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ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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1. NIH Announces New Approach to Grant Funding - The Grant Support Index |
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In a development that will impact many federally-funded researchers, NIH Director Francis Collins announced yesterday a new measure to limit total NIH grant support to individual investigators in order to more evenly distribute grants to early- and mid-career scientists. The measure, called the Grant Support Index (GSI) is described in the email excerpt below from AAMC Chief Scientific Officer Ross McKinney. I encourage all MGH researchers to read this excerpt and go to the referenced website to learn more about the policy.
We are in the process of reviewing which of our investigators at MGH will be impacted by this new measure. Once we have this information, we will confer with research leadership regarding its impact, what feedback we will provide back to NIH during the comment period, and what we can to do mitigate the impact for those here who will be affected.
Feel free to contact me directly if you have questions or thoughts you wish to share regarding this development.
Harry W. Orf, PhD
Senior Vice President for Research
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On May 2, 2017, Dr. Lawrence Tabak, Principal Deputy Director of the NIH, led a conference call regarding a coming change in the NIH’s grants policies. The NIH has been considering ways to address several problematic trends: 1) increasing funding challenges for junior- and mid-career investigators, including a recent marked decline in the share of awards to mid-career scientists; 2) data that suggest faculty with multiple R01 grants are relatively less productive with each new grant beyond the first; and 3) a limited number of investigators who receive a disproportionate amount of the NIH’s funding (i.e. 10% of investigators receive 40% of the total funding).
NIH is proposing to address these concerns by implementing a funding cap to limit investigators to the equivalent of three R01 awards based on a new indicator, the “Grant Support Index”, or GSI. While the exact methodology is still under development, at its core, the GSI would count each R01 as 7 points, and other grants would be scored as less or more depending on the amount of perceived investigator bandwidth they would require. For example, an exploratory R03 might count as 3 points. The NIH would maintain a running count of grants issued to each PI and for any PI whose next grant would take them over 21 points, the investigator would be required to provide a plan for bringing their score back to 21 or less. The details of this process, and of the relative GSI score for each grant type, are still being worked out. The system will not take “effort” into the calculation, just the PI status. Multi-PI grants would have a reduced GSI.
While the goal of this new approach is to increase the support for early and mid-career investigators by redistributing funds, the pathway for improving their funding success is also a work in progress, and is likely to result in pilot programs in multiple institutes and centers in order to see which strategies are most effective. The new policy is expected to affect less than 10 percent of current awardees, and NIH anticipates that it could result in up to 1600 new awards.
Shortly after the call, NIH Director Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D., posted a description of the coming policy to the NIH website, and additional materials are expected. The NIH will be accepting feedback and suggestions over the next few months as they prepare to implement the GSI. Joining Dr. Tabak on the May 2 call were Dr. Mike Lauer, NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research, Dr. Jon Lorsch, Director of the NIH National Institute for General Medical Science, and Dr. Carrie Wolinetz, Director of the NIH Office of Science Policy.
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2. Nature Journals to Authors: Get Hip to ORCID |
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Researchers submitting manuscripts to the Nature family of journals, as well as other Springer titles need to register for a unique author identifier. Click here for more information!
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3. MGH Research Intranet |
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We are excited to announce that the MGH Research Intranet will have a "new and improved look" starting the week of May 8, 2017.
We have made every effort to allow for a seamless transition, including re-directs for any links you may have bookmarked.
As I am sure you are all aware, the purpose of the MGH Research Intranet is to develop and host a wide range of tools, valuable information sources and resources that can be easily accessed by anyone in our community. We hope that you find the updated version of this site just as useful as the previous.
If you have any questions, or feedback regarding these changes, please email MGH Research Management.
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4. NIH Update: implementing limits on grant support to strengthen biomedical workforce; forms updates ahead; new resources |
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Click here to read the latest news from the NIH Office of Extramural Research.
