NIH's Role in the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act (ARRA)
NIH is well positioned to fund the best science in pursuit of improving the length
and the quality of the lives of our citizens, while at the same time stimulating
the economy. NIH conducts and supports outstanding biomedical and behavioral
research, through more than 3,000 institutions across the country—institutions
that have a direct impact upon the local economies in their towns, cities, and
states.
NIH Funding
The Recovery Act provides a total of $10.4 billion, all available for two years—through
September 2010. We expect to spend as much as possible in FY 2009. Below
is a summary:
-
$8.2 billion in support of scientific research priorities
- $7.4 billion is transferred
to the Institutes and Centers and Common Fund (CF), based on a percentage-based
formula
- $800 million to the Office
of the Director (OD) (not including CF)
(For example, support for Challenge Grants),
a program designed to focus on health and science problems where progress
can be expected in two years.
- To support additional scientific
research-related activities that also align with the overall purposes
of the Act
- $1 billion to support Extramural Construction, Repairs, and Alterations
- Allocated to the National Center
for Research Resources (NCRR) in support of all NIH funded research institutions
- $300 million Shared Instrumentation and other capital equipment
- Allocated to NCRR to support
all NIH activities
- $500 million for NIH buildings and facilities
- To fund high priority repair,
construction and improvement projects on NIH campuses that also align
with the overall purpose of the Act
- $400 million for Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER)
Many types of funding mechanisms will be supported, but, in
general, NIH will focus scientific activities in
several areas:
-
We will choose among recently peer reviewed, highly meritorious
R01 and similar mechanisms capable of making significant advances
with a two-year grant. R01 are projects proposed directly from
scientists across the country. We will also fund new R01 applications
that have a reasonable expectation of making progress in a
two-year grant.
- We will accelerate the tempo
of ongoing science through targeted supplements to current
grants. For
example, we may competitively expand the scope of current research
awards or supplement an existing award with additional support
for infrastructure (e.g., equipment) that will be used in the
two-year availability of these funds.
- NIH anticipates supporting new
types of activities that fit into the structure of the Recovery
Act. It will support a reasonable number of awards to jump
start the new NIH Challenge Grant program. This program is
designed to focus on health and science problems where progress
can be expected in two years. The number of awards and amount
of funds will be determined, based on the scientific merit
and the quality of applications.
- NIH will also use other funding
mechanisms, as appropriate.
The Process
NIH is working closely with the HHS Recovery Act Implementation
team to ensure transparency and accountability for their Recovery
Act funds. As NIH Spend Plans are approved through this process,
NIH will post information about these critical projects and their
impact on the economy on www.hhs.gov/recovery.
The impact is expected to extend beyond the immediate scientists
who will receive funds, to allied health workers, technicians,
students, trade workers and others who will receive the leveraged
benefits. We understand to accomplish the goals of the Recovery
and Reinvestment Act, it will take the help of the entire scientific
community. Beyond the immediate economic stimulus, the long-term
impact from the science funded by the Recovery Act will have
a positive impact upon the health of the nation for years to
come.
This page was last reviewed on
March 6, 2009
.