The objective of the MERIT Award is to provide long-term stable support to investigators whose research competence and productivity are distinctly superior and who are likely to continue to perform in an outstanding manner. The provision of long-term stable support to such investigators is expected to foster their continued creativity and spare them the administrative burdens associated with preparation and submission of full-length research grant applications. This may allow investigators the opportunity to take greater risks, be more adventurous in their lines of inquiry, or take the time to develop new techniques. After the initial five years of support the MERIT awardee may request an extension of 3 to 5 more years based on an eight-page progress report and a one-page abstract of the research plan for the extension period.
Nominations
Nominations for MERIT Awards will be made only once a year at the May meeting of the National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council. All competing R01 grants awarded in the current fiscal year will be eligible for consideration if they meet the nomination criteria listed below. At each meeting, Council members are urged to point out to staff candidates whom they consider suitable for MERIT Award nomination from among those that have applications before the Council at that meeting.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) is very selective in making MERIT Awards and, at a minimum, grants should meet the following criteria to be recommended for MERIT Awards:
- The research project should have received support for at least 10 years. Projects that have been supported by NIGMS for less time are eligible if they have been ongoing with other support for at least 10 years.
- The grant must have been approved for at least five (5) years.
- The project must represent the central research focus for the principal investigator. It will be highly unusual for an investigator to have more than one MERIT Award.
- The principal investigator must have an outstanding track record of productivity in the area of research represented by the grant, and there must be reasonable expectation of continued superior achievement.
For each grant nominated for a MERIT Award, staff will prepare a MERIT Award Nomination (blue sheet), discussing the proposed research, the professional background of the principal investigator, and the rationale for nomination. MERIT Award nominations for all NIGMS programs will be presented in a Council book dedicated to MERIT nominations. The Council book will contain the MERIT Award nomination blue sheet, a copy of the latest summary statement, and a copy of the principal investigator's biographical sketch and bibliography.
The Council will recommend to the Director, NIGMS, which of the nominees should receive MERIT Awards. The Director, NIGMS, will make the final decision and will notify the principal investigator.
Extensions
After the initial five years of support the MERIT awardee may request an extension of 3 to 5 more years based on an eight-page progress report and a one-page abstract of the research plan for the extension period. Peer review is provided by the National Advisory General Medical Sciences (NAGMS) Council. The NAGMS Council reviews applications for MERIT Award extensions approximately 15 months before the end of the initial MERIT Award project period (approximately 3.5 years after the beginning of the project period). This allows the applicant sufficient time to prepare an application for study section and Council review without a lapse in funding in the event that the Council decides not to approve an extension. However, because the application is prepared this early, the investigator may not have had sufficient time to reap the full benefits of the MERIT Award, and Council should take this into account when reviewing the extension application. Applications for extension should propose a continuation of the previously pursued line of research and an overall level of effort similar to that of the previous competing segment. Applicants wishing to propose the initiation of major new lines of research and/or significantly increased levels of effort will be advised to submit a regular competing R01 application or a competing supplement at the appropriate time. NIGMS staff will conduct an in depth analysis of the application and will develop a staff recommendation (blue sheet) for consideration by the Council. This recommendation will include an analysis of recent progress and the proposed research and a recommendation for the length of the MERIT Award extension period and budget. Council members will receive the staff blue sheet, the complete extension application, the summary statement from the review of the previous competing application, and any other information that might be pertinent. The Council should consider the appropriateness of the proposed plans and the progress since the most recent competing application. Council should ascertain whether the MERIT Awardee has continued to be a leader in her/his field. The NAGMS Council may advise the Director, NIGMS to take one of the following actions:
- Approval for up to five years extension at a specified budget level for each budget period;
- Deferral for additional information; or
- No extension; the principal investigator will be advised to submit a competing application.
Contact
For more information about NIGMS MERIT Awards, contact Dr. Ann Hagan at 301-594-4499.
