This document summarizes the major mechanisms NIGMS uses to fund research grants and lists special areas of interest where appropriate. For those who would like more detailed information, references are given to specific issues of the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts in which the announcements of various grant mechanisms and program emphases appeared.
The NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts is issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to convey policy and administrative information and to help interested individuals and organizations keep informed of opportunities, requirements, and changes in grant and contract activities administered by NIH components. The Guide is available on the NIH Web site at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide.
The PHS 398 grant application form is available on the World Wide Web at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. Application kits are also available from the offices of sponsored research of most institutions eligible for Federal grants-in-aid or from the Office of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, Office of Extramural Research, NIH, Room 6207, 6701 Rockledge Drive MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, (301) 435-0714, e-mail GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
Research Project Grants
A research project grant (R01) is awarded to an eligible institution on behalf of a principal investigator to support a discrete project related to the investigator's area of interest and competence. These grants make up the largest category of funding provided by NIGMS.
Research project grants may be awarded to nonprofit organizations and institutions; governments and their agencies; occasionally, though rarely, to individuals who have access to adequate facilities and resources for conducting the research; and to profit-making organizations. Foreign institutions and international organizations are also eligible to apply for these grants.
Any qualified scientist may apply for support, as long as the sponsoring institution is willing to provide the facilities necessary to accomplish the research goals and to accept responsibility for grant funds if awarded.
These grants may provide funds for reasonable costs of the research activity, as well as for salaries, equipment, supplies, travel, and other related expenses.
For additional information on research project grants, contact the Office of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, Office of Extramural Research, NIH, Room 6207, 6701 Rockledge Drive MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, (301) 435-0714, e-mail GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
Program Project Grants
The program project grant (P01) is more complex in scope and budget than the individual research grant. While individual research grants are awarded to support the work of one principal investigator who, with supporting staff, is addressing a scientific problem, program project grants are available to a group of several investigators with differing areas of expertise who wish to collaborate in research by pooling their talents and resources. Program project grants represent synergistic research programs that are designed to achieve results not attainable by investigators working independently.
The program project grant is organized around a set of closely related projects bearing on a well-defined scientific problem. Normally, three to five projects are involved, with one scientist designated by the applicant institution as the principal investigator who bears responsibility for the scientific and fiscal management of the program project grant.
It is expected that each of the collaborating scientists responsible for the individual projects will be an independent investigator. Investigators from more than one department, administrative unit, or institution may be represented.
The program project grant is not intended to be a vehicle for departmental support, nor is the research support of one senior investigator and several postdoctoral- and research associate-level scientists appropriate under this mechanism. In addition, the program project and the individual components must represent a significant effort on the part of the participating scientists and should be distinct from their other funded efforts. Furthermore, the need of a group of investigators for a major piece of equipment or a core facility does not in itself provide justification for a program project grant. However, equipment and other core resources necessary for the accomplishment of the objectives of a program project grant may be requested. For applications seeking initial funding in FY 2003, there is an upper limit of $5,650,000 direct costs (exclusive of subcontractual indirect costs) for the entire 5-year project period that may be requested in a competing program project grant application to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. If fewer than 5 years are requested, the limit is prorated accordingly. Applications that exceed this limit will be returned without review. For program project grants that would be initially funded in the following fiscal years, the limits for direct costs are:
| FY 2003 |
$5,650,000 |
| FY 2004 |
$5,800,000 |
| FY 2005 |
$5,950,000 |
| FY 2006 |
$6,100,000 |
Under certain circumstances, with the concurrence of NIGMS staff, additional funds may be requested and provided for major pieces of equipment. In compliance with NIH policy, a grant application that requests more than $500,000 (direct costs) in any one year will not be accepted without prior approval from the Institute.
Program project grants are investigator-initiated, but, because of budgetary constraints, these grants may be restricted to areas of special interest to the individual NIGMS divisions. Applicants are urged to consult with NIGMS staff prior to submitting a program project grant application. Requests for details about the research areas supported by NIGMS and inquiries exploring the suitability of the program project grant mechanism to fund a particular group of studies should be addressed to the NIGMS staff listed below.
