NCRR Functional Statements

National Center for Research Resources (HNR). Administers, fosters, and supports research for the development and support of multi-categorical research resources needed on an institutional, regional, national, or international basis for health-related research. Programs are carried out through: (a) research grants, research and development contracts, and individual and institutional research training awards; (b) cooperation and collaboration with organizations and institutions engaged in multi-categorical research resources activities; and (c) collection and dissemination of information on research and findings in these areas.

Office of the Director (HNR1). (1) Plans, directs, coordinates, analyzes, and evaluates the programs and activities of the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR); (2) collaborates with the categorical Institutes in the identification of research resources required by ongoing activities and planned new directions relating to the overall NIH mission; (3) maintains requisite liaison with official, voluntary, and private organizations, and groups throughout the Nation; (4) develops and conducts a program to interpret and disseminate to the Congress, the biomedical community, and to specialized groups the findings of research supported by NCRR; and (5) provides staff support to the National Advisory Research Resources Council, and oversight of the initial scientific merit review of grant applications and contract proposals by NCRR initial review groups.

Office of Administrative Management (HNR18). (1) Plans, implements, and evaluates administrative and management services, and provides support to the programs and activities of the Center; (2) provides budgetary support for the formulation, presentation, and execution of the Center's budget; (3) provides human resources advice and management analysis services; (4) plans, develops, and operates the Information Technology services and systems for the NCRR; (5) maintains liaison with the Office of Administration, NIH; (6) develops, analyzes, and implements new/revised administrative policies, procedures, and regulations affecting the overall mission of the Center; (7) reviews and evaluates administrative procedures to ensure efficient workflow and minimize waste, fraud, and abuse; and (8) represents Center at NIH-wide administrative meetings and NIH Executive Officers' meetings.

Financial Management Office (HNR185). (1) Plans, evaluates, and executes all aspects of the Center's financial management services; (2) formulates, presents, and executes budget; (3) advises the Director, Executive Officer, and senior staff on financial management matters; and (4) maintains liaison with the NIH Office of Financial Management, and ensures compliance with all instructions and policies related to financial management.

Administrative Office (HNR184). (1) Plans, provides, and evaluates a wide range of administrative and management support services, including procurement, space planning, facility management, timekeeping, property management, travel management, personnel, administrative services, and mail management; (2) advises staff of the Office of the Director and other key officials of administrative policies and practices; (3) develops, analyzes, and implements new or modified administrative policies and procedures; (4) maintains the NCRR Policy and Procedures System; (5) represents the Center on NIH-wide committees and focus groups concerned with administrative operations and processes; and (6) manages administrative information systems.

Information Technologies Office (HNR183). (1) Plans, develops, maintains, and operates systems for collecting, processing, and retrieving electronic information relating to all aspects of Center programs; (2) provides advisory staff services to the Director, Deputy Director, Office and Area Directors, and their staffs regarding information management issues and systems; (3) provides mainframe, personal computing, and local area network software and equipment support to Center staff; (4) collaborates with staff of other NIH Institutes and Centers in information management projects of mutual interest, and represents the Center on various NIH committees and work groups concerned with information resource management; and (5) provides a variety of personal computer training and consultation to Center staff.

Office of Science Policy and Public Liaison (HNR19). (1) Advises the Director of the National Center for Research Resources on policy matters, scientific developments, and other relevant issues that may affect NCRR programs and initiatives; (2) assists in the establishment of NCRR objectives and in the development or modification of programs to meet these objectives; (3) evaluates the performance and impact of NCRR programs and related PHS programs and activities; (4) acquires data and performs analyses for use in NCRR planning and development; (5) coordinates the presentation of the Center's plans and reports; (6) conducts the Center's legislative liaison activities; (7) serves as a clearinghouse and focal point for the Center's efforts to interpret the goals and results of NCRR-supported research programs and projects and to disseminate information to the biomedical research community, to Congress and the Executive Branch, to other specialized groups, and to the general public; (8) serves as the primary liaison or ombudsman with the local community and the general public for sharing mission-related information and effectively communicating NCRR plans, accomplishments, and activities; and (9) conducts the Center's Freedom of Information and Privacy Act activities.

