| | | Updates from the UCI Office of Research |
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| ZOT IRB and ZOT hSCRO are Live! |
| The new IRB and hSCRO applications are ready for submissions!
For Human Subject Researchers submitting to ZOT IRB:
- Review the transition webpage to know what Word documents are required for both current, IRB approved studies and new submissions.
- Refer to the HRP Toolkit for all documents.
- Review the Investigator Manual (PDF) to ensure your research follows UCI requirements and expectations.
For Human Stem Cell Researchers submitting to ZOT hSCRO: Review, complete and attach the Protocol Narrative for new submissions.
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| Quarterly Research Administration Meeting (QRAM) – Slides & Recording |
| The Office of Research hosted a Quarterly Research Administration Meeting (QRAM) on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. The slides and recording are posted on the QRAM webpage.
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| Sign up for the Office of Research Listserv |
| | To keep up with the latest updates from the Office of Research amid all the federal funding changes, be sure to subscribe to the CG-News listserv. Sign up by sending a blank email to cg-news+subscribe@uci.edu. | |
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| Due to shifts in the federal agency funding landscape, do not sign any certifications or acknowledgments, complete any surveys, or respond regarding grant compliance, change in abstract or scope of work, or project activities. Instead, forward such communications to Jeff Warner, Senior Director, Sponsored Projects Administration. Authorized Organizational Representatives (AORs) in the Office of Research will handle these matters. If you have trouble getting in touch with your Sponsored Programs offices/Contracts and Grants office, contact Nancy Lewis, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration. Learn more about the impact of federal executive orders and directives on federal grants and contracts.
For other questions or concerns, contact Paul Lekutai, Director, Federal and Non-Federal Sponsored Projects, or Jeff Warner.
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| Federal Agency Intelligence Guides Available |
| UC Irvine partners with McAllister & Quinn, a federal grant consulting firm. One of the resources the firm provides are federal agency guides. These guides provide comprehensive overviews of various federal agencies or funding mechanisms. Three guides are available for request: - NIH Agency Engagement Guide
- NIH R01 Intelligence Guide, and
- DOD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) Program Intelligence Guide
Please do not distribute these guides. If you would like to share with a UCI colleague, please have them complete the request form. | |
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| Institute for Clinical & Translational Science Launches Membership |
| | The Institute for Clinical & Translational Science (ICTS) is proud to officially launch ICTS membership, a free membership program aimed at enhancing and accelerating clinical translational science. ICTS membership is now required to access their services and resources. Whether you’re a community member, early-stage investigator or well-established, ICTS membership can make an impact on your research and career. It’s FREE and easy to sign up! | |
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| Physician Scientist Collective Network Hosts Miguel Villalona, MD |
| Navigating Through Research and Administration in Academic Medicine: The Pursuit of a Dream, Decision Points and Reflections on the Paths Not Taken, by Miguel Villalona, MD, Professor and Chief, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, UC Irvine School of Medicine; Deputy Director, UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Thursday, Oct. 23, 4 to 5 p.m.
Via Zoom | |
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| Mentorship, Education & Training (MET) Program |
| Partner with senior mentors from the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center to navigate career and scientific challenges, strengthen your research, and advance your long-term trajectory in cancer research. Early-stage and mid-career faculty are invited to apply for the MET program, a year-long professional development and mentorship opportunity.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Early- or mid-career faculty focused on basic, clinical, or population cancer research
- Chair or division chief approval for participation time
- Must be a member of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center by November 2025
- Availability to:
- Present at the MET Advisory Panel (Oct/Nov 2025)
- Attend mentor meetings every 4–6 weeks
- Present at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Scientific Retreat (Fall 2026)
Apply here by Sept. 22, 2025. | | Back to top | | | |
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| Jacqueline Kim, PhD (Medicine, Chao Comprehensive Cancer Center member), along with collaborators, Jennifer Valerin, MD, PhD (Medicine), Kai Zheng, PhD (Informatics), Gregory Botta, MD, PhD (UCSD), Andrew Ko, MD (UCSF), Gary Rodin, MD (UHN/Toronto), and Sarah Hales, MD (UHN/Toronto), received a grant from the UC Cancer Research Coordinating Committee for their project, “Refinement and usability of e-support for pancreatic cancer patients.” This project aims to narrow the gaps in the unmet needs of pancreatic cancer patients by examining the feasibility of an e-intervention that combines existing psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic interventions. This exciting collaboration across UCI, UCSF, UCSD, and the University Health Network in Toronto will commence October 2025.