The individual projects within a program project grant, as well as the program project grant as a whole, must meet the same standards of scientific merit as those required of regular research project grants. In order to ensure that a program project grant application receives the best possible review by appropriate peers of all the participating investigators, the scientific merit of each component project is assessed in a manner comparable to the assessment that an individual research project grant receives, with the potential importance of the project to the success of the total effort also taken into account. The scientific merit of the program project grant application as a whole and its coherence as a program are also assessed. In addition, the total support of the principal investigator, the group of investigators as a whole, or any individual investigator may be considered in funding the entire program project or any of its parts.
For further information, applicants are urged to contact the following NIGMS staff members:
Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics
Dr. James C. Cassatt -- (301) 594-0828
Division of Genetics and Developmental Biology
Dr. Judith H. Greenberg -- (301) 594-0943
Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry
Dr. Michael E. Rogers -- (301) 594-3827
For additional information concerning NIGMS program project grants, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, July 9, 2001 (PA-01-116), or call Dr. Ann Hagan at (301) 594-3910.
Research Center Grants
NIGMS primarily supports investigator-initiated basic biomedical research that generally is not targeted to particular diseases or disorders. However, there are certain Institute programs that support research center grants (P50). Although these grants serve varying scientific and Institute-specific purposes, they have elements in common. The grants are multidisciplinary in scope and may focus more on an area or discipline of science than on a specific theme or goal. Independent investigators direct the projects and cores. Center grants offer a greater opportunity for scientific interactions and overall progress than there is in individually funded projects.
NIGMS solicits some center grants via Requests for Applications (RFAs) that outline specific center components (such as outreach activities, training needs, and infrastructure) as well as budget limits. Other centers, particularly in the areas of anesthesiology, pharmacological sciences, and trauma and burn injury, are not specifically solicited. These centers contain basic and clinical components and promote translational research. At a very early stage in the planning process for an unsolicited center grant , investigators are strongly encouraged to contact the program directors identified below to ascertain the degree of NIGMS interest in the proposed center.
For applications seeking initial funding in FY 2003, there is an upper limit of $5,650,000 direct costs (exclusive of subcontractual indirect costs), or as specified in the relevant request for applications (RFA), for the entire 5-year project period that may be requested in a competing research center grant application to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. If fewer than 5 years are requested, the limit is prorated accordingly. Applications that exceed this limit will be returned without review. For research center grants that would be initially funded in the following fiscal years, the limits for direct costs are:
| FY 2003 |
$5,650,000 |
| FY 2004 |
$5,800,000 |
| FY 2005 |
$5,950,000 |
| FY 2006 |
$6,100,000 |
Under certain circumstances, with the concurrence of NIGMS staff, additional funds may be requested and provided for major pieces of equipment. In compliance with NIH policy, a grant application that requests more than $500,000 (direct costs) in any one year will not be accepted without prior approval from the Institute.
Center grants are usually awarded for an initial 5-year period. Successful renewal of a center that was not specifically solicited depends on evidence that the grant did indeed stimulate new, scientifically meritorious approaches and interactions as originally intended. Reissuance of RFAs for center grants is contingent on the Institute's interests and funding resources. Center grant applications are generally reviewed by NIGMS review panels.
For unsolicited center grant applications in the following special interest areas, direct inquiries to the staff members listed below. The appropriate program contacts for solicited center grant applications are listed in the RFAs announcing the center grant programs.
Anesthesiology
Dr. Alison E. Cole -- (301) 594-3349
Pharmacological Sciences
Dr. Rochelle M. Long -- (301) 594-1826
Protein Structure Initiative
Dr. John Norvell -- (301) 594-0533
Dr. Charles Edmonds -- (301) 594-4428
Trauma and Burn Injury Research
Dr. Scott D. Somers -- (301) 594-5560
For more information concerning research center grants, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 16, No. 32, September 25, 1987, or call Dr. Ann Hagan at (301) 594-3910.
