Volume 11, number 7: January 5, 2005
FEDERAL NEWS
NIH Establishes Website for New Investigators
The Office of Extramural Research (OER), of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announced the posting of a new website that articulates NIH's continuing commitment to new investigators. The website describes
- resources that new investigators can use to understand and work with the NIH;
- helpful hints that might be useful in constructing a first application for NIH support;
- current policies; and
- data related to the influx of new investigators;
The OER is also soliciting additional suggestions for noncommercial content for its website. Visitors who know of additional resources can send suggestions to OEPMailbox@mail.nih.gov.
Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to commit approximately $7 million in fiscal year 2005 to fund 10 new grants for research project grants to support the development of nanotechnology platforms for basic, applied, and translational multidisciplinary research on cancer. Proposed projects will be eligible for consideration if they address one or more of the following thematic/programmatic areas of focus:
- Molecular imaging and early detection
- In vivo imaging
- Reporters of therapeutic efficacy
- Multifunctional therapeutics
- Prevention and control of cancer
- Research enablers
An applicant may request a project period of up to five years and a budget for total costs up to $1 million per year. READ MORE.
Congress Reduces NSF Budget to $5.47 Billion
The National Science Foundation (NSF), suffering its first budget cut in years, will operate at 1.9 percent below fiscal year 2004 spending levels. The foundation is now funded at $5.47 billion, $105 million below last year and $232 million below the FY05 request.
The budget cut affects the Research and Related Activities (R&RA) account, which funds NSF’s core research directorates and programs. R&RA funding fell to $4,220.56 million, $30.8 million below FY04 funding levels and $200.95 million below the FY05 request level. Funding decisions by directorates and programs will be left to the discretion of NSF, pending congressional approval. READ MORE.
Extension of Expiration Date for Various NIH Research Career Development ("K") Program Announcements
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a notice that it is extending the expiration dates for several Research Career Development ("K") Program Announcements
Mentored
Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08)
Mentored
Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Mentored
Research Scientist Development Award (K01)
Independent
Scientist Award (K02)
Senior
Scientist Award (K05)
The announcements will remain active until revisions can be issued in 2005. READ MORE.
Department of Homeland Security Conference and Call for Abstracts
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate will sponsor “Working Together: A Conference on Public/Private R&D Partnerships in Homeland Security" April 27-28 in Boston. The conference will address the collective science and technology research goals of the U.S. homeland security community and encourage public-private partnering among scientists and engineers from government, national laboratories, universities, research institutes, and private sector firms investing in R&D.
Papers are also sought for the conference on a number of specified technical topics. Those interested in presenting a paper should submit an abstract by February 7, 2005. READ MORE
STAR Grant Program RFA Reductions
With the release of President Bush’s budget request for fiscal year 2005, funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Science to Achieve Results (STAR) extramural grants program will be decreased from $100 million to about $65 million. As a result, the EPA will reduce the number of STAR Requests for Applications and associated grants, beginning with the 2005 announcements currently listed on its website.
The EPA is currently analyzing the effects that the directions from the 2004 appropriation had on the research planned for the STAR program; the EPA warns that it may need to make further adjustments after it finishes the analysis. The EPA created a webpage where you can leave feedback, get answers to already asked questions, and view a list of previously announced solicitations that have been affected. READ MORE.
Research Priorities for AHRQ
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has announced information about its highest research priorities for unsolicited applications for FY05:
- Translating Research into Practice and Policy
- Patient Safety and Quality
- Patient-Centered Care
- Payment and Organization
AHRQ will continue to provide regular updates of research priorities as research-budget information becomes available. Applications focused on the above priority areas may be submitted on regular research and training grant application receipt dates and will be reviewed by standing AHRQ study sections. READ MORE.