A Beginner's Guide to the National Institutes of Health nih

1. A Beginner's Guide to the National Institutes of Healthwww.nih.gov Ronald P. AbelesOffice of Behavioral & Social Sciences Researchabeles@nih.gov APA, New Orleans, 2006

2. What is NIH? • World’s largest supporter of biomedical, behavioral, and social science research and training. • FY 2006 $28.6 billion 18,636 employees • 28 Institutes and Centers (ICs). • Categorical ICs: Organs and diseases • Non-categorical ICs • Extramural and Intramural Research. APA, New Orleans, 2006

3. How do I obtain funding? • Office of Extramural Research http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm http://grants.nih.gov/grants/ • Investigator Initiated Applications • Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) • Program Announcements (PA) • Requests for Applications (RFA) • Requests for Proposals (RFP) APA, New Orleans, 2006

4. How do I find funding opportunities? • NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html • Behavioral & Social Research Guide to Grants at the NIH: Electronic Mailing Listhttp://obssr.od.nih.gov/Content/Publications/Research_Guide_to_NIH_Grants/ • Selected from NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts • Every 6 weeks APA, New Orleans, 2006

5. How is my application evaluated and funded? • Center for Scientific Review (CSR) http://www.csr.nih.gov • Assigns applications to • Institute or Center for funding • Study Section for peer review • National Advisory Councils • Institute/Center Directors and Staff APA, New Orleans, 2006

6. Additional Internet Resources • Funded Projects (CRISP) http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/ • Tips on Preparing Applications http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/grant_tips.htm APA, New Orleans, 2006

7. How do I apply? • Electronic submission of applications • Grants.gov • Single point of entry: http://www.grants.gov • Standardized and common application forms • NIH is participating • http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/index.htm • All funding mechanisms by September 2007 • R01s in February 2007 APA, New Orleans, 2006

8. What kinds of grants are available? • Funding Mechanismshttp://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/funding_program.htm • Small Grants (R03) • Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Award (R21) • Regular Research Grants (R01) • Fellowship & Career Awards (F’s & K’s) • Diversity Supplement Program (S) • Recommended Sequence of Awards? APA, New Orleans, 2006

9. The Ultimate Resource • NIH Program Staff “We’re from the government and we are here to help you.” • On-line directory • Prospectus • Pre- and post-award communication APA, New Orleans, 2006

10. Minda R. Lynch, Ph.D.Branch Chief Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences Research Branch Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Research National Institute on Drug Abuse National Institutes of Health E-mail: mlynch1@nida.nih.gov APA, New Orleans, 2006

11. Start Writing your NIH application… APA, New Orleans, 2006

12. What Type of Research Grant Is Right for Me? What stage of research career ? Training, Research or Career Development? - What are your research needs? - do you need a mentor or collaborators? - how big is the project? - do you have pilot data? - how supportive is your environment? APA, New Orleans, 2006

13. Funding Mechanisms Graduate Student NRSA F30, F31, T32 Post-doc NRSA F32, T32 Transition K01, K08, K23, K12, K22 Early Career R03, R01, R21, R15 Mid Career R01, K02, P01, K24 APA, New Orleans, 2006

14. Career Development Grants at NIH APA, New Orleans, 2006

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16. We have read your application and are giving it serious consideration! APA, New Orleans, 2006

17. Where I do I look for information? APA, New Orleans, 2006

18. Who/What is a Program Officer? • Is a Scientist • Administers a thematic program of research • Identifies gaps and stimulates new directions • Communicates NIH mission, opportunities and funding priorities by: • Coordinating meetings, conferences, workshops and fostering collaborations • And writing funding announcements • Tracks the latest science • Advocates support of the best and funding priorities by: • Recommending grant funding APA, New Orleans, 2006

19. What can the Program Officer do for me? APA, New Orleans, 2006

20. NIH APA, New Orleans, 2006

21. How? • Advise on the “right” funding mechanism to match your needs • Recommend “hot science” and IC program interests • Suggest appropriate Institute and Study Section Assignments • Discuss results of review and strategize for revision APA, New Orleans, 2006

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24. Special type of Small Grant (R03) Newly independent behavioral scientists Behavioral Science Track Award for Rapid Transition at NIDA and NIMH FEATURES Duration - 1 year Mentor - No Support - $50,000 Renew - No Pages - 10 pgs. APA, New Orleans, 2006

25. Smaller, undergraduate institutions Academic Research Enhancement Award AREA (R15) Special Research Circumstances FEATURES Duration - up to 3 years Mentor - No Res. Costs - $100,000 total Renew - Yes Pages - 25 pgs APA, New Orleans, 2006

26. Top Ten Tips for Grant Preparation • Guide the reviewer – Trace the history, this point in time, and future directions • Don’t MISS citations from the literature; acknowledge divergent points of view or conflicting findings • Acknowledge weaknesses; build in plans for alternate strategies • Justify everything – Why, Why, Why? And back it up with arguments! APA, New Orleans, 2006

27. Top Ten Tips (continued) • Avoid “fatal” flaws –A proposal that is over ambitious, a ‘fishing expedition’ (parametric, not hypothesis-driven) or a “leaning tower” that will collapse if the foundation isn’t supported! • Demonstrate your expertise • Make sure you have letters from collaborators • Watch typos and grammatical mistakes • Don’t be “sloppy” – cutting and pasting from other applications • Be sure to use the most recent application form APA, New Orleans, 2006

28. Conclusion(The final word) Be current, be detailed, and be proactive… Do your research and Talk to NIH staff! APA, New Orleans, 2006