RBM Project Description: Identify models for stability and predictability of support for instrumentation independent of individual projects

Research Business Models Subcommittee; Logo for Executive Office of the President of the United States

RBM Project Description

Identify models for stability and predictability of support for instrumentation independent of individual projects

Working Group on Alignment of Funding Mechanisms and Scientific Opportunity

Description:
Contemporary research is only as great as the tools available to the researchers. The ability for the best researchers to obtain the required instrumentation and to ensure its operation and maintenance is crucial. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for collaborating investigators to secure predictable and stable funds for the operation and maintenance of essential instrumentation on the collection of their individual projects over time. We therefore need to identify the difficulties or barriers, if any, associated with the technical operation and maintenance of major instrumentation used in support of primarily individual project-based, or laboratory-based research. This project will not review the issues associated with the acquisition of instrumentation, or with larger, shared instruments, or facility-based programs. We will utilize current agency program expertise, existing studies and reviews, and, as appropriate, additional commentary from constituents.

Scope and Key Results:

Develop an inventory and assessment of current agency instrument support mechanisms.
Engage in an interagency review to determine the most effective means of support for the operation and maintenance of research instrumentation among collaborating investigators, e. g. direct grant support, direct cost user fees, specialized service centers, Facility and Administrative rates, etc.
Identify current good practices and options for mechanism(s) of support, as appropriate; and
Determine the need for new agency program support, or revised agency or Federal-wide policy in this area.

	National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892		Department of Health and Human Services
The Subcommittee has established the following email address for receiving comments and questions related to its activities: nstc_rbm@od.nih.gov. [Help page]