The National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006 and Next Steps
I am pleased to announce that the President signed the National Institutes
of Health Reform Act of 2006 on January 15, 2007. This follows bipartisan support
by the Congress. The Act affirms the importance of the NIH and its vital role
in advancing biomedical research to improve the health of the Nation.
This is only the third omnibus reauthorization in the NIH’s history,
and the first in 14 years.
We have initiated an implementation process at NIH to carry out the new legislation.
The work is already under way. I have formed Ad Hoc Working Group
of the NIH Steering Committee, to be chaired by the NIH Deputy Director, Dr.
Raynard Kington, and comprising Institute and Center (IC) Directors and leadership
in legislation, policy, management, communications, extramural and intramural
activities, budget, and the Office of the General Counsel, to make recommendations
on the implementation of the legislation. The Ad Hoc Working Group
will be charged to complete a careful, detailed analysis of the legislation
and propose plans for its implementation that will aid the NIH in serving the
public and our scientific community more effectively.
Key provisions in the Act include items related to (1) the Division of Program
Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives; (2) the Common Fund; (3)
the Council of Councils; (4) the Scientific Management Review Board; (5) Authorization
of Appropriations; (6) Reorganization; and (7) Reporting.
1. The Division of Program Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives
(DPCPSI)
The DPCPSI, within the Office of the Director, is officially established. The
purpose of DPCPSI is to identify and report on research that represents important
areas of emerging scientific opportunities, rising public health challenges,
or knowledge gaps that deserve special emphasis and would benefit from the
conduct or support of additional research that involves collaboration between
two or more ICs, or would otherwise benefit from strategic coordination and
planning.
2. The Common Fund
The Common Fund (CF) will support trans-NIH research. CF amounts will be reserved
by the NIH Director, subject to any applicable provisions in appropriations
Acts, but the amount reserved as a percentage of the total appropriation
in any fiscal year may not be less than the percentage from the preceding
fiscal year. The first year that the CF reaches the 5 percent mark, the Director
will be required, in consultation with the Council of Councils, to submit
recommendations to Congress for changes regarding amounts for the CF.
3. Council of Councils
A new Council of Councils will advise on research proposals that would be funded
by the Common Fund. It will be composed of 27 members selected from the IC
Advisory Councils, individuals nominated by OD offices, and members of the
NIH Council of Public Representatives.
4. Scientific Management Review Board (SMRB)
At least every 7 years, the SMRB will be required to examine the use of the
NIH’s organizational authorities, provide a report on the review, and
make recommendations regarding the use of such authorities. If the SMRB recommends
an organizational change, the process to effect the change must begin within
100 days of the report, and the change must be fully implemented within 3
years. These requirements do not apply if the NIH Director formally objects
to all or part of the recommended organizational change within 90 days, and
the objection includes a rationale.
5. Authorization of Appropriations
Most expired authorizations of appropriations sections relevant to the NIH
will be deleted from the Statute and replaced with one authorization of appropriations
for the entire Agency for the following amounts: $30,331,309,000 for FY 2007;
$32,831,309,000 for FY 2008; and such sums as may be necessary for FY 2009.
6. Reorganization
The legislation requires a public process for certain reorganizations and identifies
procedures for any reorganization.
7. Reporting
Most reports pertaining to NIH in current law will be deleted and replaced
by one biennial report to Congress. Additional reports with respect to collaboration
with other DHHS agencies, clinical trials, tissue samples, whistleblowers,
and experts and consultants are required. Reports will be required from each
institution receiving an NIH award for the training of graduate students
for doctoral degrees. ICs will also be required to report to the Director
of NIH on the amount of that IC’s budget made available for trans-NIH
research. Detailed information about these elements and others is available
on the Web at http://www.nih.gov/about/reauthorization/.
This affirmation from Congress and the President has come at a critical time,
and we want to ensure that we take the best possible advantage of this opportunity.
We will be communicating with the community regularly as we make progress in
this process.
/s/
Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D.
NIH Director