The areas NIDCR chooses to emphasize in its solicited extramural and intramural research are selected through long-term and short-term science planning. Planning activities develop and use information from a number of different sources and consult a broad range of key external stakeholders. These individuals and organizations include:
- The extramural scientific community, including both individual researchers and professional societies;
- Patient organizations and voluntary health associations that may deal with the NIDCR directly or indirectly through Congress and the public media;
- The Congress and the Administration;
- The National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council and the NIDCR Board of Scientific Counselors;
- Other NIH Institutes, program offices, and other federal agencies;
- Industry, and;
- Ad hoc advisory groups.
In addition, the Institute relies on input gleaned through a variety of conferences and workshops. These include collaborative trans-NIH scientific conferences and workshops that constitute reviews of emerging scientific opportunities, public health concerns, or state-of-the-science assessments, many of which outline specific areas of research that should be the target of future initiatives or activities. Consensus development conferences also may be held. Finally, NIDCR’s planning and priority setting occurs in a larger context, including areas of emphasis determined by Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services, and NIH; a highly refined peer review process; the annual congressional appropriation; and other factors.
Evaluation research is an important tool to assist NIDCR with planning, management, and accountability. At the Institute, evaluation is defined as objective, systematic research that uses scientific criteria and analytical techniques to measure the effectiveness of program implementation and/or the impact of program results. Comprehensive evaluation projects are conducted for key disease-based and crosscutting areas of NIDCR’s portfolio of research and activities. Areas are selected for evaluation on the basis of several criteria, including the prevalence and impact of related diseases or conditions, NIDCR resources, the current state of the science in that area, and the recommendations of Council and other advisory groups.
