal.
After submitting an application, the Principal Investigator must contact the relevant ethics or awards office to which they applied to have their application withdrawn.
For ethics applications:
• Health Research Ethics Authority (HREA) – 709-777-6974, info@hrea.ca
• Interdisciplinary Committee on Ethics in Human Research (ICEHR) – 709-864-2561, icehr@mun.ca
• Grenfell Campus Research Ethics Board (GCREB) – 709-639-7596, gcethics@grenfell.mun.ca
• The Institutional Animal Care Committee (IACC) – 709-777-6620, acs@mun.ca
For awards applications:
• RIS: RIS Workflow Coordinator, 709-864-3805, risworkflow@mun.ca
• Marine Institute: 709-778-0636

11. What is the maximum size of a file that can be attached to my application on the “Attachments” tab?

The maximum file size is 10 MB. While users can attach as many files as necessary, no single file can exceed 10 MB. When attaching a file also consider:
– Ensure your attachment filename does not include these characters: ” , # % & * : < > ? / { | } ~ +
– Filenames must not exceed 128 characters.
– Do not use the period character consecutively in the middle of a file name.
– Do not use the period character at the end of a file name.
– Do not start a file name with the period character.

12. The file that I want to attach on the “Attachments” tab is greater than 10 MB. What should I do?

The Memorial Researcher Portal “Attachments” tab allows researchers to upload supporting documents to their application. While multiple attachments are permitted, no single attachment can exceed 10 MB.  Software products, such as Winzip or Adobe Acrobat Pro, can be used to reduce a file’s size so that it can be successfully uploaded into the Researcher Portal.

13. When I export my application to a Word document or PDF, where are my attachments?

Only the filenames of the attachments are included when you export an application. Attachments may be downloaded from the Attachments tab by clicking on the filename.

14. My profile information in the Memorial Researcher Portal is incorrect. When I change it in the Memorial Researcher Portal the changes disappear, why is this happening.

The Memorial Researcher Portal does not accept changes to profile information by the user. In order to make changes to your Researcher Portal account profile you must complete the form “Update my Account Information” on the Memorial Researcher Tools & Resources website here: https://rpresources.mun.ca/request-romeo-account/update-research-portal-account/.

15. Do I need to complete an annual certification verification?

Yes. In accordance with Institutional policies (Human Ethics, Animal Care, Biosafety), the TCPS2 and Institutional agreements with the Tri-Agency (including Tri-Council Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions and the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research), research certifications must be maintained for the duration of the research for which the certifications apply. Access to funding is contingent upon maintaining valid certifications. Memorial University is required to confirm and monitor human, animal and biosafety clearance certifications prior to the release of all research funding (including at the initial award stage and for annual installments), regardless of the source of funds. RIS is the designated point of contact for the annual verification process.

16. My research does not, and will not, require human ethics, animal or biosafety certifications. Why do I need to complete an annual certification verification?

Under the Tri-Council Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions, and in accordance with Institutional policies (Human Ethics, Animal Care, Biosafety), Memorial University is required to verify clearance requirements pertaining to animal care and human ethics clearances prior to the release of all research funding (including at the initial award stage and for any subsequent annual installments), regardless of the source of funds. RIS is the designated point of contact for this process. On behalf of Memorial’s Institutional Biosafety Committee, RIS also confirms clearance certification requirements pertaining to biosafety/biohazardous clearances to conform to the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research.

17. I am talking to a company about a research project and now they are talking about contract language. I am not sure what to do next. Who should I talk to?

The first step is to contact the Research Innovation Office (RIO) at the early stages of communication with industry to determine the commercial expectations of the research. The RIO staff will provide recommendations on the best type of contractual relationship required to meet the needs of both you and the industry partner.

18. My industry partner wants to include a royalty rate in the research contract. Is this a good idea?

It is recommended that any commercial licensing language, such as royalties or equity language, not be added to research contracts with industry. At this initial stage the intellectual property has not yet been developed, so it is impossible to ascertain the value of that intellectual property to create a mutually beneficial arrangement. We strongly advise that researchers and units involve the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Office (TTCO) at the early stages of communication with industry to determine the commercial expectations of the research. Discussions with third parties regarding commercial intellectual property licensing and royalties, should always be done with the participation of the TTCO.