Board Members Present:

Dr. Wafaie Fawzi
Dr. Yvonne T. Maddox (ex officio)
Dr. Lee W. Riley
Dr. Stephen E. Straus (ex officio)
Dr. Jean A. Wright
Dr. May L. Wykle

Board Members Absent:

Dr. Dikembe Mutombo (appointment pending)
Dr. Sharon L. Ramey
Dr. Robert R. Redfield
Dr. Burton H. Singer
 

[1] Members absent themselves from the meeting when the Board discusses applications from their own institutions or when a conflict of interest might occur.  The procedure applies only to individual applications discussed, not to en bloc actions.

Members of the Public Present:

Dr. Louis T. Kanda, Dikembe Mutombo Foundation and Georgetown University
Dr. Sara Robinson, American Psychological Association
Dr. Torsten N. Wiesel, Rockefeller University 

Federal Employees Present:

OPEN PORTION OF THE MEETING

I. CALL TO ORDER

Dr. Sharon Hrynkow called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.  She noted that the process for approving new Board members continues and that FIC anticipates having a full complement of 13 Board members by the Board's May 2004 meeting.

Currently, the Board consists of seven members, four of whom were attending the present meeting as new Board members.  Dr. Hrynkow introduced and welcomed the four new members:  Dr. Wafaie Fawzi, Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Dr. Lee W. Riley, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley; Dr. Jean A Wright, Backus Children's Hospital, Memorial Health University Medical Center, Savannah, Georgia; and Dr. May L. Wykle, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western University, Cleveland, Ohio.

Dr. Hrynkow noted with sadness the death of two Board members:  Dr. Robert E. Shope, an internationally renowned arborvirologist, from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, and Dr. Theodore Reich, a pioneer in psychiatric genetics, from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.  Dr. Shope was a current Board member and had previously served two terms on the Board in the 1980s.  Dr. Reich's term on the Board had recently expired in January 2004.

Dr. Hrynkow introduced the following two guests:  Dr. Torsten N. Wiesel, Professor Emeritus, Rockefeller University, New York, New York; and Dr. Louis Kanda, Cardiologist, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. and Board Member, Dikembe Mutombo Foundation.  She also welcomed several NIH staff members: Dr. Lois K. Cohen, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; Dr. Ruth Johnsson Hegyeli, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Dr. Karen Babich, National Institute of Mental Health; Dr. Mike Hollingdale, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); and Dr. Yuan Liu, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke.

II. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the Advisory Board meeting of September 16, 2003, were considered and accepted unanimously.

III. REVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST PROCEDURES

The rules and regulations pertaining to conflict of interest were maintained.

IV. FUTURE MEETING DATES

The following meeting dates were confirmed:

                        Tuesday, May 18, 2004
                        Tuesday, September 14, 2004

                        Tuesday, February 8, 2005
                        Tuesday, May 24, 2005
                        Tuesday, September 13, 2005

All subcommittees of the Board will meet on the Monday preceding each Board meeting. Dr. Hrynkow invited the Board members to join the Research Awards Subcommittee.

V. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR

Dr. Hrynkow reported on recent personnel changes, new initiatives, regional activities, and other activities at FIC.  She asked staff to elaborate on the budget and certain items.  The written Report of the Director, which was mailed to Board members, is appended to these minutes as Attachment 2, Written Report of the Director.

Personnel Changes

Dr. Hrynkow reported that the most critical change at FIC is the departure of Dr. Gerald Keusch as Director, FIC.  She noted that Dr. Keusch has been instrumental in FIC's dramatic growth and evolution over the past 5 years and is sorely missed.  He left NIH at the end of December to become Assistant Provost for Global Health, Boston University Medical Campus, and Associate Dean for Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health.  Dr. Hrynkow noted that, as Acting Director, she will continue to move FIC forward with the support of the staff, Board, NIH Director, and others at NIH.

Mr. Richard Millstein joined FIC in January 2004 as Acting Deputy Director.  Previously serving as Deputy Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Mr. Millstein has knowledge and insight that has already been helpful in assuring a smooth transition at FIC. 

