Broadening the Pool of NIH Reviewers

January 27, 2020

The scientific peer review process benefits greatly when the study section reviewers bring not only strong scientific qualifications and expertise, but also a broad range of backgrounds and varying scientific perspectives. Bringing new viewpoints into the process replenishes and refreshes the study section, enhancing the quality of its output.

Case Study in Review Integrity: Asking for Favorable Treatment

January 10, 2020

What happens when a former colleague contacts you, a reviewer, out of the blue to ask if the application on which he is a principal investigator could be treated favorably at the review meeting? Do you brush off the investigator and figure you will not let the contact influence your review of that application? Or do you instead immediately notify NIH? Intrigued? We have a case for you (based on true stories, details have been changed slightly and names have been fictionalized). Read on.

NIH & You: Join Us at the 2020 NIH Regional Seminars in Baltimore & Nashville

January 9, 2020

If the year 2020 has you looking for an opportunity to learn more about working with NIH extramural research, then consider the NIH Regional Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration. These unique and informative seminars will provide you with the latest policy and process information, as well as guidance and resources directly from NIH & HHS experts.

Celebrating 20 Years of ClinicalTrials.gov and Looking to the Future

January 7, 2020

NIH’s National Library of Medicine has launched an effort to modernize ClinicalTrials.gov to deliver an improved user experience on an updated platform that will accommodate growth and enhance efficiency. Creating a roadmap for modernization requires feedback from a wide array of stakeholders on how to continue serving, balancing, and prioritizing their varied information needs. As ClinicalTrials.gov celebrates its 20th anniversary on February 29, 2020, we’re asking for your input on how it can best continue to serve your needs for many more years to come.

New “All About Grants” Podcast on Certificates of Confidentiality

January 7, 2020

In this next installment of the NIH’s All About Grants podcast series, we delve into what you should know about certificates. Lyndi Lahl, a Human Subjects Officer within the NIH’s Office of Extramural Research, explains exactly what are certificates, when is disclosure of participant data allowed and when it is not, how to know if your study should have a certificate to protect participants, where to find a certificate associated with your study, and much more.

Important Reminders for Fellowship and Career Development Applicants

January 6, 2020

Planning to apply for a fellowship or career development award? If so, don’t forget your ORCID iD. We encourage everybody from graduate students to senior scientists to register for an ORCID account and link it to their eRA Commons personal profile. But for some grant applicants, it’s an absolute must. ORCID iDs are required for PD/PIs on individual fellowship and career development applications submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2020.