Office of Extramural Activities (HNR17). (1) Provides oversight and direction for the review of grant applications and contract proposals; (2) manages the National Advisory Research Resources Council and other advisory and review committees; and (3) provides oversight and direction for the grants management functions of the NCRR.

Committee Management Office (HNR172). Coordinates and administers the National Advisory Research Resources Council and other advisory and review committees.

Office of Review (HNR173). (1) Provides policy, direction, and coordination for the planning and execution of initial scientific and technical review conducted within the Center, involving applications for grant and contract research; (2) supervises and manages three NCRR review committees (Initial Review Group with three subcommittees; Scientific and Technical Review Board on Biomedical and Behavioral Research Facilities; and Special Emphasis Panel); (3) coordinates the identification and selection of qualified experts to serve on review committees, and assists with the review of grant applications and contract proposals as required; (4) serves as information and coordination center for all grant applications and contract proposals pending review by the unit; (5) supervises scientific review administrators for the initial scientific review of grant proposals reviewed within NCRR; (6) coordinates scientific review activities with staff of NCRR programs and the Center for Scientific Review, NIH; and (7) maintains uniform policies and procedures governing technical review of grant applications and contract proposals within NCRR.

Office of Grants Management (HNR174). (1) Collaborates in the formulation of Center and NIH policies and procedures relating to the management of grant programs; (2) interprets and applies Center and NIH policies and procedures relating to the business management of grants; (3) provides administrative and financial review of grant applications, and collaborates with program directors in grants negotiation, award, and administration; (4) provides administrative and technical support in developing, executing, and monitoring grant programs; and (5) maintains liaison with grants management staff in other Institutes, with central OD/NIH offices, and grantees.

Division for Biomedical Technology Research and Research Resources (HNRC). (1) Supports research, development, and access to sophisticated technologies at biomedical technology resource centers; (2) provides grants for acquisition of new state-of-the-art shared instrumentation; and (3) supports special emphasis technology development in high-performance computing, molecular and cellular structural biology technologies, biomedical engineering, noninvasive imaging and spectroscopy, mathematical modeling, and computer simulations through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.

Division for Clinical Research Resources (HNRB). (1) Supports a national network of clinical research centers in academic medical hospitals for interdisciplinary clinical research into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, providing cost-effective, centralized access to research facilities, specially trained research nurses and dieticians, core laboratories, biostatisticians, and computerized database management and analysis systems; (2) supports professional career development of physicians and dentists involved in clinical research; (3) supports science education opportunities for disadvantaged high school students—and their teachers—who are interested in science careers; and (4) supports other shared resources for clinical research.

Division of Comparative Medicine (HNR8). (1) Provides high-quality, disease-free animal models and specialized animal research facilities for biomedical investigators; (2) supports the development of a wide range of research models, particularly marine invertebrates and lower vertebrates; (3) provides access for biomedical researchers to an array of important biological materials, some microbial strains, as well as cell lines and genetic material; (4) supports research activities at eight National Primate Research Centers; (5) develops and implements policies and provides programmatic oversight for the NIH Chimpanzee Management Program (ChiMP); (6) provides a chimpanzee sanctuary for the lifetime care of research chimpanzees that are no longer needed for biomedical research; (7) supports the identification and development of new and improved animal models for the study of human diseases; (8) supports improvement of the health and well-being of laboratory animals; (9) supports training and career development for veterinarians; (10) provides repositories for the storage and distribution of genetically altered animal models; and (11) supports the breeding of and accessibility to scarce research animals.

Division of Research Infrastructure (HNRL). (1) Supports programs to expand the Nation's capacity for the conduct of biomedical research by improving the research infrastructure at minority institutions that award doctoral degrees in the health sciences; (2) increases the competitiveness of faculty at institutions from states with limited NIH research support; and (3) provides matching grants to improve biomedical and behavioral research facilities through construction and renovation.