Patricia L. Mabry Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research National Institutes of Health May 25, 2011 Universit

1. Funding Opportunities at NIH for Systems Science Research Patricia L. MabryOffice of Behavioral and Social Sciences ResearchNational Institutes of HealthMay 25, 2011University of Pittsburgh, ISSH 2011

2. Outline for talk Part I, Programmatic Interests, Funding Opportunities Part II, Tips and advice on applying for NIH Grants: the grant process

3. About NIH & OBSSR • The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is an agency of the U.S. federal government within the Department of Health and Human Services. With a $30.5 billion budget, it is the the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. (http://www.nih.gov/) • NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers (ICs) - each covering a specific domain of research, which is conducted both at NIH (intramural) and at grantee universities (extramural). See a directory of the ICs at http://www.nih.gov/icd/index.html • The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) stimulates behavioral and social sciences research across the ICs. (http://obssr.od.nih.gov/index.aspx)

4. Francis Collins

5. OBSSR Strategic Areas • Trans-/inter-disciplinary science • “Next generation”, basic science (OppNet) • Problem-based, outcomes oriented, strengthen the science of dissemination • Systems science for population impact

6. The Complex Problem Space of Human Health Outside the skin Under the skin

7. “Systems Science” terminology at NIH Systems Science approaches appreciate the complexity, context, dynamic nature, and emergent phenomena associated with the problem under study • SS methodologies include • Computational/mathematical modeling • Agent-based modeling • Dynamic modeling • Network Analysis • Related Terms: • Complexity science • Complex adaptive systems • Non-linear dynamics

8. Potential Areas of Modeling at NIH • Pandemic flu, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and other infectious disease • Tobacco use/substance abuse/addiction • Obesity • Health disparities/inequalities/social determinants of health • Chronic disease – cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes • Health care delivery • Stress, mental illness • Gene x environment interaction • Demography and population health • Climate Change and Health • Developmental issues over the lifespan • Culture

9. Open Funding Opportunity Announcements at NIH in Systems Science SEE HANDOUT FOR UPDATES • PAR-08-224 Using Systems Science Methodologies to Protect and Improve Population Health (R21). • PAR-10-145/146 Social Network Analysis and Health (R01, R21) • PAR-08-212, -213, -214 Methodology and Measurement in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R01, R21, R03). • PAR-10-136/137Behavioral and Social Science Research on Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities (R01, R21) • PAR-08-023Predictive Multiscale Models of the Physiome in Health and Disease (R01). • PA-07-427 (R01) ; PA-07-428 (R21) ; PA-07-429 (R03) Research on Alcohol-Related Public Policies such as Those Detailed in the Alcohol Policy Information System • PA-10-106 (R13) Scientific Meetings for Creating Interdisciplinary Teams

10. Systems Science Program Contacts: Patty Mabry (OBSSR) Bethany Deeds (NIDA) Liz Ginexi (NIDA) Peter Hartsock (NIDA) Tom Hilton (NIDA) Greg Bloss (NIAAA) Mike Spittle (NICHD) Grace Peng (NIBIB) Irene Eckstrand (NIGMS) Stephen Marcus (NIGMS)

11. Data & Cyberinfrastructure Program Contacts: Stephane Philogene (OBSSR) Abdul Shaikh (NCI) shaikhab@mail.nih.gov Wen-ying Sylvia Chou (NCI) chouws@mail.nih.gov mHealth Wendy Nilsen (OBSSR) Mash- up data Cell phone data National survey data

12. Final Thoughts Learn the methods Apply for grants submit papers Volunteer to review – grants, manuscripts Join the BSSR-Systems Science Listserv • To join, contact the listowner, Patty Mabry atmabryp@od.nih.gov Ask me for my “Resource Page” for applying for NIH grant funding mabryp@od.nih.gov

13. Part II: Tips and Advice for Applying for Grants at NIH

14. What are the grant options? NIH has a variety of mechanisms to address most any stage of the scientific development cycle: • R03 – small grant, in general $100K for two years • R21 - Exploratory/Developmental $275K Direct cost for a two year period • R01 – up to $500K per year for up to 5 years • Training and career development awards are also encouraged http://grants.nih.gov/training • Refer to http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htmfor detailed funding info

15. What does NIH do? • The primary aim of NIH is to support research to help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease and disability. • NIH’s mission is to uncover new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone. • NIH works toward that mission by: • Conducting research in its own laboratories • Funding research in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions • Training research investigators • Support of research infrastructure • Fostering communication of medical and health sciences information.

16. How does NIH fund extramural activities? • Grant • No substantial involvement of NIH program staff with the grant recipient on supported activities. • Cooperative Agreement • After the award, scientific or program staff will assist, guide, coordinate, and/or participate in the funded project. • Contracts • NIH specifies a product or service and the contractor delivers according to the specifications sought by NIH

17. Pre-Submission: Planning, Writing, and Submitting Receipt and Referral (Months 1-3) Peer Review (Months 4-8) Award (Months 9-10)

18. Useful resource on various aspects of the grants application process http://funding.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/grants/cycle/default.htm

19. Eligibility for an NIH grant • Each NIH grant program has its own set of eligibility requirements.  Applicants can find eligibility information in section III of each funding opportunity announcement (FOA). • Individual Eligibility • Generally, applicants are not required to be U.S. citizens. • Some NIH programs/mechanisms have a citizenship requirement. Check the FOA before you apply. • Institutional Eligibility • In most cases, domestic or foreign, public or private, non-profit or for-profit organizations are eligible to receive NIH grants. Check the FOA for any specific requirements.