Dr. Allen Holt, Program Officer for the Far East, Division of International Relations (DIR), FIC, retired from Government service on October 31.  Dr. Luis Salicrup, Program Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, left FIC to join the Office of Technology Transfer, Office of the Director, NIH.  Dr. Hrynkow noted that FIC is recruiting individuals for both of these critical FIC positions.

  FIC Budget

Mr. Richard Miller, Executive Officer, FIC, presented an update on the budget for fiscal year (FY) 2004 and 2005.  The President signed the FY 2004 budget on January 23 and presented his budget for FY 2005 to the Congress on February 2.  For FY 2004, the total increase for the NIH is approximately 3 percent.  If the significant appropriation for buildings and facilities in FY 2003 is excluded, the increase for FY 2004 amounts to slightly more than 5 percent.  The increase for FY 2005 in the President’s Budget is approximately 2.5 percent over FY 2004. 

For FIC, the appropriation for FY 2004 is slightly more than $65 million, and the President’s Budget proposes about $67 million for FY 2005.  The percentage increases are slightly more than 5 percent for FY 2004 and slightly less than 3 percent for FY 2005.  Mr. Miller noted that the largest increases at the NIH for FY 2004 and FY 2005 are for NIAID, principally for biodefense programs, and the Office of the Director, NIH, for the Roadmap initiative.  The total appropriation for the NIH Roadmap is approximately $128 million in FY 2004 and $237 million in FY 2005.  Part of these funds are appropriated directly to the Office of the Director, NIH, and the remaining funds are distributed to the institutes and centers (ICs). 

The FIC budget for FY 2004 will include support for the following new initiatives: the full International Clinical, Operational, and Health Services Research Training Award focused on HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (ICOHRTA-AIDS/TB); the Glue Grant program to bring together scientists and programs within various countries; and the Fogarty–Ellison International Clinical Research Training Program for U.S. and Developing Country Students in the Health Sciences.  In FY 2005, FIC anticipates initiating a new program in trauma and injury. 

Between FY 1998 and FY 2003, the 5-year doubling of the NIH budget, FIC’s appropriation more than doubled, from approximately $28 million to approximately $62 million.  During this time, ICs’ cofunding of FIC initiatives also increased, from approximately $10 million to approximately $25 million.  Mr. Miller noted that FIC emphasizes strategic relationships with other ICs and anticipates that the level of cofunding will remain stable or even increase with new and expanding programs.  FIC also will continue its outreach and seek partnerships with organizations beyond NIH. 

Dr. Hrynkow commented that the amount of cofunding which FIC receives every year, primarily from other ICs, is striking, and she cautioned that these funds may be “somewhat vulnerable” as ICs experience a time of low budget growth.  She noted that FIC and its IC partners will be carefully considering each collaboration, and she invited the Board’s input on how FIC can maintain a strong level of partnerships with other ICs and agencies. 

  New Initiatives

Trauma and Injury—In Development.  Dr. Hrynkow noted that FIC plans to launch a new research training program in trauma and injury to address the growing burden of morbidity and mortality from trauma and injury in developing countries.  FIC hopes to launch the program in conjunction with World Health Day on April 7, 2004, which will focus on road traffic injuries.  In June 2003, FIC convened a group of U.S. and international experts to discuss research and training opportunities in this area.  Currently, FIC is discussing this program with other ICs and determining levels of interest in co-sponsoring the program.  Several organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have already expressed interest.  FIC anticipates that awards will begin in FY 2005.  Dr. Hrynkow invited the Board’s comments and suggestions on shaping the program.

In discussion, the Board noted that many private organizations, as well as the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, are supporting programs in burn injury and wound healing.  The Board encouraged FIC to identify leading specialists in burns and wounds involved in these efforts and to convene them to address how researchers from developed and developing countries could work together.  Dr. Hrynkow invited the Board to suggest experts and areas that FIC should pursue.  She noted that rehabilitation research, including development of low-cost prosthetics, would be of great interest and directly applicable to the U.S. population as well.

