NIH seeks comments on proposed data management policy

The agency has released a draft policy providing supplemental guidance on data management and sharing. Comments must be submitted by Jan. 10, 2020.

Next NIH grants seminar April 20-22 in Baltimore

Registration is open for the National Institutes of Health's spring 2020 Regional Seminar on Program Funding and Grants. Topics covered include budgeting, clinical trials, financial conflicts of interest, grant writing, intellectual property and public acces.

More tales of the NSF OIG

The National Science Foundation's latest Semiannual Report to Congress states that the agency received a letter from four U.S. senators who sought a review of five grants that they were concerned sought to influence political and social debate rather than conduct scientific research. The agency reviewed the grants and determined that the merit review process was followed in all cases and that an audit was not warranted.

NIH scrutinizes funding gap between white researchers and black researchers

NIH knows that black scientists are less successful than white scientists in winning R01 awards. A recently published paper examined the funding gap and identified three decision points at which disparate outcomes arose: (1) the decision to bring applications to discussion during peer review study sections, (2) impact score assignments for applications discussed and (3) topic choice. Regarding topic choice, black applicants were more likely to be associated with studies examining issues including health disparities, disease prevention and socioeconomic factors. Details are available here.

Writing an NIH fellowship application

A new podcast discusses how to prepare a competitive proposal for an individual fellowship. Details are available here.

More tales of the NSF OIG

Investigations reported in the agency's semiannual report to Congress include several involving SBIR/STTR funding. Follow-ups on previously reported incidents of research misconduct also are discussed. Details are available here.

NIH project summary/abstract vs. project narrative

In an NIH grant application, the project summary/abstract and project narrative are made publicly available in the agency's award database if the project is funded. The difference between the two sections is available here.

NSF seeks comments on PAPPG update

NSF has released a draft of the annual update of the PAPPG. Written comments must be received by July 29 to ensure consideration. Key changes include allowing for the budgeting of fees for data deposit and data curation; eliminating the option of uploading pdf versions of biosketches; and eliminating the requirement for a separate section in the Project Description labeled "Intellectual Merit." Details are available here.

NIH applications: Try, try again -- then start over

The agency accepts only a single resubmission of a competing new, revision or renewal application. Additional applications on the topic must be submitted as a new application. Details are available here.

Your questions about NIH's Early-Stage Investigators program answered

To promote the growth and stability of the biomedical research workforce, NIH gives special consideration to early-stage investigators in some cases. Details about the program are available here.

NIH redoubles efforts to combat sexual harassment

A recent  report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine stated that federal agencies are perpetuating sexual harassment in the sciences. NIH has organized a working group to address the problem. Details are available here.

NIH: Include individuals across the lifespan

The agency reminds applicants that studies should address age-appropriate inclusion of individuals or justify the exclusion of certain groups. Details are available here.

Changes to the AREA R15 program

NIH now has two R15 programs: AREA and REAP, and both are intended for schools that are not major recipients of agency funding. AREA grants are Academic Research Enhancement Awards for undergraduate institutions. REAP is the Research Enhancement Award Program, which is aimed at graduate schools of arts and sciences and health professional schools.

NIH has provided a roundup of resources about the two programs.

GAO adds science team

The Government Accountability Office has created a Science, Technology Assessment & Analytics Team to audit federal S&T programs, assess technology and compile best practices in engineering. Details are available here.

Lights, camera, science!

The National Science Foundation will present its Spring 2019 Grants Conference May 20-21 in Los Angeles. Registration begins Feb. 14, and details are available here. The conferences usually fill up quickly, so register promptly to ensure a sea.

New NIH website for human subjects research

The agency has launched a new version of its human subjects website in an attempt to simply access to information.

NIH to host grant seminar May 16-17 in Baltimore

The agency will present a regional seminar on program funding and grants administration for researchers and research administrators. Participants can meet with experts and learn about dozens of topics. Event details are available here.

NIH policy change roundup

Human subjects, grant review criteria, eligibility for the AREA program -- NIH has a vareity of new policies for applications submitted on or after Jan. 25. Read all about it here.