Your One Page Guide to Rigor and Reproducibility

July 31, 2016

We’ve developed a one-page guide to explain how to address rigor and reproducibility in your NIH application. This new resource walks through each of the four key areas of scientific rigor, explaining how and where to address each area in your application. In addition we’ve linked to additional resources in case you need more in-depth … Continue reading “Your One Page Guide to Rigor and Reproducibility”

Reminder for Fellowship Applicants using FORMS-D

July 31, 2016

If you are planning to submit a fellowship application for the August 8th due date, be sure to note the following changes that come with the FORMS-D application packages, and the advice highlighted in July’s NIH eSubmission Items of Interest: Among the changes are the addition of several new attachments: …..

Don’t Panic Over Expiration of Fed-wide Forms – Continue Using Current Forms Until Further Notice

July 30, 2016

The forms in our FORMS-D application packages labeled “R&R” or “Research & Related” list an expiration of June 30, 2016 and the Project/Performance Site Location form is due to expire on September 30th. As described in a recent NIH Guide notice (NOT-OD-16-120) and an NIH eSubmission Items of Interest article, there’s no need to panic. For now, keep using the forms we post with our funding opportunity announcements …..

xTRACT: An Easier Way to Complete Training Tables for Your Grant Application or Progress Report

July 29, 2016

The xTRACT module, accessible via eRA Commons, helps applicants and grantees create training data tables for institutional training grant applications and progress reports (RPPRs). xTRACT can save investigators and administrators time preparing training table information, and provides grantees and NIH with training table data in a way that can be reused for future submissions and will be more readily available for analysis. Using Commons IDs and xTrain appointment data, xTRACT prepopulates the tables from data we already have ….

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

July 28, 2016

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. …. 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 …..

Who At NIH Can Answer My Question About….?

July 25, 2016

NIH is a big place, and we understand how it may seem daunting to identify the right person to talk to as you go through the various steps of seeking NIH funding. From idea, to submission, to post-award management, we are here to help. We developed a new resource to help you contact the NIH staff member who can best help you along each phase of the application and award process. ….

The Predictive Nature of Criterion Scores on Impact Score and Funding Outcomes

July 22, 2016

In order to develop and implement data-driven policy, we need to carefully analyze our data to understand the “stories behind our metrics.” Without analyzing our data to know what’s going on, we’re essentially flying blind! A group of authors from the NIH Office of Extramural Research sought to investigate the stories behind peer review scoring and why some grant applications are more likely to be funded than others. They extended analyses previously reported by NIH’s Office of Extramural Research and National Institute of General Medical Studies. Last month, they published their analysis of over 123,000 competing R01 applications and described the correlations of individual component peer review scores – significance, investigator(s), innovation, approach, and environment – with subsequent overall impact score, and funding outcome. ….

Five Ways Supervisors Can Promote Research Integrity

July 21, 2016

Upholding the integrity of scientific research takes contributions from scientists, trainees, administrators, and policymakers alike. A new infographic from the Department of Health and Thumbnail of infographic links to full PDFHuman Services Office of Research integrity (HHS ORI) shares five tips that supervisors can take to promote research integrity in their workplaces: 1. Be Available and Approachable – Take the time to cultivate ….

Tip for Administrators: Keep Track of Commons User IDs at Your Institution Using This Tool

July 21, 2016

Are you a research administrator who has wondered, how can I get a list of eRA Commons account holders at my university? A tool in eRA Commons can help!

Through the eRA Commons Account Management System (AMS), you can use the AMS User Reports tool to search for account holders at your institution, and export this information into a list. AMS User Reports also allows you to search ….