NIH success rates for 2011

Overall success rates for research grants were down. Read all about it at the NIH website.

NIH Regional Seminar April 16-18 in Indianapolis

Click the headline for details.

NSF Day Feb. 28 at NC State

The Wolfpack will host NSF Day in Raleigh, NC. Preregistration is required. Click the headline for details.

GRANT Act of 2011

A bill introduced in the U.S. House (H.R. 3433) calls for the posting of all funded proposals to the Web, as well as the publication of name of peer reviewers for grant programs, among other provisions. The bill is sponsored by Darrell Issa (R-CA) and James Lankford (R-OK). Some university associations have voiced concerns about the legislation. Click the headline to see the legislation. Visit the website of the Council on Government Relations to read the joint letter is has submitted with AAU and APLU outlining these concerns.

More tales of the NSF OIG

The OIG investigated several cases of plagiarized text in NSF proposals. Read about it in the OIG's annual report.

NIH FCOI webinar

Lots of changes. Hear all about it.

NIH FAQ COI

Frequently asked questions about the National Institutes of Health's conflict of interest policy.

Reviewers contradict each other?

It's frustrating: Two grant reviewers contradict each other. What to do? NIH offers some advice.

NSF Day @ Indiana U. of Pennsylvania

It's scheduled for Sept. 21. Registration deadline is Sept. 13.

NIH proposes new human subjects rules

HHS says the proposed changes are "the most extensive since the Department of Health, Education and Welfare proposed publishing rules for the protection of human subjects involved in research on August 14, 1979." Public comments are welcomed through Sept. 26.

NSF regional grants conference in Longhorn country

NSF's next regional grants conference is scheduled for Oct. 17 and 18 at the University of Texas-Austin, home of the Longhorns.

NIH: Peer review revealed!

New videos show what really goes on at those review meetings.

NIH goes family-friendly

Taking time off for family needs? See how NIH may accommodate you.

NSF award rates

The overall award rate for proposals at NSF in FY 2010 was 23 percent. However, rates vary by directorate, from 18 percent in Engineering to 38 percent in the Office of International Science & Engineering. See the full report, National Science Foundation's Merit Review 2010, NSB 11-41, for details.

Faculty blame students for their plagiarism

In the latest installment of Tales of the NSF OIG, formally known as its Semiannual Report to Congress, the agency reports that PIs accused of plagiarism often blame their students. Read all about it on p. 25 of the full report.

Multitask: Podcast on NIH budget development

Download this podcast on developing an NIH budget and make the most of your time on the treadmill!

How many NIH grants does a PI have?

Usually just one or two. See NIH's "myth-busting" post on the topic.

NIH's shorter review cycle for newbies

NIH has posted a new timetable for its resubmission program for new investigators. The program allows these investigators to get quicker peer review feedback.

How to read an NIH funding announcement

Funding announcements contain lots of important information but can be difficult to navigate. NIH has a new podcast that walks you through the process.

Understanding NIH impact scores

Proposal reviews now include a paragraph discussing the factors that led to the overall impact score assigned to the grant. Also available is a report on the first round of surveys about the peer review process.

Reduced productivity? Discuss in NIH biosketch

PIs can now discuss issues such as family care responsibilities, illness, disability and active duty military service that may have affected their productivity.

NIH proposal just miss the payline? There's hope

A new program, Health Research Funding, attempts to connect worthwhile but unfunded projects with patient advocacy organizations and other possible sources of support.

FFATA, DUNS & FAIN revealed by NIH

Check out these FAQs for answers to your acronym questions.

NIH regional grants seminar in Arizona

April 27-29 in Scottsdale, to be precise. Click for info.

New NIH blog

The blog will provide information of interest to the extramural grant community. You can subscribe to the RSS feed or follow it on Twitter.

NIH policy on late grant submissions

The policy discusses examples of reasons that might and might not be accepted. Being very busy is not a valid reason for making a late submission.

Application tips from NIH

Yes, you really should read the 250-page application guide, and other sage advice.

New NIH podcast: Responsible conduct of research

Listen to the details while on the treadmill at the gym!

Grants.gov Contact Center closed Dec. 25 & Jan. 1

Plan accordingly.

At NIH, early stage investigators succeeding

NIH hopes to fund new investigators as the same rate it funds experienced investigators. The latest statistics indicate it's having some success.