FIC Strategic Planning.  At the Board meeting in September 2003, Mr. Robert Eiss, Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives, FIC, presented an approach for FIC’s development of a strategic plan for the next 5 years.  In December 2003, FIC convened a group of outside experts, including FIC grantees, to continue the discussion of FIC’s strategic directions.  Dr. Hrynkow noted that the participants vigorously discussed some of the themes presented at FIC’s 35^th Anniversary Symposium in May 2003.  One main topic was how to link undergraduate education in the United States with the broader global health agenda (i.e., could undergraduate students be an “engine” for raising the visibility of global health in the United States and at U.S. universities in particular?).  Dr. Hrynkow noted that FIC will continue discussions with outside groups and the ICs in the interest of developing strategic ways forward in FY 2004

Colloquium on Career Paths for Women in the Life Sciences: A Global Perspective.  On October 15-16, 2003, FIC convened this colloquium in collaboration with the Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH.  The purpose was to explore best practices for recruiting, retaining, and promoting women in the life sciences in developed countries and, particularly, developing countries and to consider ways forward.  

Board member Dr. Yvonne Maddox reported on the recommendations and summary items from this important workshop.  She noted that although the colloquium followed a number of workshops that have been held over the years to address opportunities for women in science, it was unique and different in many ways.  For example: the colloquium was attended by more than 70 women and men from around the world; the participants had leadership roles in their countries, but many had started their careers at “the ground level” of biomedical and behavioral research; and recognition of the accomplishments that women have already made to the biomedical research enterprise was an important component.  

Dr. Maddox noted that the co-sponsors asked the participants to focus on three issues: to identify challenges for women in science; to examine how groups, communities, and countries have overcome these challenges; and to make recommendations on new approaches and programs for enhancing the opportunities for women at national, local, and individual levels.  The highlights of the meeting included opening remarks given by Dr. Zerhouni, who emphasized the importance of educating the political leadership about the needs of science and the contributions of women in science, and presentations by other speakers, who addressed the “superstructure” in science and the need to welcome all approaches and disciplines into the research enterprise.  

From the presentations and discussions, seven themes emerged.  The participants highlighted the need for: (i) world data on women’s positions in research and science, consolidated by country; (ii) promotion and selling of a “women in science” agenda; (iii) increased opportunities for professional growth (e.g., networking, mentoring, collaborations), including incentives and rewards for these activities; (iv) recognition and acceptance of women’s competing responsibilities (e.g., parenting), including additional salary or fellowships for women with children; (v) promotion and rewarding of gender equality and collaboration in research laboratories; (vi) unbiased standards for evaluation and promotion (e.g., number of students mentored, rather than number of publications or grants received); and (vii) highlighting women’s strengths in science (e.g., through the media).  The participants concluded that examination and assurance of gender equity is an enterprise-wide effort that demands the involvement of both men and women in encouraging each other to enhance science and research. 

Dr. Maddox highlighted several significant outcomes that have occurred since the workshop.  These include smaller meetings to brainstorm creative ways for bringing women into science; the planning of a workshop at the NIH organized by the Office of AIDS Research, NIH, for women scientists from India; consideration of a program to extend opportunities for women scientists from other countries to spend time in U.S. laboratories to foster research collaborations; and the convening of a workshop on infrastructure needs and how the NIH and U.S. research community can enhance research in developing countries.

Dr. Hrynkow thanked Dr. Maddox for presenting an excellent summary.  She commented that the topic of women in science will continue to be important for FIC.  Dr. Maddox noted that other efforts, including a task force at the NIH, are continuing to address the opportunities for women in science.  Dr. Hrynkow said that FIC will widely distribute the final report of the colloquium, to spark discussions and ideas, and will post it on the FIC Web site and use it as an outreach tool.  She invited the Board’s suggestions on how to disseminate it most broadly.  Dr. Maddox encouraged FIC to post separately on its Web site the compendium of programs ongoing around the world to enhance opportunities in the sciences, which is in an appendix to the report.

Science Writing Workshop for Latin American Journalists.  Dr. Karen Hofman, Director, Division of Advanced Studies and Policy Analysis, FIC, presented an update on this successful, interactive workshop, held at the Stone House in October 2003.  Besides FIC, the partners were the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and NIEHS, as co-sponsors, and the International Center for Foreign Journalists, a nonprofit organization located in Washington, D.C.  The 25 participants included 15 journalists from Latin America and 10 journalists from U.S. Latino media outlets. The 5-day workshop focused on biologic and public health issues related to AIDS, environmental health, and tobacco and cancer.  Dr. Hofman noted that, in their evaluation comments, the participants have called for additional workshops to be held regionally, as well as at the NIH.  FIC would be interested in partnering with other ICs in the future and on other topics.