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EVENTS |
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1. MGH/Harvard Cutaneous Biology Research Center Seminar Series |
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Monday, May 8, 4:00 – 5:00 pm, CNY 149, 7th Floor, Isselbacher Auditorium
Eating a good apoptotic meal: molecules, mechanisms, and implications for health and disease
Kodi S. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
Harrison Distinguished Professor and Chair
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology
University of Virginia
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2. MGH Immunology Seminars |
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Monday, May 8, 12:00 PM, CNY 149, 7th Floor, Isselbacher Auditorium
“Computational approaches for dissecting tumor-immune interactions”
Bo Li, PhD, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Thursday, May 11, 12:00 PM, CNY 149, 7th Floor, Isselbacher Auditorium
(will be broadcasted MGH Bulfinch 165)
“Establishing causal connections between microbiota composition and
human disease”
Noah Palm, PhD, Yale University
Contact Person – Fiona Chen (617/726-1527)
http://www.massgeneral.org/ciid/ourseminars/seminarseries.aspx
The MGH Immunology Seminar Series is supported in part by donations from Amgen and Sanofi
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3. Learn the ABCs of H-1Bs |
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Tuesday, June 6, 2017, 2:00-4:00PM, Haber Auditorium
(located in area D on MGH map, accross the hall from O'Keefe Auditorium)
Topics include:
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H-1B eligibility
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Posting public notices required for an H-1B hire
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Wages and Labor Condition Application requirement
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Unannounced on-site audits by Fraud Detection and National Security officers
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Trends in H 1B Adjudications, including RFEs, premium processing suspension, and scrutiny of computer-related positions.
Click here to register
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES |
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1. Tosteson & Fund for Medical Discovery (FMD) Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards |
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Tosteson & Fund for Medical Discovery (FMD) Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards
For Fundamental (Basic) and Clinical Research
Applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the Tosteson and Fund for Medical Discovery (FMD) Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards!
What is it?
The Tosteson & FMD Awards are intended to support junior investigators (MD and PhD Research Fellows/Clinical Research Fellows) at Massachusetts General Hospital pursuing either fundamental (basic) or clinical research.
The ECOR Subcommittee on Review of Research Proposals (SRRP) reviews the applications and selects the awardees. The top three applicants will receive Tosteson Awards - named for the longtime Dean of the Harvard Faculty of Medicine - and the remaining awardees receive FMD awards.
How much is each award?
The awards will include a stipend of $47,500 plus applicable fringe benefits and 15% indirect costs.
When is the deadline?
Thursday, June 1, 2017 - 5:00 PM
How do I learn more and apply?
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Click here to read more and apply online.
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Visit the Tosteson and Fund for Medical Discovery page on the ECOR website here.
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2. Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences Awards |
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Preliminary applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences Awards
What are they?
Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences Awards
The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in their first few years of their appointment at the Assistant Professor level.
MGH is eligible to nominate one candidate.
When is the deadline?
MGH internal preliminary applications: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 – 5:00 PM
How do I learn more and apply?
Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences Awards - Click here
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3. The Smith Family Awards for Excellence in Biomedical Research |
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The Smith Family Awards for Excellence in Biomedical Research
A program of the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation
Preliminary applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the Smith Family Awards for Excellence in Biomedical Research.
What are they?
The Smith Family Awards for Excellence in Biomedical Research
The mission of the Awards Program is to launch the careers of newly independent biomedical researchers with the ultimate goal of achieving medical breakthroughs. The three‐year Award supports newly independent faculty engaged in basic biomedical research. Investigators in the physical sciences (physics, chemistry and engineering) whose projects focus on biomedical science are also encouraged to apply. Clinical trials are outside of the scope of this program however, basic research using human specimens is eligible. In recognition of the importance of research collaboration by the scientific community, collaboration is an additional, but not required, positive ancillary factor. These projects may involve researchers within and/or outside MGH.
MGH is eligible to nominate two candidates.
When is the deadline?
MGH internal preliminary applications: Monday, May 15, 2017 – 5:00 PM
How do I learn more and apply?
