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Get One More Shot at That R03
NIH has upped the number of times you can revise an unsuccessful
small grant application to two. This applies whether you're citing the
omnibus NIH Small Research Grant (R03) program announcement or one issued by NIAID or other institute or center. A couple of exceptions: applicants responding to a request for applications should submit a new application, and NIAAA, NIDA, and NIMH B/Start and I/Start programs use different instructions.
As always, don't forget to enter a program announcement number on line 2 of the PHS 398 face page. Find more information about the R03 program at NIH Small Grant Program (R03), including the April 29, 2005, Guide notice that increases the number of revisions. |
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On NIH's Most Wanted: Your Manuscripts
It's not mandatory, but NIH would like your manuscripts
to help populate its new public access Web site housed at the National Library
of Medicine's PubMed Central. As a PI, you can start uploading your manuscripts now at NIH Manuscript Submission; after July 6, 2005, others may submit them on your behalf.
NIH would like you to transmit each paper immediately after it's published in a scientific journal. Then you can decide whether to postpone posting it on the NLM site up to 12 months.
For details on submitting your manuscript, go to Information for Publishers. Find the Guide announcements, questions and answers, and other information on NIH's Public Access Web site and in our February 15 article "Think Globally: Share Your Papers With One and All." |
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Reference Letters for Visas or Green Cards May Hit a Red Light
In most cases, NIH staff have their hands tied when it comes to writing
references on behalf of foreign scientists applying for a visa or Alien Registration Receipt Card ("green card"). Our staff may not write letters of reference to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or other federal agency. But they may forward a copy of a performance evaluation or an existing reference letter or, in general, write a reference letter for federal employment.
The regulations prohibit a federal employee from making representations on behalf of another person to a federal entity except for federal employment. Stemming from a criminal statute, they come with a sizable list of do's and don'ts. To untangle the policy, go to NIH's Signature Authority at NIH on Immigration Matters Involving Foreign Scientists. |
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Comment on Equivalent Human Subjects Protection at Foreign Institutions
HHS's Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) wants your comments on a proposed framework for assessing equivalent human subjects protections. The framework will help OHRP determine whether procedures in foreign institutions offer human subjects protections that are at least equivalent to those in the U.S. policy, Subpart
A of 45 CFR 46, known as the Common
Rule.
The March 25, 2005, Federal Register notice solicits public comment through May 24, 2005. It stems from the work of an HHS committee, whose Report of the Equivalent Protections Working Group may also be of interest. Recognizing foreign human subjects protections as equivalent to the Common Rule could facilitate collaborative research and help reduce redundant or conflicting requirements. |
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For Select Agents, It's the Final Rule
After taking
public comments into account, HHS and USDA published "final rules" for possessing, using, and transferring select agents and toxins. The new 42 CFR Part 73 and 7 CFR Part 331 and 9
CFR Part 121 are now in effect, superseding "interim final rules" from 2002.
Though the new rules synchronize HHS and USDA regulations, most items remain the same, including the HHS and overlap lists of select agents and toxins, while the USDA lists have a couple of revisions. Key changes include the use of a single form number for APHIS/CDC Form 1 -- Guidance Document for Application for Laboratory Registration for Possession, Use, and Transfer of Select Agents and Toxins, a revised genetic element section, and clarification of reporting requirements.
For details, view CDC's Select Agent Program Frequently Asked Questions. On the FDA site, see Agricultural Select Agent Program USDA agents and toxins and Select Agents and Toxins Final Rule -- Qs and As. |
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Chuck Hackett Is New Deputy Director, DAIT
Congratulations
to Chuck Hackett, Ph.D., on his new appointment as deputy director of NIAID's Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation. Since joining DAIT in 1996, Chuck has served as chief of the Asthma, Allergy, and Inflammation Branch and head of the Molecular and
Structural Immunology Section in the Basic Immunology Branch.
Before coming to NIH, he was on the faculties of the Wistar Institute and the University of Pennsylvania and was director of cellular immunology at ImmuLogic Pharmaceutical Corporation, in Palo Alto, California.
Chuck has extensive expertise in innate immunity and viral immunology as well as outstanding leadership skills that he will put to good use in his new position. |
Opportunities and Resources
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Outside Funding Opportunity: U.S. Immunodeficiency Network Seeks Applicants
U.S. Immunodeficiency Network is looking to fund new and existing investigators
in genetically determined immunodeficiency
diseases. Apply for funding by submitting a concept proposal
at Primary Immunodeficiency Research Consortium, US Immunodeficiency Network (USIDNET).
A panel peer reviews applications every 120 days; it has awarded over $3.7 million to thirteen researchers in the past twelve months. USIDNET also funds travel scholarships that enable new investigators to attend national and international scientific meetings.
Go to Proposal Central to submit a two- to three-page concept paper, or email Director of Medical Affairs Tamara Brown at tbrown@usidnet.org for more information.
USIDNET research targets more than 120 diseases; all studies have important clinical implications for the affected community. It also offers a centralized repository at The Coriell Institute for Medical Research and a physician disease registry, Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases Registry at USIDNET. |
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Updated Advice on Small Business Applications
Check out our updated Advice on Small Business (SBIR and STTR) Applications. It's got new data on:
- Differences in results for applications submitted on the three receipt dates.
- Percentage of FY 2004 applications awarded for each institute or center.
- Value of responding to a program announcement.
- Increase in funding probability with revised applications.
- Amount and length of support you should request.
- Why you should consider the STTR program.
- Success rates of phase II applications.
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Advice Corner
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Reader Question on No-Cost Extensions
In response to recent questions from grantees, Susan Brobst,
Ph.D., NIAID program officer for liver disease, enteric pathogens,
and HIV infection, asked us to post:
"How do I apply for a one-year no-cost extension to my grant?"
As an NIH grantee, you can extend your grant's project period one time for up to 12 months without additional funds by simply informing your grants management specialist of your plans. The process differs somewhat depending whether you are registered with the eRA Commons:
- If you are registered with the Commons and your grant is in its last year and has not had an extension already, you can notify NIH electronically of a no-cost extension until the last day of the budget period. NIH's IMPAC database will record your new budget and project period end dates and notify your grants specialist.
- If you are not registered with the eRA Commons notify your grants management specialist of the extension 10 days before the project period expires. If you do not send us your request by then, we may ask you to get our approval.
Read more in our No-Cost Extension SOP. |
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