Volume 14, Number 7: January 9, 2008
FEDERAL NEWS
NIH Implements Continuous Submission for Appointed Study Section Members
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is implementing an alternate plan for submission and review of research grant applications from appointed members of chartered NIH study sections in order to recognize their outstanding service and to minimize disincentives to study section service. Since timing of Study Section meetings and most standard due dates for grant applications overlap, reviewers are under pressure to review applications and prepare their own applications simultaneously.
This alternate process is limited to the following:
- appointed members of chartered standing Study Sections
- applications that would normally be received on standard submission dates
- the R01, R21, and R34 mechanisms only
Click here for a series of Frequently Asked Questions.
AAAS Budget Analysis Shows Increase in Earmarks
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has issued a look at the effect of earmarks on research funding in the 2008 budget. The earmarks total $4.5 billion, and are most heavily concentrated in the Departments of Energy and Agriculture.
The Chronicle of Higher Education also featured an article on the budget and earmarks on January 9.
NIH Policy on Late Submission of Grant Applications
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a new consolidated document on the agency's late submission policy, including standard and expedited deadlines, submission, and a discussion of late application procedure and standards.
Federal Spending Database Debuts
USASpending.gov, created in response to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, is now available to the public. It offers information on all money awarded by the federal government, from contracts to grants to loans.
Revised NIH Forms
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has revised several of their commonly used forms, including the following:
PHS 398 (DHHS Public Health Service Grant Application), available now, accepted on or after January 25, 2008, and required for May 25, 2008 and subsequent deadlines
PHS 2590 (DHHS Public Health Service Noncompeting Continuation Progress Report), available now, accepted immediately, and required for March 1, 2008 and subsequent deadlines
PHS 2271 (Statement of Appointment), available now, accepted immediately, and required for May 1, 2008 and subsequent deadlines
PHS 3734 (Official Statement Relinquishing Interest and Rights in a PHS Research Grant), available now and accepted immediately
HHS 568 (Final Invention Statement and Certification), available now and accepted immediately
PHS 398 appendices will also move from paper to electronic copies to be submitted on CD.