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NIDCD FY 2008 Funding Guidelines

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) distributes its resources among many diverse programs and mechanisms. The Institute is committed to funding the largest number of meritorious projects possible, while allowing the flexibility needed to support selected program priorities and respond to emerging scientific opportunities.

Once the President signs the NIH Appropriation for a fiscal year, the funds for new and competing renewal research grant applications are allocated for the fiscal year. The Institute establishes general guidelines for funding based on scientific merit, responsiveness to the Institute's priorities, and availability of funds. Special consideration is also given to New Investigators.

For FY 2008, the following guidance applies to noncompeting grant applications:

The NIDCD will implement the NIH Funding Policy for Non-competing Research Awards by providing 98.7% of the recommended level for most noncompeting continuation awards.  This support level applies to all NIDCD-supported grant mechanisms, except Training Grants, Fellowships, Career Awards, the Small Business Program, the Small Grant Program and Conference Grants.  These grant mechanisms will be supported at their fiscal year 2008 recommended level due to their relatively modest support level or because of program requirements.  Additional information on the NIH Fiscal Policy for Grant Awards is available at:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-036.html

For FY 2008, the following guidance applies to competing grant applications:

Budget Reductions
Percentiled R01 applications will be supported based on a case-by-case review of grant applications by program directors. Typically, no reductions will be taken on applications submitted from New Investigators or for those with recommended direct costs equal to or less than $150,000 in each recommended year of support. All other percentiled R01 applications will be supported on average at an 85% level for applications with first year direct costs of $400,000 or less and at an 80% level for those applications with first year direct costs exceeding $400,000.

Future year commitments on FY 2008 new and competing renewal R01 awards that are over $250,000 will be limited to a 3% escalation factor. Modular grants do not receive a 3% escalation factor in future years.

Support for NIDCD competing training grant and fellowship applications will be in accordance with the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) program levels. In addition, support for postdoctoral trainee positions is limited to four slots.

Career development grant applications are generally supported at the recommended levels.

All other competing grant applications will be reviewed by program directors to determine an appropriate support level.

NIDCD allocates the majority of its research project grant funds to applications in ranked (percentile or priority score) order. However, a proportion of the funds are reserved for projects that may be outside this range but are of particular programmatic interest to the Institute, for example support of New Investigators.

Reductions in Time
NIDCD, along with the rest of NIH, maintains an average project period length at approximately four years. Generally, no reductions in time are applied to applications submitted from New Investigators.

Many factors occurring throughout the year can affect these operating guidelines. Thus, they are subject to change. For the most current information, it is always best to check with an appropriate Institute official. A listing of NIDCD extramural staff can be found at NIDCD Extramural Staff.

Additional Information and Resources for Grantees

Officials from institutions that may be receiving NIH grant support for the first time should read the NIH Welcome Wagon Letter. All relevant extramural funding policies can be found at the NIH Office of Extramural Research website entitled Grants Policy and Guidance. Additional information on modular applications and awards is posted at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/modular/modular.htm

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