How Virtual Convenings Can Enhance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

February 24, 2022

Our latest guest post describes the NIH Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity Office’s commitment to hold all seminars, conferences, and meetings entirely online throughout 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic-induced shift to online events has led to a growing body of research on the impact of virtual scientific convenings. A review of this literature suggests that an entirely or primarily virtual format can enhance meeting access, diversity, and climate.

Notice of Change to NIH’s Policy on Special Council Review of Research Applications

February 24, 2022

NIH recently announced an update to the Special Council Review (SCR) policy to align with updated Other Support disclosure requirements. Effective with the FY 2022 May/June Council round, Advisory Council members will continue to provide additional consideration of new and renewal applications from well-supported investigators who currently receive $2 million or more in total costs, per year of active NIH funding.

Salary Cap Guidance

February 17, 2022

While operating under a continuing resolution, all legislative mandates that were in effect in FY 2021 for NIH grant, cooperative agreements, and research and development contract awards remain in effect. This includes restricting direct salary support to the salary limitation set at Executive Level II of the federal pay scale. The Office of Personnel Management released new salary levels for the Executive Pay Scale that became effective in January 2022.

K99/R00 Candidates Can Continue to Take Advantage of COVID-Related Eligibility Extensions

February 17, 2022

Under normal circumstances, individuals must have no more than four years of postdoctoral research experience to be eligible to apply for a K99/R00 Pathway to Independence award. Due to ongoing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, NIH will continue to allow up to a two-receipt cycle eligibility extension for candidates on K99/R00 applications to parent announcements. If you are planning to take advantage of this flexibility, there are a few details to keep in mind.

Seeking Public Comment on CSR’s 2022 – 2027 Strategic Plan

February 15, 2022

The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) draft strategic plan is now open for public comment. This 5-year plan (for 2022–2027) will serve as our roadmap as CSR advances its mission of seeing that NIH grant applications receive fair, independent, expert, and timely scientific reviews—free from inappropriate influences—so NIH can fund the most promising research.

How Are Childcare Costs for NRSA Trainees and Fellows Requested?

February 10, 2022

Our policy team continues to receive questions about how institutions can request childcare costs for full-time predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees appointed on NRSA institutional research training awards and full-time NIH-NRSA supported fellowship positions. These and many other questions related to childcare costs can be found in our Childcare Costs FAQs. Even if you have requested childcare costs in past Fellowship applications, the process is slightly different with the new FORMS-G applications and the updated FAQ in this post is worth another look.

New NIH Administrative Supplements Available to Support Diversity Mentorship

February 9, 2022

I am pleased to announce the availability of a new NIH administrative supplement that recognizes the crucial role outstanding mentors play in fostering future leaders in the biomedical research enterprise. Qualified investigators can now submit proposals in response to the Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity (COSWD)-led Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) NOT-OD-22-057: Administrative Supplements to Recognize Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Mentorship. Proposals are due by April 7, 2022.