Exploratory Studies for High Risk/High Impact Research
The Exploratory Studies for High Risk/High Impact Research initiative (R21) seeks to broaden the base of inquiry in fundamental biomedical research by encouraging applications for research projects that involve an especially high degree of innovation and novelty. NIGMS provides pilot-scale support for potentially ground-breaking ideas, methods, and systems that meet the following criteria: they lack sufficient preliminary data for feasibility to be established (and therein lies the "risk"), their successful demonstration would have a major impact on biomedical research, and they fall within the areas supported by NIGMS.
You may request a project period of up to two years with a combined budget for direct costs of up $275,000 for the two-year period. For example, you may request $100,000 in the first year and $175,000 in the second year. The request should be tailored to the needs of your project. Normally, no more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year. Requests for the full amount will require rigorous justification. NIGMS expects to make most awards for less than the maximum amount. The awards are not renewable. For more information on this program, contact the following NIGMS staff members:
Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics
Dr. James C. Cassatt -- (301) 594-0828
Division of Genetics and Developmental Biology
Dr. Judith H. Greenberg -- (301) 594-0943
Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry
Dr. Michael E. Rogers -- (301) 594-3827
Collaborative Research Initiatives
The purpose of these initiatives is to provide groups of currently funded investigators at different institutions with additional support for collaborative and integrative activities. These activities should significantly enhance the investigators' existing capabilities and introduce new approaches to the research aims of the funded projects. Applications must be for projects in areas of research supported by NIGMS, and the principal investigator who serves as the consortium leader must have an NIGMS-funded R01 or R37 grant. This program, which uses the R24 award mechanism, is intended to support collaborative activities and resources of a modest scale, involving a small number of funded investigators working on a common problem. There is a maximum of $300,000 in direct costs per year. For more information on this program, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, May 24, 2000 (PA-00-099) and October 12, 2000, or contact the following NIGMS staff members:
Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics
Dr. James C. Cassatt -- (301) 594-0828
Division of Genetics and Developmental Biology
Dr. Judith H. Greenberg -- (301) 594-0943
Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry
Dr. Michael E. Rogers -- (301) 594-3827
Support of Scientific Meetings
NIGMS provides support for scientific meetings, conferences, and workshops that are relevant to its scientific mission. Scientific meetings may be funded by grant (R13) or cooperative agreement (U13) assistance mechanisms and may be funded for up to 5 years. Any U.S. institution or organization, including an established scientific or professional society, is eligible to apply. NIGMS requires potential applicants to submit a letter of intent to one of the NIGMS contact people listed below at least 30 days before the application deadline. The letter of intent must contain the title, purpose, significance, content, audience, and location of the proposed meeting. For more information, see "Guidelines for Support of Scientific Meetings by NIGMS" or contact the appropriate individual listed below:
Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics
Dr. James C. Cassatt -- (301) 594-0828
Division of Genetics and Developmental Biology
Dr. Marcus Rhoades -- (301) 594-0943
Division of Minority Opportunities in Research
Dr. Clifton A. Poodry -- (301) 594-3900
Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry
Dr. Michael E. Rogers -- (301) 594-3827
Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Awards
NIGMS has several activities that are designed to increase the number of researchers who are members of minority groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. The largest of these is MBRS, which awards grants to educational institutions with substantial minority enrollments to support research by faculty members; strengthen the institutions' biomedical research capabilities; and increase the interest, skills, and competitiveness of students and faculty in pursuit of biomedical research careers.
MBRS awards are made to 2- or 4-year colleges, universities, and health professional schools with 50 percent or more enrollments of minorities that have been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. Historically, individuals who have been found to be underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans (including Alaska Natives), and natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands. In some cases, awards are made to institutions that have a demonstrated commitment to the special encouragement and assistance of minority students and faculty, although the minority student population at these institutions, while still high, is under 50 percent.
MBRS has three major grant mechanisms: Support of Continuous Research Excellence (SCORE), Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE), and Initiative for Minority Student Development (IMSD).
For additional information about MBRS awards, call Dr. Hinda Zlotnik at (301) 594-3900.
