Changes Coming to Applications and Peer Review in January 2025

NIH is implementing multiple changes that will impact the preparation and peer review of most grant applications submitted to NIH for due dates on or after January 25, 2025. Although each of these initiatives have specific goals, they are all meant to simplify, clarify, or ensure greater fairness.

Rethinking Population Descriptors in Genetics and Genomics Studies

Assuming that biological or genetic differences relate directly to racial or ethnic categories can lead to false scientific conclusions and perpetuate bias. Misuse of population descriptors has harmed marginalized groups and promoted scientific racism. These limitations in existing population descriptors in genetics and genomics led 14 NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices to sponsor the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to establish an interdisciplinary committee of experts and explore the issue.

Inviting Comments and Suggestions on Updating the NIH Mission Statement 

NIH has issued a Request for Information (RFI) inviting feedback on a proposed update to the NIH mission statement, in response to recommendations from the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) Working Group on Diversity, Subgroup on Individuals with Disabilities

Case Study in Research Integrity – Banned From Supervising, Can’t Go in Lab, but No Impact on NIH Funded Research?

We have seen rising numbers of allegations related to harassment, discrimination, and hostile work environments since 2018 (when we first started tracking them). In many cases, we successfully work with recipient institutions to put appropriate measures in place to address unsafe working environments. However, too often we hear from institutions that a PI has violated the institution’s policies and is no longer permitted to supervise students or staff, but there will be “no impact on NIH-funded work.” We have a problem with this response.

Learn More About UNITE’s Progress Towards Ensuring Equity and Opportunity in Biomedical Research

The UNITE E Committee recently updated the research community on their progress towards creating a “multipronged strategy to advance racial equity and create the most inclusive biomedical research environment possible.” We wanted to briefly share a few of their efforts here.

Update on Simplifying Review Criteria: Analysis of Comments from the Request for Information

As discussed in the blog, “Update on Simplifying Review Criteria: A Request for Information (RFI),” NIH issued an RFI—from December 8, 2022, through March 10, 2023—seeking feedback on its proposed plan to revise and simplify the framework for the first level of the peer review of research project grant (RPG) applications.

Mentored Career Development Application (K) Funding Rates by Race-Ethnicity FY 2010-FY 2022

In this post, we analyze funding rates for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 to FY 2022 mentored career development award (K) applicants according to the race-ethnicity of designated Principal Investigators (PIs).

Analyses of Demographic-Specific Funding Rates for Type 1 Research Project Grant and R01-Equivalent Applications

In this post, we analyze funding rates for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 to FY 2022 Type 1 Research Project Grant (RPG) and Type 1 R01-Equivalent applicants according to the race-ethnicity of designated Principal Investigators (PIs).