The Smith Family Awards for Excellence in Biomedical Research - Click here
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4. Limited Submission Funding Opportunities |
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We ask that all MGH Investigators interested in applying for any limited submission award submit a Letter of Intent (see detailed instructions below) to the MGH Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) by the deadline indicated for each award to be considered to receive an institutional nomination.
Process
Submit a one- to two-page Letter of Intent (LOI) to the MGH Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) via email to ecor@partners.org. In addition to your LOI, please include an NIH Biosketch.
The letter of intent should include:
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Name of the Principal Investigator with appropriate contact information
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A descriptive title of the potential application
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Brief description of the project
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Brief description of why you specifically should be selected to receive institutional nomination for this award
If there is more than one MGH investigator interested in applying for each limited submission award, the LOIs will be used to assess candidates and a review and selection process will take place.
Current Limited Submission Funding Opportunities
Please click here for more information and for our internal deadlines.
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Centers for AIDS Research (P30)
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Developmental Centers for AIDS Research (P30)
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Limited Competition: Data Coordinating Center for Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet (UC4) – NEW!
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George M. O'Brien Kidney Research Core Centers (P30)
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NIAMS Rheumatic Diseases Research Resource-based Centers (P30) – NEW!
If there is a limited submission funding opportunity you do not see listed above or you have any additional questions, please contact Erin McGivney at 617-643-6471.
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5. Private Funding Opportunities |
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Please note that any grant that brings in less than 15% in indirect costs (IDC) will need to be supplemented up to the 15% equivalent by existing investigator or departmental sundry funds. Resolution of this issue must occur prior to submission of the award.
Please contact Corporate & Foundation Relations in the Office of Development at devcfr@mgh.harvard.edu if you wish to submit a proposal in response to any of these funding opportunities. Note that proposals are still routed through the standard InfoEd/Research Management process.
Week of 5/5/17
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Familial RUNX1 Grant Program: Familial RUNX1 Research Grant, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF)
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Psychosocial Grant Program: Psychosocial Family Impact Grants, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF)
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Psychosocial Grant Program: Psychosocial Launch Grants, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF)
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Research and Training Scholarships - ABOG/AAOGF and Pregnancy (SMFM) Foundation/AAOGF, American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society (AGOS)/American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation (AAOGF)
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Grant for Hire Program - PHA Barst Fund Grants, American Thoracic Society (ATS)/ American Thoracic Society (ATS) Foundation
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Research Grant, Histiocytosis Association
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SWOG Early Exploration and Development (SEED) Fund, The Hope Foundation
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Rising Star Research Awards, One Mind Institute (formerly IMHRO)
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Clinical Surgery Fellowship, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation (OMSF)
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Research Support Grants, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation (OMSF)
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Improving Pediatric ADHD Care - Innovative Implementation of a National Guideline, Pfizer, Inc.
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6. NIH Update for Week Ending May 5, 2017 |
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For the latest National Institutes of Health notices, requests for applications, and program announcements, follow this link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/WeeklyIndex.cfm
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In Case You Missed It |
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Reminders of recently posted funding opportunities, deadlines and events |
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MGH ECOR Formulaic Bridge Funding Support
Application Deadline: May 7, 2017; 7th day of each month
Pilot Grants on Nutrition Obesity Research
Application Deadline: June 1, 2017
Center for Genomic Medicine Catalysis Awards
Application Deadline: June 15, 2017
HHMI Announces New Investigator Competition
Application Deadline: June 27, 2017
Boston Biomedical Innovation Center (B-BIC) Accepting PILOT & DRIVE Grant Pre-Proposals
Budgeting for Industry Sponsored Clinical Trials – May 16
ORCD's Annual Research Fellow Poster Celebration – May 18
Epigenetics: An Introduction and Applications – May 23
Introduction to Qualitative Research Design and Methodology - June 1, 8, 15, 22
Spotlight Series: Delegation of Responsibilities in a Clinical Research Study – June 6
Center for Skeletal Research 3rd Annual Research Symposium – June 12
Looking for something you saw in a previous Research News release? Check out our archive!
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