Support of Continuous Research Excellence
The purpose of the SCORE Program (S06) is to develop biomedical research faculty at minority-serving institutions who are committed to improving competitive research programs and increasing the number of underrepresented minorities professionally engaged in biomedical research. This is achieved by providing financial assistance to competitive developing research programs in all areas of biomedical and behavioral research at institutions with significant underrepresented minority student enrollments. The program supports faculty-initiated, scientifically meritorious research projects, including pilot research projects. Support for faculty participating in pilot research projects is preparatory to seeking more substantial funding from other NIH research grant programs (such as the MBRS SCORE Program, Academic Research Enhancement Awards, and R01 research project grants).
The SCORE Program includes such allowable costs as faculty salaries (reimbursed according to percent effort), salaries for technicians, limited administrative support, consultant fees, equipment, research supplies, scientific seminar series, travel, and support for evaluation activities. Funds are also available for up to $40,000 in alterations and renovations when necessary to carry out the proposed research. Applicants may request support for 1 to 20 research projects and 1 to 8 pilot research projects per program. An institution may hold only one active SCORE award and may not be currently receiving support from the IMSD Program. In addition, institutions are expected to set specific goals and measurable objectives against which they will be evaluated when they recompete for continued funding.
For additional information about SCORE awards, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, October 1, 2003 (PAR-04-001), or call Dr. Hinda Zlotnik at (301) 594-3900.
Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement
The RISE Program (R25) seeks to enhance the research environment at minority-serving institutions. The overall goal is to increase the interest, skills, and competitiveness of students and faculty in pursuit of biomedical research careers. The program offers support for faculty and student development activities, which can include on- or off-campus workshops, specialty courses, travel to scientific meetings, and research experiences at on- or off-campus laboratories. Support is available for evaluation activities, as well.
The RISE Program also offers support for institutional development, which includes limited funds for the renovation or remodeling of existing facilities to provide space for an investigator to carry out developmental activities, limited equipment purchases, and the development of research courses.
An institution may hold only one active RISE award and may not be currently receiving support from the IMSD Program. In addition, institutions are expected to set specific goals and measurable objectives against which they will be evaluated when they recompete for continued funding.
For additional information about RISE awards, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, August 19, 1999 (PAR-99-151), the RISE Policy Statement, Supplemental Instructions, Answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and Participating Institutions, or call Dr. Hinda Zlotnik at (301) 594-3900.
Initiative for Minority Student Development
The IMSD Program (R25) seeks to encourage the development and/or expansion of innovative programs to improve the academic and research competitiveness of underrepresented minority students at the undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral levels and to facilitate their progress toward careers in biomedical research.
Awards are made to domestic, private and public educational institutions that are involved in biomedical research and training. The institutions select the students to be supported. These students must be majoring in biomedically relevant sciences or be in medical, dental, or veterinary training and have an interest in pursuing research careers.
The total requested project period for these awards may not exceed 4 years. Awards are renewable. Applicants requesting direct costs of $500,000 in any one year must obtain written agreement from NIGMS that the application will be accepted, in accordance with NIH policy, which is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not96-003.html. Allowable costs include, but are not limited to, graduate student tuition remission; supplies; equipment; travel; other expenses; and salary, wages, and fringe benefits for students and faculty. Applicants should describe the systems by which they would monitor and track the student participants in their programs, including the careers students choose after graduation and the benefits of the programs on student retention and graduation rates.
For additional information about IMSD awards, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, December 9, 1999 (PAR-00-022), the IMSD Policy Statement Supplemental Instructions, and Participating Institutions, or call Dr. Hinda Zlotnik at (301) 594-3900.
Initiative for Minority Students: Bridges to the Baccalaureate Degree
The Bridges to the Baccalaureate Degree initiative (R25) provides support to institutions to help students make transitions at a critical stage in their development as scientists. The program is aimed at helping students make the transition from 2-year junior or community colleges to full 4-year baccalaureate programs.