Grants.gov takes weekend off

Grants.gov will be unavailable during a database upgrade. Check its official blog for details.

Tales of the NSF OIG

The investigations discussed in the most recent NSF OIG report indicate that the agency takes plagiarism very seriously.

Grants.gov password changes

Grants.gov has new password requirements. All passwords will expire every 90 days, in compliance with the security recommendations of NIST. Click the headline for details.

Details on NSF data management plan requirement

Plan requirements vary by directorate and sometimes by division. Check it out.

Resubmitting an NIH grant? Now hear this

NIH has a podcast ( and its transcript) providing advice on resubmitting a grant. There's some useful advice, particularly now that only one resubmission is permitted.

FYI: Simpler FOAs at NIH

NIH is transitioning to a new format for its funding announcements. The new will be "shorter, easier to read and more scientifically focused," according to the agency.

NIH self-help for grant applicants

NIH is teaching grantees to fish with its new web page of "Self-Help Resources." The latest news and FAQs are all here.

NSF has new GPG

NSF has updated its Grants Proposal Guide. One link summarizes the significant changes, which include a ban on voluntary cost-sharing. The new GPG is effective for proposals submitted on or after Jan. 18, 2011.

Citations in eRA Commons? Read this

If you have manually entered any citations into eRA Commons, you must transfer this information to a different account to retain it. Click the link for details. Act now; Oct. 22 is the deadline.

The NIH forms, they are a-changin'

Updated electronic application forms will be required for proposals submitted after May 7, 2011.

Proposed federal R&D funding for FY11 down from current year

A table of statistics is available at the link above.

A place in the sun: NIH regional seminars

NIH regional seminars on program funding and grants administration are scheduled for April in Phoenix, AZ, and June in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Space is limited. Click the link for registration details.

Don't blow off the title and abstract for your NIH grant

The title, abstract and project narrative are often viewed by Congress and members of the public who are not scientists. Make them understandable if you want the federal funds to keep flowing. Check out the NIH podcast on this topic.

Holy Toledo! It's NSF Day in Ohio

The University of Toledo will host the National Science Foundation's presentation of a one-day workshop on applying to the federal funding agency. It's scheduled for Sept. 21 at the Data Conference Center, Toledo University Health Sciences Campus. Click for details.

NSF: Report on merit review process

The National Science Board's report contains lots of interesting information, such as funding rate trends and investigator submission and funding rates. Go to the NSF publications link above and search for NSB-10-27. It's a pdf.

NSF grants conference Oct. 25-26, Salt Lake City

This will be NSF's first Regional Grants Conference of FY 11. Registration is now open; click on the headline.

NIH podcasts are here!

Multitask on that stationary bike! Download some of NIH's career development podcasts. Titles include "Grant writing for new investigators" and "Postdocs thinking about independence." There is no charge to download these episodes.

FYI: NIH FOA, etc.

What's the difference between a PAS and an FOA at NIH? Check this link, and all will be revealed.

Inside look at NIH peer review

Check out these new videos that give you the inside scoop on NIH peer review.

NIH creates grant how-to website

Check out this site for answers to basic questions as how to fill out a personal profile, how to view an award notice and how to close out a grant.

More tales of the NSF OIG

Click on "Semiannual Report March 2010." The agency is taking plagiarism very seriously.

Got an NSF grant? Prepare your data management plan

Beginning this fall, NSF will require proposals to include a two-page data management plan as a supplementary document. Click the link for details.

Got an NIH grant? Expect to be a reviewer

NIH needs qualified reviewers. If you have received a grant from the agency, it urges you to provide this service.

NIH help for writing vertebrate animal section

A new optional worksheet is available to help you prepare this portion of your proposal.

NSF RCR FAQ

In English, this is the National Science Foundation's list of frequently asked questions about its new responsible conduct of research policy. The link takes you to the NSF publications page; click on the pdf titled "Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Frequently Asked Questions."

NIH & the blizzard

NIH realizes some proposals may be submitted late due to the mid-Atlantic blizzard. Click for details.

Federal government closed due to snow

Click the headline for the latest details from the Washington Post.

NIH: Overall impact vs. significance

These are two distinct topics in NIH's new evaluation criteria. Click the headline for details.