20. Important Notes for Non-U.S. Applicants • In general, NIH has the authority to grant awards to any country. • Iran Iraq, Sudan, N. Korea, Cuba • International grants require foreign clearance • Difference IC’s have different foreign policies, check with P.O. before applying. • However, some NIH grant programs such as the Small Business Innovation Research programs (SBIR/STTR). are limited to U.S. citizens. • Foreign institutions and international organizations are not eligible to apply for Kirschstein-NRSA institutional research training grants, program project grants, center grants, resource grants, SBIR/STTR grants, or construction grants. • http://grants.nih.gov/grants/foreign/index.htm

21. Paths Towards Funding • Investigator-initiated Applications (i.e., the “Parent Announcement” • Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) • Program Announcements (PA) • Requests for Applications (RFA) • “Hybrid” FOAs (PAR and PAS) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/

22. Funding Opportunities Announcements • Program Announcement (PA) • Investigator initiated (80% of NIH funded research) • Statement of ongoing research interest by Institute/Center • In response to a parent PA; typically co set-aside monies • Broad statements of interest • Multiple receipt dates • Active for multiple years • Standing review committees • No special funding

23. Funding Opportunities Announcements Requests for Applications (RFA) • Narrower statements of interest • Single receipt date • Active for brief time • Ad hoc review committee • Funding is “set aside”

24. Funding Opportunity Announcements Hybrids (PAR and PAS) • Board or narrow statements of interest • One or more receipt dates per year • Active for one or more years • Standing or ad hoc review committee • Dedicated or general funding

25. Grant Mechanisms • R03 – Small Research Grants $100K for 2 years • R21 – Exploratory/Developmental Grants $275K direct costs for 2 yrs • R01 – Research Projects $500K /yr up to 5 yrs • R13 – Conference Grants • P01 – Research Program Projects • K-Awards – Training Awards • R43/R44 - SBIR/STTR • F- Fellowship Awards • Training and career development awards http://grants.nih.gov/training • Refer to http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htmfor detailed funding info

26. Peer Review Process Overview **Resubmission: Only 1 Allowed Under New Review Process

27. The New Review Process & Scoring • The new scoring system was implemented for the summer 2009 review cycle, as a part of the Enhancing Peer Review initiative at the NIH. • The prior scoring system ranged from 1.0 to 5.0 in 0.1 increments. • This system was changed because it is difficult to make 41 reliable discriminations of application merit. • In addition, the usefulness of scores for funding decisions was reduced as ratings became increasingly positive and the score range became compressed. • 9-point scale: 1= Exceptional 9= Poor

28. The New Review Process: Enhanced Review Criteria • Assigned reviewers preliminary score on 5 criteria *Significance *Investigators *Innovation *Approach *Environment + Overall Impact Score • Do not have to be strong in all 5 areas • Reformatted summary statements

29. The New Review Process: New Investigators • Goal: Support New Investigators at same rate as established investigators • New Investigator - Not yet a PI on an R01 • Subset: Early Stage Investigator - within 10 yrs of degree • Only for R01s and New Innovator Awards (DP2s) • New Investigators are reviewed together in a cluster “Applications will be given special consideration during peer review and at the time of funding. Peer reviewers will be instructed to focus more on the proposed approach than on the track record, and to expect less preliminary data than would be provided by an established investigator.” http://grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/

30. More Changes: Shorter Page Limits Follow FOA page limitation requirements if different from general application instructions!

31. Enhancing Peer Review at NIH Web Site For more information: http://enhancing-peer-review.nih.gov NIH Peer Review Tips for Applicants

32. Writing a Successful Application: Writing Tips • Concentrate on specific aims • Strong methods • Does it work? Lit review & preliminary data • Study design, analytic model, and primary outcome • Link outcomes to specific measures • Use VALIDATED instruments • Detailed recruitment and retention • Defuse attacks by identifying limitations • Anticipate human subjects issues (HIPAA, de-identified data, IRB…)

33. Writing a Successful Application: Native Guides Program Officer (Health Scientist Administrator – HSA) Scientific Review Administrator (SRA) Grants Technical Administrator (GTA) Three Varieties of Guides “We’re from the government and we are here to help you.” teledirectory.nih.gov/

34. Program Staff at IC’s Contact first and at any time Advice on science, strategy, & policy Start with concept paper and request phone call

35. Grants Management Specialist Handles money questions Contact before submission and after award. Talk to your program officer before your GM. Information about your budget and award administration. 35

36. Scientific Review Officer (SRO) NIH employee responsible for putting together unbiased peer review Contact before and during the review Information on review committee, process, and (rarely) results 36

37. Useful Resources NIH Peer Review Revealed • http://cms.csr.nih.gov/ResourcesforApplicants/InsidetheNIHGrantReviewProcessVideo.htm • Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePort) • Reports, data and analyses of NIH research activities • http://report.nih.gov/index.aspx • NAID Grants Cycle Online Workshop • http://funding.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/grants/cycle/default.htm • The Office of Extramural Research • http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm • SBIR • http://grants.nih.gov/grants/ElectronicReceipt/files/NIH_eSubmission_SmBus_Tips.pdf