Do you or someone on your team have research-related good news to report (e.g., research funding/award, publication, other accolade)? We would like to know! Please fill out this short Good News submission form. | | Back to top | | | |
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| Find funding opportunities for trainees, postdocs and early career faculty, and all faculty. For more funding opportunities and resources to help in your funding search, visit the Funding Opportunities page.
The Research Development Unit (RDU) has created lists of intramural funding opportunities and foundation funding opportunities. If you have additional opportunities that should be included, contact the RDU.
Considering applying for a Limited Funding Opportunity? Typically, you submit a pre-proposal to the Office of Research via UCI Review. If the opportunity is not listed, contact the RDU.
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| | Postdocs & Early Career Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
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Partnerships for Research in Implementation Science for Equity in Heart and Lung Diseases (PRISE-HL) T32 Program — Postdoc Positions Available
There are two open postdoctoral positions to start by June 30, 2026. The location is the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) or the University of California, Irvine (UCI). The position may be fully remote or hybrid depending on research scope. One-year training slots are available on a competitive basis to trainees proposing implementation science research in NHLBI priority areas (heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders), with a focus on health disparities.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the slots are filled.
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| Pershing Square Foundation MIND Prize |
| The Pershing Square Foundation MIND (Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery) Prize offers $750,000 over three years to support early-to-mid-career investigators pursuing groundbreaking research in neurodegenerative diseases. This prize aims to catalyze interdisciplinary approaches and facilitate collaborations across academic departments and institutions to accelerate our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases at every level.
Eligibility: Applicants must hold an MD, PhD or MD-PhD degree (or equivalent) and must have completed at least one but no more than eight years of independent research experience as tenure-track faculty (or equivalent) by May 2026
Letter of Intent Deadline: Sept. 29, 2025
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| Limited: 2026 Brain Research Foundation Seed Grant Program |
| The Brain Research Foundation (BRF) has invited UC Irvine to nominate one faculty member to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the 2026 Seed Grant Program.
Eligibility: The PI must be a full-time Assistant or Associate Professor working in the field of neuroscience, neurobiology, physiology, psychiatry, psychology, or related disciplines, proposing scientific projects with a focus on brain health and disease, including cancer.
Interested applicants are asked to submit a preliminary application to the Office of Research via UCI Review.
Deadline: Sept. 30, 2025
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| NIH K12 Early-Career Scholar Award |
| The UC Irvine Institute for Clinical & Translational Science (ICTS) has an open call for applications to the NIH-funded K12 award, intended to support early-career faculty for a period of mentored career development in preparation to transition to research independence or enable and expand the candidate’s potential to make significant contributions in the biomedical, behavioral and clinical translational sciences.
This award requires the candidate to hold a full-time junior faculty appointment above the clinical instructor level, and devote a minimum of 75% research effort of that appointment to the K12 program (50% for surgeon-scientists). Our goal is to increase the quantity and quality of exceptionally gifted clinical researchers and translational scientists throughout the training pipeline. Visit the ICTS website for further details and eligibility information. Apply here.
