Join Us in Chicago to Learn About NIH Program Funding and Grants Administration

In the spring, I attended my first NIH Regional Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration. I greatly enjoyed meeting with a diverse group of scientists and science administrators. During two “Open Mike” sessions, I had the opportunity to engage in rich conversations with attendees on topics I frequently include on this blog. The conversations were enjoyable and insightful – there’s nothing like discussing such important issues like funding trends, research accountability, and grants policy face-to-face with new and early career scientists.

At the seminar, which was held in Baltimore, I also attended a few other sessions, to get a sense of the breadth of topics and advice presented since. Dr. Erica Brown led an interactive session on finding and understanding funding opportunity announcements; she offered terrific advice on how to hone in on key information, and how this information can help you in seeking NIH funding. Dr. Neil Thakur and colleagues led a highly informative session on the NIH public access policy.

Why am I writing about a seminar that took place in May? Because I have some good news for those of you who didn’t get a chance to come to Baltimore! NIH is hosting a second Regional Seminar this year, from October 26-28 in Chicago. Once again, over the course of two days, approximately 60 NIH & HHS review, grants, program, and policy officials will be providing sessions on over 40 different topics in 3 different tracks: Administrators, New Investigators, and All Interests. Pre-seminar workshops are offered on topics such as human research protections, electronic research administration, intellectual property, and even an administrator’s boot camp.

Our attendees especially speak highly of how the seminar provides opportunities to sit down and talk to NIH and HHS experts in person, through our 1:1 “Meet the Expert” sessions which take place throughout the seminar.

Registration is open now. If you’re a research administrator or investigation new to working with NIH grants, or if you’re looking to brush up on grants policy and understanding the breadth of NIH funding programs, I encourage you to take a look at the agenda, and meet us in Chicago this fall! If these dates don’t work for you, keep up-to-date on upcoming seminars via the NIH Regional Seminar Home Page.