A key component of the Bridges to the Future Program is partnership between institutions with the goal of providing a seamless transition for students who are interested in careers in biomedical research. The partnership must involve at least two colleges or universities, but it may involve a consortium of several institutions and it may include several institutions within a single state system. The 2-year college must offer the associate degree as the only undergraduate degree in the sciences within the participating departments and must have a significant enrollment of underrepresented minority students.
One participating institution must be designated as the applicant institution, must name the program director, and must submit the application. Each participating institution must also name one individual to act as its program coordinator. Awards are made to domestic, private and public, educational institutions. State and local systems of higher education may also apply.
Bridges to the Future specifically targets underrepresented minority students, defined as students who belong to a racial group that is underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. These minority groups include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans (including Alaska Natives), and natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands.
The total requested project period for these awards may not exceed 3 years, with direct costs not to exceed $600,000 for the 3-year period. Allowable costs include, but are not limited to: tuition remission, supplies, equipment, travel, other expenses, salary, wages, and fringe benefits for students and faculty.
For additional information about these awards, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, March 14, 2002 (PAR-02-084), as well as the Bridges to the Future Supplemental Instructions for Form 398 and Supplemental Instructions for Form 2590, or contact Dr. Adolphus Toliver at (301) 594-3900. The annual receipt dates for applications are May 14 and November 14. Click here for a list of Bridges Program institutions. For more information, see the Bridges Program Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Initiative for Minority Students: Bridges to the Doctoral Degree
The Bridges to the Doctoral Degree initiative (R25) provides support to institutions to help students make a critical transition in their development as scientists. The program is aimed at helping students make the transition from master's degree programs to Ph.D. programs.
A key component of the Bridges to the Future Program is partnership between institutions with the goal of providing a seamless transition for students who are interested in careers in biomedical research. The partnership must involve at least two colleges or universities, but it may involve a consortium of several institutions and it may include several institutions within a single state system. The program promotes partnerships between institutions awarding the master's degree as the terminal degree and universities awarding the Ph.D. degree. The master's degree-awarding institution must have a significant enrollment of underrepresented minority students.
One participating institution must be designated as the applicant institution, must name the program director, and must submit the application. Each participating institution must also name one individual to act as its program coordinator. Awards are made to domestic, private and public, educational institutions. State and local systems of higher education may also apply.
Bridges to the Future specifically targets underrepresented minority students, defined as students who belong to a racial group that is underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. These minority groups include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans (including Alaska Natives), and natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands.
The total requested project period for these awards may not exceed 3 years, with direct costs not to exceed $600,000 for the 3-year period. Allowable costs include, but are not limited to: tuition remission, supplies, equipment, travel, other expenses, salary, wages, and fringe benefits for students and faculty.
For additional information about these awards, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, March 14, 2002 (PAR-02-083), as well as the Bridges to the Future Supplemental Instructions for Form 398 and Supplemental Instructions for Form 2590, or contact Dr. Adolphus Toliver at (301) 594-3900. The annual receipt dates for applications are May 14 and November 14. Click here for a list of Bridges Program institutions. For more information, see the Bridges Program Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities
As part of an NIH-wide program, principal investigators holding NIGMS research grants may request supplemental funds to support minority scientists and students. The aim of these supplements is to attract and encourage minority individuals to pursue biomedical research careers. Any principal investigator at a domestic institution holding an active NIGMS research grant, program project grant, center grant, or cooperative agreement research program, with a reasonable period of research support (usually 2 years or more) remaining at the time of the supplemental award, is eligible to submit a request to NIGMS for an administrative supplement to the grant. Minority individuals may receive support under these programs on only one grant at any time, but may be supported by more than one grant during their research careers.
Supplements are available to support minority individuals from each of the following population groups:
High School Students - Supplements support minority high school students who have expressed an interest in the biomedical or behavioral sciences.
Undergraduate Students - This program supports minority undergraduate students who have demonstrated an interest in the biomedical or behavioral sciences and wish to continue on to graduate-level training in these areas.
Post-Baccalaureate and Post-Master's Degree Students - These supplements provide opportunities for recent baccalaureate and master's degree graduates to spend up to 2 years engaged in biomedical or behavioral sciences research while applying for graduate or medical school.
