July 10, 2008

1. Working in Extramural (after Intramural) -- Discussion with NCI Staff Scientists and Staff Clinicians July 10, 2008 Christopher L. Hatch, Ph.D.Chief, Program Coordination and Referral BranchDivision of Extramural Activities, NCI

2. C. Hatch, past  present …B.S. Ph.D. NCI Intramural Scientist Journal Editor Scientific Review Administrator Assistant/Advisor to Div. Dir. Branch Chief…

3. Position of Unit in Organization NIH NCI Division of Extramural Activities (DEA) (one of five NCI extramural divisions) Office of Review, Referral, and Program Coordination (ORRPC)(one of two DEA offices in DEA) Program Coordination and Referral Branch (PCRB) (one of four branches in ORRPC)(where I am)

4. Roles (Functions) of Unit Program Coordination • Assistance in the Development and Publication of Research Funding Initiatives Referral • Referral of applications to 50 cancer activity areas within the NCI extramural divisions, offices, and centers • Negotiations on assignments to and from NCI and other ICs • Clearance to submit certain applications (R13, R15, R21, P01) Public Inquiries re: Application Processes • First Point of NIH/NCI Contact for Many Applicants Review • Management of peer review of certain specialized grant applications and contract proposals

5. Mission of Unit • To support NCI colleagues and extramural cancer scientists through: • Assistance in the development of high quality funding opportunities; • Assignment of grant applications to the most appropriate research program areas within the extramural components of the institute; • Management of the fairest possible peer reviews of grant applications and contract proposals; and • Provision of useful guidance about NIH’s grant application, referral, review, and funding policies and processes.

6. Chain of Command • Associate Director, NCI DEA ORRPC • Director, NCI DEA • Director, NCI

7. Roles of Self in Unit and Organization • Manager • Supervisor • Colleague • Writer/Editor • Science Administrator • Analyst • Student, Educator, Mentor • Innovator • Leader

8. Colleagues and Peers • Program Coordinators • Referral Officers and Liaisons • Program Directors • Scientific Review Officers • Grants Management Specialists • Budget Analysts • Program Analysts • Support Staffers • Branch Chiefs

9. Direct Reports • Two Program Coordinators • Three Referral Officers • One Program Analyst • One Program Support Administrator • (One Extramural Support Assistant [from DEAS])

10. Direct “Customers” • Investigators/Researchers (i.e., anyone who might apply for research funding) • Applicants (i.e., anyone who is applying for research funding) • Grantees (i.e., anyone who has a grant or cooperative agreement) • Program and Review Staff Members

11. My Biggest Satisfactions • Working at the intersection of program, review, referral, and policy areas. • Interacting with and supporting my colleagues. • Fostering career development. • Helping program staffers improve the management and communication of science programs and opportunities. • Helping applicants and grantees navigate and understand opportunities, policies, and processes. • Being a perpetual student of science.

12. My Biggest Challenges • Understanding the needs and hopes of employees at all levels. • Communicating equally well with employees at all levels. • Fostering career development. • Balancing multiple roles and responsibilities appropriately. • Handling the bigger picture rather than dealing with the multitude of tasks on our “plates” (or Thinking long-range rather than focusing on the here-and-now).

13. Vision for Unit • To advance cancer research efforts by: • Working well, individually and together, with pride and contentment; • Promoting plain scientific language; • Serving the best interests of the National Cancer Institute and those it serves; • Anticipating and dealing with changes appropriately; and • Making grant application processes easier and more efficient for all concerned.

14. NIH-Level Activity • Chairperson, NIH Staff Training in Extramural Programs (STEP) Committee, 2008 - 2009

15. Mission for STEP • STEP is a volunteer organization of 25-35 experienced NIH extramural staff members who, each year, design, develop, and offer a variety of training activities open to all of the NIH extramural staff. For more than four decades, STEP has pioneered innovative programs that address important issues and concerns of NIH extramural staff.

16. How did I make the transitions? NCI Intramural Scientist Journal Editor Scientific Review Administrator Assistant/Advisor to Div. Dir. Branch Chief…

17. Things to consider before… • Having the education and training • Achieving accomplishments in science • Having expertise on “trees,” but understanding of “forest” • Demonstrating administrative, management, and leadership skills • Exhibiting people skills • Having/using good communication skills • Understanding and respecting other “side” • Putting effort into CV and job applications

18. Things to consider after… • Gaining understanding of new role(s) • Talking to others at all levels • Finding mentor(s) • Taking courses and studying the “business” • Looking forward, not backwards • Succeeding (internally) by working well individually and with, through, and for others • Succeeding (externally) by helping other scientists advance science