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NIH INFORMED

Issue No. 10, 2021
Insights from NIH notices and reviewer comments, so you can focus.
 
OCTOBER TIP
 

Should I propose a multi-site project as a first-time R01 applicant?

Probably not, if you don’t have experience leading a project at multiple sites.

Multi-site projects take a certain amount of communication and coordination, otherwise the sites wind up functioning like their own little fiefdoms instead of a unified whole. As a first-time R01 applicant of any kind, it may be wise to pare down to a single site. The ESI status definitely helps in these situations, as grantees are not compared to experienced PIs who may be proposing multi-site work. As always there are exceptions, such as people who have non-NIH experience leading projects at multiple sites. Also, if you propose a few local sites as opposed to many geographically disparate sites, reviewers may find it more credible that a new R01 PI can succeed. On subsequent R01s, you can propose multi-site-- after you have a proven track record of leadership. Remember that multi-site isn't always better: Single site tends to be a lot less expensive, and if your center can recruit an adequate number of the diverse cohort you need, you may not need another site.
OCTOBER NEWS
  1. Dr. Francis Collins stepping down as NIH director
  2. NIH to provide childcare cost support for NRSA full-time predoc and postdoc trainees
  3. NIH flexibility for researchers during COVID-19
  4. The latest roundup of some NIH-sponsored COVID-19 research
1. Dr. Francis Collins stepping down as NIH director
Dr. Francis Collins announced that he will step down as director of NIH. I had the extraordinary good fortune to serve under Dr. Collins when he was director of The Human Genome Project and NHGRI. We have been very lucky to have his skilled, steady leadership under some tumultuous chapters in our nation’s history. By stepping down now, Dr. Collins makes way for President Biden to choose the next director of NIH, as the position is by Presidential appointment. He will continue to direct his intramural research lab at NHGRI. To read about Dr. Collins's remarkable career, click here.
2. NIH to provide childcare cost support for NRSA full-time predoc and postdoc trainees
NIH will begin providing childcare cost support of $2,500 per budget period ($5,000 if both parents are full-time NRSA trainees) to full-time predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees on NRSA institutional research training awards made beginning in FY 2022. In April 2021, NIH began providing $2,500 in childcare costs support to recipients of full-time NRSA fellowships. Policies and application instructions can be found in the NOT.
3. NIH flexibility for researchers during COVID-19
NIH continues to offer flexibilities to support the research community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Flexibilities include: allowing investigators to address pandemic-related effects on productivity or other scoreable issues in the personal statement of the biosketch; flexibility with the two-week late policy; and allowing submission of preliminary data after application submission. The full list of flexibilities is here. Researchers should read the NOTs carefully and contact the I&C as needed.
4. The latest roundup of some NIH-sponsored COVID-19 research
Over the past year, the NIH has maintained the scientific community abreast of COVID-19 developments via a website with news releases regarding research findings and clinical trials attempting to address the pandemic. As the situation evolved, so has NIH’s information. 
 
The site now lists NIH’s strategic priorities for COVID-19 research, as well as a PDF of the 2021 NIH-wide COVID-19 Strategic Plan. Additionally, there is a page outlining COVID-19 research initiatives across its centers and institutes. 
 
We’ll continue sharing COVID-19 related headlines, but we encourage you to visit the resources above. 

Here are some other COVID-19 related headlines:

Exciting News!
Our new course library platform is now live!
Margaret Bouvier received her PhD in 1995 in Biomedical Sciences from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. After an NINDS post-doctoral fellowship, she worked as a staff writer for current NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins in the Office of Press, Policy, and Communications for the Human Genome Project and NHGRI. Since 2007, Meg has specialized in editing and advising on NIH submissions, and began offering virtual courses in 2015. She currently supports 2 of the top 3-ranked hospitals; 4 of the top 6 cancer hospitals; and 3 of the top 6-ranked medical schools for research in the country. She has helped clients land over $380 million in federal funding. Meg Bouvier Medical Writing, LLC is a woman-owned, small business.

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