Predoctoral Students - Supplements support minority predoctoral students while they develop their research capabilities in the biomedical or behavioral sciences.
Minority Individuals in Postdoctoral Training - These supplements provide an opportunity for minority postdoctoral scientists to participate in ongoing research projects to further their development into independent biomedical or behavioral researchers.
Minority Staff and Faculty - This program provides short- and long-term opportunities for minority investigators to participate in ongoing research projects while further developing their own independent research potential.
Grantee institutions should submit requests for supplements to NIGMS grants directly to NIGMS. For additional information, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, April 9, 2001 (PA-01-079) and the Multiple Minority Supplement Request Policy Statement or call Dr. Anthony A. René at (301) 594-3833.
Research Supplements for Individuals with Disabilities
To address the problem of the low participation rate of Americans with disabilities in the biomedical research sciences, NIGMS is participating in an NIH-wide initiative to extend opportunities to individuals with qualifying disabilities who are capable of entering or resuming research careers. The aim of the program is to provide funding at several different stages in a research career, which will substantially increase the number of individuals with disabilities in biomedical research. Any principal investigator at a domestic institution holding an active NIGMS research grant, program project grant, center grant, or cooperative agreement research program, with a reasonable period of research support (usually 2 years or more) remaining at the time of the supplemental award, is eligible to submit a request to NIGMS for an administrative supplement to the grant. Usually, each "parent grant" would have only one supplement for a person with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities may receive support under these programs on only one grant at any time, but may be supported by more than one grant during the development of their research careers.
Supplements are available to support individuals with disabilities from each of the following population groups:
High School Students - Supplements are designed to foster an interest in biomedical and behavioral research.
Undergraduate Students - This program supports undergraduate students to encourage them to continue on to graduate-level training in the biomedical or behavioral sciences.
Post-Baccalaureate and Post-Master's Students - Supplements support students who wish to pursue additional graduate-level training in the biomedical or behavioral sciences.
Graduate Students - These supplements permit graduate students to further develop their research capabilities.
Individuals in Postdoctoral Research Training - This program provides support during postdoctoral training to enable the development of an independent career in biomedical research.
Investigators Developing Independent Research Careers - Staff and faculty members with doctoral degrees can receive short- and long-term support for participation in an ongoing research project while further developing their own independent research potential.
Established Investigators Who Become Disabled - This program will provide additional support for established investigators and project leaders on components of program projects and center grants who become disabled. The additional support may be requested for assistants or special equipment that will facilitate a continuing contribution to research.
Grantee institutions should submit requests for supplements to NIGMS grants directly to NIGMS. For additional information, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, April 9, 2001 (PA-01-080), or call Dr. Anthony A. René at (301) 594-3833.
Supplements to Promote Reentry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers
NIGMS participates in an NIH-wide program that provides administrative supplements to research grants to support individuals with high potential to reenter an active research career after taking time off to care for children or parents or to attend to other family responsibilities. The program provides administrative supplements to existing NIH research grants for the purpose of supporting full-time or part-time research by these individuals in a program designed to bring their existing research skills and knowledge up to date. It is anticipated that at the completion of the supplement, the reentry scientist will be in a position to apply for a career development or research award.
Candidates must have a doctoral degree, such as an M.D., D.D.S., Ph.D., O.D., D.V.M., or equivalent; must have at least 2 years of postdoctoral research experience; and must have qualified for a faculty appointment at the assistant professor or equivalent level at the time of leaving active research. The duration of the career interruption should be for at least 2 and no more than 8 years. Supplemental awards may be made for up to 3 years.
The requested salary and fringe benefits for a reentry candidate must be in accordance with the salary structure of the grantee institution, consistent with the level of effort. An additional amount of $10,000 may be requested for supplies, domestic travel, and publication costs relevant to the proposed research. Equipment may not be purchased as part of this supplement without justification and specific prior approval by NIH.
For additional information, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, July 9, 2004 (PA-04-126), or contact Dr. Anthony René at (301) 594-3833.
Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA)
NIH has established the Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15) to stimulate research at educational institutions that provide baccalaureate training for a significant number of the Nation's research scientists but that have not been major recipients of NIH support. The award provides funding for small-scale, new or ongoing health-related research projects, including pilot research projects and feasibility studies; development, testing, and refinement of research techniques; secondary analysis of available data sets; and similar discrete research projects that demonstrate research capability. NIGMS offers these awards for research in all scientific areas related to its mission.
A prospective applicant who wishes to know if his or her institution is eligible for the AREA Program should check the list of institutions that are ineligible for AREA grants on the NIH Web site.
Applicants may request support for up to a total of $150,000 in direct costs (plus applicable indirect costs) for a period of up to 3 years.
An applicant investigator must not be the principal investigator of any active NIH research grant (including an AREA grant) at the time an AREA grant award is made. Also, a principal investigator may not submit an application to NIH for a research project grant for essentially the same project proposed in a pending AREA application. Principal investigators are expected to conduct the majority of their research at their own institutions, although limited access to special facilities or equipment at another institution is permitted. Principal investigators may not be awarded more than one AREA grant at a time.
For further information, see the AREA Web site at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/area.htm or the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, January 9, 2003 (PA-03-053), or call Dr. Jean Chin at (301) 594-2485.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
NIGMS has set aside funds for a Small Business Innovation Research Program. Applications are accepted in the scientific areas for which the Institute provides support. Under this program, awards are intended to:
- stimulate technological innovation,
- use small business to meet Federal research and development needs,
- increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development, and
- foster and encourage participation by minority and disadvantaged persons in technological innovation.
The SBIR Program consists of three phases:
Phase I (R43) establishes the scientific and technical merit and feasibility as well as the potential for commercialization of the proposed research. Awards normally are for $100,000 (for direct costs, indirect costs, and fixed fee) and usually do not exceed 6 months. Applicants may propose greater amounts of funds and longer periods of time for completion of the Phase I project.
The Phase II grant (R44) continues research or research and development (R&D) efforts initiated in Phase I. Only Phase I awardees are eligible to apply for Phase II funding, which generally does not exceed $750,000 (for direct costs, indirect costs, and fixed fee) for a period of 2 years. These levels are guidelines, and under special circumstances applicants may propose greater amounts of funds and longer periods of time for completion of the project.
Phase III, where appropriate, is for the small business to pursue with non-SBIR funds the commercialization of the results of the research or R&D funded in Phase I and Phase II.
Application forms and additional information are available on the Small Business Funding Opportunities Web site. For information about NIGMS SBIR programs, call Dr. Peter Preusch at (301) 594-5938.
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program
NIH awards grants under the Small Business Technology Transfer Program for research or R&D of new technologies and methodologies that have the potential to succeed as commercial products. This support is provided to small business concerns in collaboration with U.S. research institutions because innovative technologies and methodologies fuel progress in biomedical and behavioral research and represent an increasingly important area of the economy.
The applicant organization must be the small business concern, which must perform at least 40 percent of the project. At least 30 percent of the project is to be performed by the college, university, or other research institution.
The STTR Program consists of three phases:
Phase I (R41) determines the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed cooperative effort and the quality of performance of the small business concern, prior to providing further Federal support in Phase II. Awards normally are for $100,000 (for direct costs, indirect costs, and fixed fee) and usually do not exceed 1 year.
Phase II (R42) continues the research or R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Only Phase I awardees are eligible to apply for Phase II funding, which generally does not exceed $500,000 (for direct costs, indirect costs, and fixed fee) for a period of 2 years. These levels are guidelines, and under special circumstances applicants may propose greater amounts of funds and longer periods of time for completion of the project.
The objective of Phase III, where appropriate, is to pursue with non-STTR funds the commercialization of the results of the research or R&D funded in Phase I and Phase II.
Application forms and additional information are available on the Small Business Funding Opportunities Web site. To discuss NIGMS program interests, call Dr. Peter Preusch at (301) 594-5938.
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