Meeting of Medical Journals Editors.  Dr. Hofman noted that local medical journals in developing countries have an important role in disseminating research information to local health care practitioners, including nurses, and policymakers.  In addition, the major international journals could publish more reports on research and health in the developing world and could include scientists from developing countries on their editorial boards.  Following on two meetings, in September and January 2003, FIC has collaborated with other NIH components to create partnerships between medical journal editors in the West and in Africa.  A key participant is the National Library of Medicine. The African journals are based in four countries where NIH has significant investments (Uganda, Mali, Ghana, and Malawi), and two of the journals are indexed in Index Medicus.  The western journals are the Lancet, British Medical Journal, Journal of the American Medical Association, American Journal of Public Health, and Environmental Health Perspectives.  The partnerships will focus on mentoring and include opportunities for publishing editorials and articles in each other’s journals.  The Council of Science Editors, located in Virginia, will act as secretariat under contract with FIC. 

  Regional Activities 

The Americas.  In 2003, NIH signed an agreement with Mexico’s National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) to collaborate in the funding of eligible Mexican scientists who participate in specific FIC research and training programs.  Dr. Hrynkow noted that FIC is very pleased with this arrangement and is monitoring it closely to ensure its success.  FIC is considering the possibility of replicating this pilot effort with other governments and in collaboration with other ICs. 

In October 2003, Dr. Zerhouni hosted the Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the scientific directors of each CIHR institute for 2 days of meetings, briefings, and consultations with the NIH leadership.  They focused specific discussions on three topics (global health, health services, and stem cell research) to identify potential areas of collaboration between the two funding agencies.

Central Asia.  In April 2004, FIC will host a scientific conference on “Children’s Environmental Health in Central Asia and the Middle East” in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.  An FIC grantee in the International Training and Research on Environmental and Occupational Health program is coordinating NIH participation in the conference, and other organizations are providing additional support.  Ms. Natalie Tomitch, Program Officer for Russia and the Newly Independent States and for Central and Eastern Europe, DIR, is the FIC contact and is exploring opportunities for collaboration in this part of the world.

  Other Activities 

Science Day for Diplomats.  In spring 2004, FIC will host a science day for the diplomatic community in the Washington, D.C., area.  The aim is to acquaint foreign ambassadors with the NIH and to improve dialogue with governments that have significant representation in Washington, D.C.  Ms. Minnie Rojo, Director, DIR, is the FIC contact. 

Two Reports on Global Health.  Dr. Hrynkow noted that FIC has a leadership role in the development of two reports on global health.  For the WHO report entitled Knowledge for Better Health, Mr. Eiss is working with WHO staff to identify research gaps which, if properly addressed, would help to improve the five health goals included in the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  The report also will focus on the translation of research into policy.  The WHO will provide an annotated outline of the report on its Web site on February 15, 2004, and will publish the final report in late summer–early fall 2004.  Mr. Eiss is coordinating input from NIH and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the report, which will be used as background information for a meeting of ministers of health, in Mexico City, in November 2004.  Dr. Hrynkow invited the Board to provide input for the report.

Late in January 2004, the U.S. Surgeon General initiated preparation of a Surgeon General’s Report on Global Health.  FIC is coordinating the NIH effort and will collaborate with Dr. Zerhouni and the ICs in emphasizing scientific research and training as the underpinning for global health.  Dr. Hrynkow welcomed the Board’s input as the report unfolds.

  Discussion

Informing Local Leaderships.  In response to a comment about the need to inform and educate local leaders about the health needs in their own countries, Dr. Hrynkow noted that many of the scientists and health professionals in developing countries who have received training in FIC’s programs have become political leaders in their countries (e.g., Uganda, Malawi).  She agreed that local leaders need to hear from local experts and that FIC has a role in helping to provide the evidence-based knowledge that can inform policymakers.  