Deadline: Oct. 5, 2025
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| Limited: W. M. Keck Foundation Bridge Funding Initiative for PI/PhD student partnerships |
| The W. M. Keck Foundation has announced a one-time bridge funding program for up to six Faculty/PhD student pairs conducting research that fits within their focus on basic research that enables pioneering discoveries creating new knowledge. Funding is $200,000 over two years per partnership. Keck funds basic research in STEM fields.
Eligibility: PI is Assistant or Associate Professor as of January 2026 and student will be enrolled in PhD program for next two years (i.e., through January 2028).
Interested applicants are asked to submit a preliminary concept paper to the Office of Research (OR) via UCI Review.
Deadline: Oct. 10, 2025
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| The University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program |
| The University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PDF) offers postdoctoral research fellowships and faculty mentoring to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity.
Applicants must receive a PhD or terminal degree from an accredited university before the start of their fellowship. Fellowships are awarded for research conducted at any of the UC’s 10 campuses. Each award is for a minimum of 12 months and may be renewable for an additional term upon demonstration of academic/research productivity. Apply here.
Deadline: Nov. 1, 2025 | |
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| A.P. Giannini Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and Leadership Award |
| The A.P. Giannini Foundation invites physician-scientists and junior researchers with three to 36 months of postdoctoral research experience to apply to the 2026 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship & Leadership Award. Postdoctoral researchers are eligible to apply to the 2026 program if they have completed no less than three months and no more than three years in their mentor’s laboratory as of Dec. 31, 2025.
The Fellowship and Leadership Award supports innovative research in the basic sciences and applied fields and trains fellows to become established investigators and to pursue scientific leadership positions in academia, industry, public and non-traditional career pathways. Research projects should advance the translation of biomedical science into preventions, treatments and cures for human diseases.
For questions about the application process, reach out to Dr. Leslie Thompson.
Deadline: Nov. 6, 2025, 3 p.m. | |
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| | All Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
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Limited: NIH/NIGMS Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary TeamsThe NIH/NIGMS Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams is designed to support highly integrated research teams of three to six PDs/PIs to address ambitious and challenging research questions that are important for the mission of NIGMS and are beyond the scope of one or two investigators. Collaborative program teams are expected to accomplish goals that require considerable synergy and managed team interactions. Project goals should not be achievable with a collection of individual efforts or projects. Teams are encouraged to consider far-reaching objectives that will produce major advances in their fields. While applications may request research program budgets of up to $1.5 million in direct costs per year, it is anticipated that most awards will be between $700,000-$900,000 in direct costs. Annual inflationary increases are not allowed. The requested budget should be consistent with the number of PDs/PIs and the complexity and needs of the proposed program. Applications may request up to five years of support. For this cycle, UCI will submit one application in response to this call; therefore, interested applicants wishing to apply for the Jan. 27, 2026, deadline are asked to submit an expression of interest via UCI Review. Deadline: Sept. 23, 2025 | |
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| UCI Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center - Call for Developmental Grant Proposals |
| The Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) is pleased to announce the availability of funding for developmental projects. Grants of up to $100,000/year (direct costs) and 1–2 years may be proposed. This funding competition is open to all UC Irvine faculty members (senate and non-senate), with preference for investigators who are pre-tenured and new to the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) research. Apply here.
Deadline: Oct. 17, 2025, 5 p.m.
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| NIH Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Funding Opportunities |
| NIH has re-issued the NIA Expanding Research in AD/ADRD (ERA) Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (R25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding opportunity. This invites R25 applications to support the development and implementation of research education programs for recent baccalaureates. The proposed research education programs will support intensive research experiences in the AD/ADRD field with the goal of preparing recent baccalaureates to transition into strong, research-focused advanced degree programs or competitive private sector research careers in AD-related disciplines.
There are a couple of forecasted AD and ADRD opportunities as well:
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| | | Upcoming Seminars & Events |
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| Join Avantor and Danaher for an interactive showcase of the brands powering scientific discovery. Explore innovations and promotions, while connecting with leading suppliers including Abcam, Beckman Coulter, Cytiva, Leica, Molecular Devices, Phenomenex, SCIEX and VWR. As your trusted partner, Avantor provides direct access to Danaher technologies with local support and UCI-specialized pricing — helping you accelerate research, ensure compliance and set science in motion.
