Research Commitment Index: A New Tool for Describing Grant Support

January 26, 2017

On this blog we previously discussed ways to measure the value returned from research funding. Several of my colleagues and I, led by NIGMS director Jon Lorsch – chair of an NIH Working Group on Policies for Efficient and Stable Funding – conceived of a “Research Commitment Index,” or “RCI.” We focus on the grant activity code (R01, R21, P01, etc) and ask ourselves about the kind of personal commitment it entails for the investigator(s). We start with the most common type of award, the R01, and assign it an RCI value of 7 points. And then, in consultation with our NIH colleagues, we assigned RCI values to other activity codes: fewer points for R03 and R21 grants, more points P01 grants.

NIH Pilots Electronic Submission for Relinquishing Statement, Type 6 & 7 Applications

September 28, 2012

As part of the continuing effort to move to electronic processes, NIH is now piloting a new eRA Commons module, which allows submission of relinquishing statements.  NIH is also piloting the electronic submission of applications through Grants.gov for post-award changes in grantee organization or grantee organizational status.  The following will be accepted electronically: The Official … Continue reading “NIH Pilots Electronic Submission for Relinquishing Statement, Type 6 & 7 Applications”

October 17, 2012: New NIH RPPR Training Webinar

September 26, 2012

Are you familiar with the new NIH Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)?  The RPPR is a Federal-wide initiative to standardize reporting by creating a uniform format for all interim reporting of research and research-related activities.  The result of this initiative is the RPPR Final Format. As of October 19, all grantee institutions will have access … Continue reading “October 17, 2012: New NIH RPPR Training Webinar”

May I Still Use Forms Which Are Past the Expiration Date?

September 24, 2012

NIH recently issued a Notice on the availability of newly revised forms and instructions for post-award documents, including interim and final progress reports. Revised Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) forms are also now available. Revised competing applications and instructions are expected to be implemented in the summer of 2013, following electronic development of applicable … Continue reading “May I Still Use Forms Which Are Past the Expiration Date?”

NIH Moves Towards Electronic Payments to Foreign Institutions

August 31, 2012

Starting on October 1, 2012, NIH will begin to transition payments for all foreign grantee institutions to the Payment Management System (PMS) using B subaccounts.  This new policy affects the procedure for carrying over an unobligated balance into FY2013. In order to carryover an unobligated, foreign grantees will need to follow the procedure outlined in … Continue reading “NIH Moves Towards Electronic Payments to Foreign Institutions”