   Dr. Hrynkow noted that FIC’s new glue grants program includes support for a pilot effort to create alumni associations of NIH-trained individuals in four countries—Brazil, India, Mexico, and South Africa.  These associations would provide a support network for researchers who have received training at the NIH and through FIC programs.  They could exchange information and experiences, share technologies, and be “a voice” for scientific research in their own countries.  In-country institutions would contribute to the support of the associations, which would ultimately become independent of NIH funding.

VI. PERSPECTIVES FROM THE NIH DIRECTOR

Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, Director, NIH, spoke about the importance of FIC to the NIH.  He especially thanked the Board members for their service and welcomed the new Board members.  Dr. Zerhouni noted that the NIH gains advice, wisdom, and support from more than 21,000 individuals in the extramural community who serve on NIH peer review boards, advisory councils and boards, and boards of counselors.  He remarked that the NIH is probably the one Federal agency that relies most on the open advice of numerous, diverse individuals and that these individuals help NIH set its research agendas and priorities.

Dr. Zerhouni emphasized that although the FIC is small, in terms of budget, compared with the entire NIH, it is not small in terms of impact and importance strategically for NIH programs and for the United States’ international and global health agendas.  Speaking from a personal sensitivity of having been born in the developing world and having immigrated to the United States, he noted that the world is changing dramatically and that these changes are affecting health, education, science, and research.  Some regions have made tremendous progress with the accumulation of scientific and human capital and political leadership, whereas others are suffering from a “cognitive dissonance” arising from loss of capital, population shifts, and changing relationships between environments and humans.  These changes are evident in the context of emerging and reemerging infections and disparities of health and human capital. 

Dr. Zerhouni noted that the FIC’s ability to respond to the transitional shifts occurring in global health makes it a critical component of the NIH.  He complimented Dr. Hrynkow for keeping the FIC moving in directions that are responsive to these shifts while serving as Acting Director and previously as Deputy Director, FIC.  He encouraged the Board to continue to help NIH to understand these trends and to utilize new approaches and strategies to meet new priorities. 

Dr. Zerhouni noted that, in many ways, FIC serves as the “Department of State” for the NIH.  He also noted the need to crystallize and enhance FIC’s role and strategies to make them more transparent.  The demand for NIH leadership in international health and research is daunting, because of the scope of the problems, and the FIC will need to review its portfolio and priorities to identify areas of focus.  The challenge for FIC and the Board in the future is to find a balance between the breadth of activities and the achievements possible, with the aim of supporting those activities that have the greatest potential impact.

Dr. Zerhouni remarked on FIC’s substantial impact in developing talent worldwide.  On a December 2003 trip to Africa with the Secretary, DHHS, he noted that 410 public health experts working in the Rakai Project, Uganda, had been trained in FIC programs.  A key emphasis for FIC will be how to continue to create and promote local leadership in countries to support effective programs.  The FIC has made lasting contributions in building this leadership, and these efforts need to be analyzed fully and understood in the context of ongoing global changes.

Dr. Zerhouni said that he is extremely supportive of FIC and, at the same time, sensitive to the need to engage in partnership with other entities to enhance and synergize all discoveries and advances in biomedical research and to ensure that they are applied to the scientific Grand Challenges in Global Health.  Dr. Zerhouni is a member of the Scientific Board guiding the Grand Challenges initiative which was launched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in January 2003.  Dr. Harold Varmus, former director, NIH, chairs the Scientific Board’s Executive Committee.  Dr. Zerhouni noted that the ability to use programs such as this to stimulate the generation of new talent in global health is key and that the yardstick of success will be maintaining the intellectual commitment to such efforts.  

For FIC, the question is how to leverage its expertise and reputation in the larger arena and to ensure that these are not diluted in a way that would reduce FIC’s effectiveness.  Dr. Zerhouni called on the Board to help guide FIC’s decisions and strategies for the future.  In closing, he thanked Dr. Hrynkow for serving as Acting Director and said that the NIH is launching an active search for a new director to engage in FIC’s next period of life.