Thursday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Courtyard between Gross Hall and Hewitt Hall | |
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| NIH Loan Repayment Program Informational Webinar |
| The Institute for Clinical & Translational Science (ICTS) will be hosting an informational webinar led by Connie Rhee, MD, on the NIH Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) for interested applicants. Dr. Rhee is a Professor of Medicine at UCLA, and Chief of Nephrology at the VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care, and a previous NIH Loan Repayment Program recipient. This informational workshop is designed to provide an overview of the application process for the November 2025 submission deadline. Registration is required. Friday, Sept. 19, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Via Zoom | |
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| Welcome Reception for Experimental Pathology PhD Students |
| We are pleased to invite new and returning graduate experimental pathology students to the Experimental Pathology Graduate Program’s welcome reception. Join us after the School of Medicine’s PhD orientation and lunch for an informal meeting to welcome new students to the program and reconnect with peers. Drs. Elizabeth Head and Ed Monuki will provide welcoming remarks and highlights of our Experimental Pathology PhD program. Research faculty will also be in attendance, providing opportunities for casual discussions. Friday, Sept. 19, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Plumwood House Lecture Hall, Room 166 | |
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| Call for Abstracts! CHOC's Research Day |
| The CHOC Research Institute invites you to submit an abstract for CHOC's Research Day 2025. Work previously presented (within the past year) may be submitted for consideration. Accepted abstracts will be presented LIVE at the CHOC Research Day Poster Session on the CHOC campus on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. Deadline: Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, 5 p.m. PT | |
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| Introduction to Deep Learning Tools in Genomics |
| This workshop, led by Jenny Wu, PhD, and Ivan Chang, PhD, introduces the applications of deep neural networks to genomics including variant calling, motif discovery, analysis of gene expression, single cell and image analysis using deepVariant, deepBind, cellpose, etc. Learn more about this workshop presented by the UCI Genomics Research & Technology Hub. Registration is required: $50/person. Tuesday, Sept. 23, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Sprague Hall, Room 105 | |
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| Join Scientist Solutions and UC Irvine School of Medicine for a life science vendor show. Lunch will be sponsored by the School of Medicine.
Friday, Sept. 26, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Grassy area between Sprague Hall and Gillespie Neuroscience
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| Early-career investigators! Advanced Workshop on Research Skills in Oncology |
| This NCI-funded intensive 3-day virtual workshop is designed to provide early-career principal investigators a foundation in these critical skills within a short period of time. Beginning with personal assessments, participants will learn how to use their specific strengths to lead more effectively, increase collaborations, and stay resilient in the face of challenges. The workshop will have two tracks to allow for more tailored content for clinical and basic science researchers in oncology. Learn more about the Advanced Workshop on Research Skills in Oncology.
Eligibility: Early-career principal investigators in all areas of oncology research who have career development awards or other research grants with at least $100,000 in total direct costs over the course of the award. Participants must have a doctoral degree.
Application Deadline: Sept. 28, 2025
Workshop Dates: Jan. 21–23, 2026 | |
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| 2025 Third Annual Symposium for the Center for Neurotherapeutics: "Shifting Paradigms in Neurotherapeutics" |
| The 2025 Third Annual Symposium for the Center for Neurotherapeutics will feature speakers from across the country who will discuss different topics related to translational neuroscience research. Register for this FREE symposium by Friday, Sept. 26.
