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ARRA and New Investigators

March 18, 2009

Entry of new investigators into the ranks of independent, NIH-funded researchers is essential to the health of this country's biomedical research enterprise. NIAMS makes a special effort to assist new investigators in obtaining independent research funding. For example, NIAMS typically will fund applications from new investigators beyond the payline for funding R01 grants for established investigators.

Several grants funded by ARRA, including 2-year R01 and RC1 Challenge Grants, will be considered by NIH as substantial research funding. A Principal Investigator on one of these grants will not be eligible for New Investigator status on any future applications. Those who currently meet criteria as a New Investigator should carefully consider the trade-off between obtaining a 2-year ARRA award now versus the loss of New Investigator status when applying for a 4-5 year award, such as an R01, in the future.

NIAMS plans to assist new investigators in FY2009 as well. NIAMS will award some current R01 applications from FY2009, which have already been reviewed and scored, for 2 years with ARRA funds. NIAMS will consider all R01 applications between the published payline and some higher percentile, based on availability of funds. For new investigators who are Principal Investigators on an application that falls within these percentiles, NIAMS will endeavor to fund their applications for 4-5 years with normally appropriated funds, rather than provide a 2-year R01 through ARRA funds.