Grants.gov unavailable Feb. 6-9

The system will undergo a major upgrade. Instead, you can watch the Boston Bruins beat the Vancouver Canucks (at least that what the hopefuls want to see). The puck drops at 1 p.m. EST.

NSF grant conference in March in Cleveland

The National Science Foundation will offer its regional grants conference March 22-23 in Cleveland, OH. The event is hosted by Case Western Reserve University. Click the headline for details.

NIH salary limit raised

Effective Jan. 1, 2010, the "Executive Level I" annual salary rate was increased to $199,700. This is the limit on the direct salary a person can receive on an NIH grant. Click the headline for details.

AHRQ application & review changes

The agency will adopt some, but not all, of the changes NIH is making. Check this announcement for details.

NIH frequently requested reports

Lots of information is available at this site. Reports cover topics such as characteristics of investigators (gender, age), awards by institute and awards by grant type.

New NIH RO1 parent announcement

It's the one you need for grants submitted on or after Jan. 25, 2010, and it's available. Click the headline.

Conflict of interest & NIH grants

Read the latest report from the HHS Office of the Inspector General (more commonly known as the OIG) about how NIH grantees manage conflict of interest. When you click the link, go to the "Grants management" section of the report list, then click on "How Grantees Manage Financial Conflicts of Interest in Research Funded by the National Institutes of Health (OEI-03-07-00700)."

"The art of obtaining grants"

An article titled "The art of obtaining grants," by E.B. Devine, was published in the March 2009 issue of The American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy 66(65), pages 580-587. The work was funded by AHRQ grant HS14739.

NIH Regional Seminar June in Portland, OR

NIH will present its seminar on program funding and grant administration June 24 and 25 in Portland, OR. An optional computer workshop is offered June 23. Click the link for details.

Tales of the NSF OIG

In the latest report from the NSF Office of the Inspector General, the agency cracks down on plagiarism in proposals. Also, a former research center employee faces prison for use of a state-issued purchase card to buy personal items. Click on the "Investigations" portion of the report.

NIH guidance on responsible conduct of research training

This notice includes information on best practices and many other useful details.

New NIH application forms available

You will need to use these for proposals due on or after Jan. 25, 2010.

NIH grant seminar April in Philadephia

The event is scheduled for April 15 and 16, with optional computer workshops April 14. Space is limited, and those interested in participating are advised to register early.

No RFP yet for NSF MRI FY10

NSF is still awaiting confirmation of funding before posting a call for proposals for a fiscal 2010 Major Research Instrumentation grant program. If funds become available, the deadline for proposals likely will be in January.

Sample of new NIH biosketch format

Click this headline for extensive information about the upcoming changes in the NIH proposal format. There is a link for a sample of the new biosketch format.

Grants.gov support available 24/7

Contact information for the Grants.gov Support Center: 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

NSF Day Dec.18 at Middle Tennessee State

Registration is required. Click the headline for details.

Grants.gov webcast Oct. 21

Keep up with technical changes at Grants.gov by watching this webcast. Click the headline for viewing instructions. Click here to watch the webcast, which is scheduled for 1 to 2 p.m. EDT.

DARPA is on Facebook

You read that right: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is on Facebook and has more than 1,700 fans. Click the headline to sign up.

New, improved links to grant-writing advice websites

The sidebar to the right contains a new, expanded list of links to grant-writing advice websites. Most, but not all, are agency-specific.

Grants.gov tutorial: Completing an application

This is one of several how-to animated tutorials available at the Grants.gov website.

NIH FAQs on ARRA: Click H-E-R-E

Questions about the unique reporting requirements? Click the headline for detailed information.

Confused about the new NIH forms? Help is available

The National Institutes of Health has released a clarification on when to use its new application package. Click the headline for details.

NIH makes life easier for grant reviewers

The National Institutes of Health extends a continuous submission process for its proposal reviewers. This gives them a chance to prepare and submit their own work for consideration.

Hawkeyes host NSF Day

The University of Iowa in Iowa City is hosting National Science Foundation Day Oct. 8. Agency officials will discuss the opportunities available as part of the state's recent designation as an Epscor state.

Got funding?

If not, and you're a graduate student doing energy-related basic research in physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computational sciences or environmental sciences, check out the U.S. Department of Energy's Graduate Fellowships.