Friday, Oct. 3, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, Sue Gross Auditorium, 845 Health Sciences Quad, Irvine, CA 92697 | |
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| Science Day x Stem Cell Awareness Day |
| Join the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center for Science Day and Stem Cell Awareness Day! In collaboration with the UCI Muscle Biology and Disease Research Center, the Stem Cell Research Center is hosting a community outreach event for kids ages 5–18. They’ll have various science experiences designed for kids and tours of the Stem Cell Research Center. Register by Friday, Sept. 26, for a two-hour block of time. Volunteer opportunities available.
Saturday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Sue & Bill Gross Hall, 845 Health Sciences Road, Irvine, CA 92617 | |
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| 10x Genomics Single Cell Data Analysis Workshop |
| In this workshop, you will be introduced to the single cell gene expression analysis journey. Learn more at the UCI Genomics Research & Technology Hub website. This event is free but registration is required.
Thursday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: UCI Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering Building (ISEB) - Room 1010
Morning Refreshments & Lunch Provided
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| Monthly on Mondays | Faculty Development Series |
| Personal Finance, presented by David Brownstone, PhD. Monthly on Mondays, presented by Nimisha K. Parekh, MD, and Brian Cummings, PhD, associate deans of faculty development, is a monthly seminar series covering a wide range of topics on faculty development.
Monday, Oct. 13, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.
Via Zoom | |
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| Effective Mentorship – Fall 2025 Short Course |
| Presented by the UC Irvine Office of Research, GPS-STEM, the Institute for Clinical & Translational Science, and the Department of Physiology & Biophysics, this course is for current PhD students and postdocs. Learn about aligning expectations, what it means to be a good mentor and developing a mentor philosophy.
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Lunch provided) & Tuesday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to Noon
*Both days required
Location: NatSci I – 1114 | |
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| Rady Children's Health and UC Irvine Distinguished Lecture Series |
| Personalized Research Methodologies That Enhance Pediatric Healthcare Outcomes, by Amir Rahmani, PhD, Co-founder & Chief Scientific Officer, Centralive, Professor of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and Nursing, University of California, Irvine (UCI) and Associate Director, UCI Institute for Future Health (IFH)
Wednesday, Oct. 15, Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Via Zoom
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| ICTS K-Club Grant Writing Series |
| The Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) has coordinated a K-Club grant writing series intended for early- career faculty and postdoctoral scholars preparing to submit applications for NIH Mentored Career Development awards . These awards are designed to promote the career development of scholars looking to transition to research independence.
- Workshop 1: Introduction: Overview of the RFA and submission materials | Oct. 30, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
- Workshop 2: Assembling Your Application: Setting yourself up for a strong application and review | Nov. 6, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
- Workshop 3: Specific Aims, Career Development Plan & Mentor Qualification: Writing clear aims and assembling a qualified mentoring team | Nov. 13, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
- Workshop 4: K Award Panel Discussion: Q&A with current K Awardees about the grant process | Nov. 20, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Registration Deadline: Oct. 28, 2025
Location: UCI Campus, Hewitt Hall, Large Conference Room, Room 1042
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| Grand Rounds and CME Symposia |
| | For Continuing Medical Education (CME) opportunities, view the weekly Grand Rounds & CME Symposia email. | | Back to top | | | |
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| Do you have an open research-related position you would also like announced in Research Insider? Please fill out this form to have your open position listed.
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| What kind of grant support does the School of Medicine Research Development Unit provide? |
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| What kind of grant support does the RDU provide to Physician Scientists? |
| Along with the general grant support the RDU provides (outlined above), there are multiple programs available outlined on the Physician Scientist Resources page. - Physician Scientist Collective: Monthly seminar series with visiting speakers
- Physician Scientist Pathways Certificate Course: Six-week, 12-hour hybrid course that introduces clinicians to research pathways
- Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP): Helps physician scientists apply for their first K award
- Dean’s K Scholar: Provides awardees the protected time and mentorship needed to obtain NIH K/ equivalent funding
- Clinical Trialist Training Program (CTTP): Supports junior faculty on externally funded clinical trials through a 2-year partnership program with senior investigators already running clinical trials
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