News
TIP announces its first competition
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking proposals for high-risk research projects to develop innovative technologies for inspecting, monitoring and evaluating critical components of the nation's roadways, bridges, and drinking and wastewater systems. The first to be announced by NIST's newly established Technology Innovation Program (TIP) is a merit-based competitive program to fund cost-shared R&D projects by single small-sized or medium-sized businesses and joint ventures that also may include institutions of higher education, non-profit research organizations and national laboratories. TIP awards are limited to no more than $3 million total over three years for a single company project and no more than $9 million total over five years for a joint venture. Click here for more information.
NIH announces critical changes to Peer Review System
NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., has announced the end of a year-long effort to determine ways to strengthen NIH peer review. The Implementation Plan Report consists of four main priorities and highlights include:
- Priority 1 - Engage the Best Reviewers: Increase flexibility of service, formally acknowledge reviewer efforts, further compensate time and effort
- Priority 2 - Improve Quality and Transparency of Reviews
- Priority 3 - Ensure Balanced and Fair Reviews Across Scientific Fields
and Career Stages
- Priority 4 - Develop a Permanent Process for Continuous Review of Peer
Review.
Proposals rejected include a mandated minimum effort, restricts on multiple
awards, a bar on amended applications, and the creation a "not recommended
for resubmission" classification. Click here for more information
DOD Releases BAA on Minerva Research Initiative
The Initiative seeks to improve the Defense Department’s ability to address future international challenges through a better understanding of the sources of conflict, such as ethnic strife, disease, poverty, climate change, and failed and failing states. As described in the BAA, “Minerva will bring together universities, research institutions, and individual scholars and support multidisciplinary and cross-institutional projects addressing specific topic areas determined by the Department.
”The program expects to distribute about $50 million over five years, with “typical” grants funded at between $1 million and $1.5 million each year. Visit here for further information.
NIH Mandates inclusion of PubMed Central Reference Number
Effective May 25, 2008: All NIH applications, proposals, and progress reports must include the PubMed Central reference number when citing a paper that falls under the public access policy and is authored or co-authored by the investigator, or arose from the investigator’s NIH award.
The National Institute of Health Mandates Public Access Policy
Effective April 7, 2008:
All final peer-reviewed manuscripts arising from NIH funds must be submitted to PubMed Central upon acceptance for publication.
These manuscripts must be made publicly available no later than 12 months after the official date of publication. http://publicaccess.nih.gov
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