  Discussion

The Board commented that another issue for FIC, in addition to leveraging its resources, is to continue its tremendous effectiveness in helping other ICs, particularly smaller ICs, to leverage their resources internationally.  Dr. Zerhouni agreed that FIC’s expertise in navigating the complicated political and scientific terrains internationally enables other ICs to spend their resources wisely and effectively in research and research training programs around the world.  Every IC has an international dimension, and FIC complements this in many ways. 

In response to a comment, Dr. Zerhouni agreed on the need for sustained, long-term support of basic research and for a multidimensional view of the science and research needs across countries.  He noted that the trajectory of scientific development in any nation has not been studied adequately.  Enhancing the scientific and political leadership may be a goal for many countries, and the creation of a connected network of world-class science institutions such as the U.S. National Academy of Science can be a driving force for basic science and for developing the human infrastructure.

VII.  INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR SCIENTIFIC INTERACTION AND TRAINING

Dr. Torsten N. Wiesel, Professor Emeritus, Rockefeller University, described four international efforts in scientific interaction and training in which he has been involved.  The recipient of a Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, Dr. Wiesel has a longstanding interest in capacity building in the developing world.  He has supported FIC’s efforts over the years and, in particular, has helped to shape FIC’s Collaborative Research Program for Brain Disorders in the Developing World.  Dr. Wiesel described the Pew Fellows program, Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), and a recent workshop on promoting life sciences in the developing world.  

Pew Fellows

Dr. Wiesel noted that, in the early 1990s, the Pew Charitable Trust designed with his advice the Pew Fellows program to support postdoctoral training in the United States for doctoral students from four countries in Latin America (Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Venezuela) and from Central America.  In this very successful 12-year program, 10 participants have been chosen each year from among candidates selected by local in-country committees.  Each participant receives a $25,000 stipend for training in a U.S. laboratory and a $35,000 grant for purchasing research equipment for their return home.  

Dr. Wiesel noted that the Pew fellows have a very good background and basic knowledge in many fields and that, after their return home, some have received support subsequently as investigators of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.  Approximately 80 percent of the participants have returned to their home countries and established successful research careers, and the fellows have established networks locally and in Latin America.  Dr. Wiesel noted that the program has helped to rejuvenate the frontiers of science in Latin America and has shown that even small programs can be influential.  A major problem is the lack of resources to support young investigators, and there is an urgent need in some countries (e.g., Argentina and in Central America) for additional grant support to maintain their research. . 

HFSP

Dr. Wiesel noted that the HFSP will celebrate its 15^th anniversary this spring.  Initiated by Japan, the program includes as members the G-7 countries, Switzerland, and the European Union.  Japan continues to provide more than 50 percent of the $50 million allocated each year for awards.  Dr. Wiesel outlined the organization of the HFSP committees and suggested that it is a model for developing an international science program.

The aim of HFSP is to support multidisciplinary intercontinental research teams focused on problems in the life sciences and complex systems.  Dr. Wiesel noted that this aim has not always been fulfilled.  Since becoming Secretary General of the HFSP in 2000, he has refocused the program on “high-risk” projects at the frontiers of science and increased collaboration across disciplines (e.g., physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics) to address a single theme—complex mechanisms of living organisms.  To attract researchers, HFSP has doubled the annual funding to $500,000 for research teams consisting of up to four scientists.  Dr. Wiesel noted that the standards are high (HFSP has provided support over the years to nine Nobel Prize laureates) and that the program is very effective.  

HFSP supports 3-year research grants, 3-year fellowships, and 2- to 3-year career development awards.  In a recently created young investigator program, applicants compete for awards among each other, separately from senior investigators.  Dr. Wiesel commented on the problem of increased stipend support vs. fewer awards.  Currently, HFSP receives approximately 700 research grant applications each year, of which it funds 30-35 awards, for a success rate of about 5 percent.  

With regard to fellowships, HFSP has increased its stipends and duration of awards, but reduced the number of awards.  In 2004, HFSP will award approximately 80 fellowships (about half the number previously funded) at approximately $41,000 each for 3, rather than 2, years.  The success rate for fellowships is about 12 percent, compared with about 24 percent previously.  The emphasis is on supporting the best scientists with sufficient resources and encouraging fellows to broaden their research experience by receiving training in new disciplines relevant to their research interests. 

