Complexity Supplements: Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am a cell biologist. A recent Ph.D. in mathematics has approached me about a postdoctoral position. This person wants to do some modeling. Am I eligible for a complexity supplement?

Probably not. You probably do not have sufficient expertise to supervise the modeling part of the project.

2. My research focuses on molecular dynamics calculations of proteins (structure-based drug design, population biology). A recent Ph.D. in computer science has approached me concerning a postdoctoral position to improve the efficiency of the computer programs I am using by recoding them to run on a Beowulf cluster. Am I eligible for a complexity supplement?

Probably not. Your research program is in a field heavily dependent on computations. You should investigate the postdoctoral fellowship program (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-98-082.html).

3. Although my research is supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, it is very much within the mission of NIGMS. Am I eligible for a complexity supplement?

Not through NIGMS. You will have to discuss the possibility of supplementing your grant with program people in NIAID.

4. My collaborator, an associate professor in the math department, needs to recover his summer salary. Is this an allowable cost?

Yes, this type of collaboration is encouraged.

5. My collaborator is a professor in the engineering school at another university. I would have to include him as a subcontract. The indirect cost associated with that subcontract has to be included as a direct cost item. Does this indirect cost count against the $75,000 limit?

No. As stated in the announcement, indirect costs that have to be charged as direct costs because of subcontractual arrangements do not count toward the limit.

6. To do the kind of modeling I think is necessary for this project, I need more than $75,000. May I request a waiver of the limit?

Such a waiver would not be granted. Instead you should apply for a competitive supplement (see http://www.nigms.nih.gov/funding/pa/comsupp.html).

7. An associate professor in the field of engineering wants to do modeling in my laboratory during his sabbatical. Can I cover his salary using a competitive supplement?

Probably. You might also want to look at the possibility of applying for a senior fellowship (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-98-082.html).

8. I've developed some neat programs to model a broad range of cellular biology problems. Now I want to create a user-friendly version to distribute to those who could benefit. Can I get a supplement to pay a software engineer for this purpose?

No. The software hasn't been peer reviewed to justify this expenditure. You may be able to interest a private company in this project.