Latest statistics on federal R&D at universities

This links to a short summary document that includes other links to detailed statistical information, including the all-important institutional rankings.

New NSF PAPP available

The Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures guide is not mere pap; rather, it's the bible for applicants for National Science Foundation grants. Check out the changes in salary reimbursement policy.

New NSF Grant proposal guide

The new GPG is serious about the inclusion of mentoring plans for postdocs. Check out the "summary of significant changes" link at the guide website.

Surf's up: NSF in Santa Cruz

Hawaiian royalty first taught mainlanders to surf in this town, and the National Science Foundation will teach new scientists how to hang ten with federal funding. NSF Day at the University of California-Santa Cruz is scheduled for Nov. 20, 2009. Click the headline for details.

NIH: The forms, they are a changin'

The paper PHS 398 and the electronic SF 424 (R&R) application packages will be updated in December and must be used with grants submitted on or after Jan 25, 2010. It's related to the new, enhanced review criteria. Click the headline for more information.

NIH AREA grant expiration date extended

The expiration date of PA-06-042 has been extended to Jan. 10, 2010. "Beginning with the October 25, 2009 receipt date, the funding limit for the AREA (R15) will be increased to a total of $300,000 direct costs plus applicable Facilities and Administrative (F&A)/ indirect costs, for up to three years," the NIH states. Click the headline for details.

NEH database of funded projects

Wondering whether the National Endowment for the Humanities has funded anything in your field? Check the database to find out.

NSF policy for responsible conduct of research (RCR)

NSF requires grant proposals to include a plan to train participants in the responsible conduct of research. Click the headline to read the announcement.

NEH grant workshop at Central Arkansas

The University of Central Arkansas Sponsored Programs Office will host a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant Workshop. The workshop, conducted by Dr. Douglas Arnold, a senior program officer with NEH, will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Workshop attendees can also have individual appointments with Dr. Arnold from 1:30 to 6 p.m.; these are available on a first come, first served basis. Three networking/discussion sessions will be offered from 1:30 to 3 p.m. for (1) research administrators, (2) public school administrators and faculty and (3) humanities faculty and administrators from universities, four-year colleges and two-year colleges. There is no fee for the workshop, but space is limited and registration is required.

• For more information, contact Beryline Temples at 501.450.3451 or email beryline@uca.edu.

• For registration, contact Kimberly Ashley-Pauley at 501.450.3451 or email kashley@uca.edu.

FederalReporting.gov open for registration

You will need to register here before submitting the quarterly reports required for Recovery Act grants. The link above takes you to NIH information for its grantees. The direct link to the website is https://www.federalreporting.gov/.

NIH Core Facilities (G20) proposal page limits

NIH has clarified language in its Recovery Act limited competition, Core Facility Renovation, Repair, and Improvement (G20) (RFA-RR-09-007) regarding page limits. Applications are limited to 20 pages of text. Click the headline to read the notice.

Grants.gov unavailable Aug. 8 and 9

Grants.gov will be unavailable this weekend (Aug. 8 and 9) while upgrades are installed. You'll have to go to the beach instead of working on your grant submission.

NIH Recovery Act reporting

Those Recovery Act dollars carry special reporting requirements. NIH provides details about those requirements at this website.

NSF Day at U. of Vermont

The National Science Foundation, Vermont Epscor, and the University of Vermont are hosting NSF Day Sept. 15 in Burlington. The session is geared for less-experienced grant seekers, but others can benefit from it. Click the headline for details.

Find Recovery Act funding

Grants.gov is sponsoring a series of four webinars to assist grant seekers in finding funding opportunities supported by the Recovery Act. Session titles are:

Grants.gov and FedBizOpps: Finding Recovery Act Opportunities

Introduction to Grants.gov and the Recovery Act

Finding Recovery Act Opportunities

Registration to Submit Recovery Act Opportunities.

Click on the headline for details.

GAO releases report on Grants.gov

No surprises here for anyone who uses Grants.gov. GAO recommendations include a government-wide definition of what constitutes a timely submission and the formation of an "applicant user group" through which government would get input from grantees. The Maven wonders how relevant this all is, given the current proliferation of alternative grant submission systems. BTW, GAO is on YouTube.