To facilitate the return to home country and avoid “brain drain,” HFSP now allows fellows to spend the third year in their home country. In addition, beginning last year, HFSP fellows can apply for subsequent career development awards.  Each award provides a total of $180,000 for 2-3 years of research support in a scientist’s home country.  Dr. Wiesel noted that HFSP aims to fund approximately 40 percent of returning fellows.  He also noted that, by combining a fellowship, career development award, and subsequent young investigator research grant, a young scientist could receive up to 10 years of funding from HFSP.  In addition to this support, HFSP provides “glue” for its grantees by hosting an annual meeting of awardees and by convening working meetings on special issues (e.g., international training and support of young investigators, promoting life sciences in developing countries).

Summarizing HFSP data, Dr. Wiesel reported that 496 HFSP grants (83 percent of the total) have involved scientists in the United States and that 762 U.S. scientists (32 percent of the total) have received HFSP funding.  Among the 2004 research grants, U.S. researchers received 38 percent of the young investigator awards and 39 percent of the research grants.  Commenting on the increase in interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Wiesel noted that approximately 20 percent of the awardees in 2004 were from disciplines other than biology, up from less than 5 percent in 2001.

Over the past 13 years (1990-2003), HFSP has received applications for fellowships from researchers in 91 countries and awarded fellowships to researchers from 59 countries.  Dr. Wiesel noted that applicants may be from any country, but must receive their training in an HFSP-member country.  HFSP has awarded a total of 1,814 fellowships; only 99 (5 percent of the total) were awarded to U.S. researchers, and 1,176 fellows (65 percent of the total) came from other countries to the United States for training. 

Dr. Wiesel commented on the problem of attracting young U.S. scientists to a research experience abroad.  Two efforts to increase this participation are HFSP’s modification of the fellowship program (to allow fellows to return to their home country for the third year) and the career development award.  Dr. Wiesel noted that U.S. laboratories are “a training ground” for scientists from the rest of the world and that this influx of foreign talent is important to U.S. science.  In this regard, he noted that the percentage of fellows wanting to come to U.S. laboratories has decreased since 2001, from 67 percent to 55 percent—a sharp decline that may be of some concern. 

fellows from countries in Latin America and other developing regions.  Dr. Wiesel emphasized the need to increase the percentage of fellows returning to these regions, and he applauded FIC’s efforts in creating possibilities for foreign scientists to return to and stay in their home countries.  He welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with FIC and other organizations to increase repatriation of fellows from developing countries.

Dr. Wiesel also commented on the returns to the countries contributing to the HFSP.  He noted that the United States, which contributes 10 percent of the funds, receives the most awards in return, whereas Japan, which has consistently been the main contributor, receives very few awards.

IBRO

Dr. Wiesel said that IBRO was created after World War II through the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) initially to support the training of young investigators in the developing world in neuroscience.  More than 60 countries are represented on the governing council, and IBRO has approximately 70,000 members.  Six years ago, when Dr. Wiesel became president of the organization, IBRO created regional committees worldwide to increase participation.  The chair of each regional committee is a member of the executive committee which meets annually at IBRO’s headquarters in Paris, France.  IBRO owns and publishes the journal Neuroscience, which generates approximately $1.5 million annually.  Besides supporting a low-cost secretariat, the funds are distributed to each region ($100,000 per year) for local activities (e.g., schools, student travel) to bring together, or “glue,” neuroscientists in the region.  Each year, a different region hosts a large regional meeting attended by scientists worldwide.

Dr. Wiesel noted that a hallmark of IBRO is its high-quality and successful summer schools held in Africa, Eastern Europe, the Far East, and Latin America.  In addition, IBRO has received funding from the Grass Foundation to support short (1- to 2-week) courses in neuroscience given by prominent scientists in developing countries (e.g., Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka).  Dr. Wiesel remarked that even limited efforts such as these have been constructive in developing the science capacity in a region.

Promoting Life Sciences in Developing Countries

In November 2003, the HFSP sponsored a workshop entitled “Promoting Life Sciences in Developing Countries,” in Trieste, Italy, in collaboration with the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), Wellcome Trust, and Third World Academy of Sciences.  The participants, who represented a broad range of public and private funders of research around the world, met to consider ways to create support and sustainability for basic science in the developing world.  

Dr. Wiesel emphasized the importance of education in science for students in developing as well as developed countries, regardless of the students’ eventual profession, and the need for countries to have a good core structure for promoting understanding of the basic mechanisms in science—which underpins all research and health programs.  Creation of an international science foundation, similar to the National Science Foundation in the United States, could provide such support and sustainability for the developing world.  

The participants at the workshop decided to organize an informal group to coordinate their interests and to maintain contact.  A report of the workshop is being prepared. 

Discussion

Reentry of Scientists to Home Countries.  Dr. Hrynkow noted that the organizations share similar concerns about the reentry of foreign scientists to developing countries after they receive training in developed countries.  The FIC has initiated the Global Health Research Initiative Program for New Foreign Investigators (GRIP) to support reentry grants, but larger infrastructure questions remain which small training programs such as GRIP cannot address.  Dr. Wiesel suggested that the governments and leaders of developing countries should be challenged to contribute more resources for science and health in their countries.  He also suggested that the FIC, HSFP, Wellcome Trust, and other organizations could organize to interact and discuss this issue with the leadership of developing countries.  

The Board suggested that (a) governments are more willing to provide support for investigators returning to their countries if the investigators’ research is relevant to the needs of the country (e.g., infectious disease in Brazil) and (b) a focus on specific research problems can “trigger” governments’ interest in supporting basic science.  Dr. Wiesel emphasized the need to increase governments’ understanding of the importance of education and knowledge in the basic sciences, to enable their citizens to have an equal opportunity to study and contribute to science.  Dr. Hrynkow noted that communication of program successes, as they are generated, in developing countries can “pave the way” for research fellows to return to a welcoming environment.

Dr. Hrynkow noted that communication of program successes, as they are generated, in developing countries can “pave the way” for research fellows to return to a welcoming environment.

Centers of Excellence in Developing Countries.  The Board noted that the dearth of research institutions and settings in developing countries is a main reason why trainees do not return to their home countries.  Dr. Wiesel noted that a “quick fix” adopted by countries in the developing world (e.g., Brazil, Chile) is to build centers of excellence.  In these instances, maintaining their infrastructure and a close association with universities is important so that the education and stimulation of students are enhanced.  The early collaboration among the Rockefeller Foundation, Johns Hopkins University, and Beijing Medical College is an example of a successful model for developing and sustaining high-quality support over time.  Dr. Wiesel noted the emphasis that China is currently giving to the development of a national institute of biological science modeled in some ways after the NIH.

Women Applicants and Awardees in the HFSP.  At the Board’s request, Dr. Wiesel indicated that he would provide data on the number of women applicants and awardees in the HFSP.  

VIII. CLOSED PORTION OF THE MEETING

This portion of the meeting was closed to the public in accordance with the determination that it was concerned with matters exempt from mandatory disclosure under Sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5, U.S. Code and Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2).

There was a discussion of procedures and policies regarding voting and confidentiality of application materials, committee discussions, and recommendations.  Members absented themselves from the meeting during discussion of and voting on applications from their own institutions or other applications in which there was a potential conflict of interest, real or apparent.  Members were asked to sign a statement to this effect.

IX. REVIEW OF APPLICATION

Mr. Richard Millstein chaired the remainder of the meeting during which the Research Awards Subcommittee reported on its activities.  A total of 64 scored competing applications were reviewed by the FIC Advisory Board at the February 10 meeting.[1]  The applications were in the following programs: 

	26 applications for the Fogarty International Research Collaboration Award (FIRCA) program, out of a total of 36 applications, for $1,467,000;
	12 applications for the HIV-AIDS and Related Illnesses Collaboration Award (AIDS-FIRCA) program, out of a total of 12 applications, for $492,000;
	6 applications for the Global Health Research Initiative Program for New Foreign Investigators (GRIP), out of a total of 10 applications, for $324,000;
	20 applications for the International Clinical, Operational, and Health Services Research and Training Award focused on HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (ICOHRTA AIDS/TB) program, out of a total of 22 applications, for $5,200,000

The Board concurred with the initial review group recommendations for the 64 applications

X. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m. on February 10, 2004.