Date: March 4, 2009
Dear Researchers:
By now, you should have received a memo from Paul Murphy concerning funding opportunities that may result from the stimulus package. Some of what I am writing may be redundant if you read Paul’s communication or if you have been following the news on this topic. However, given the unprecedented opportunities that this bill provides, I want to make doubly sure that everyone is aware of what is happening.
As a result of the stimulus package, NIH has been given an additional $10.4 billion and NSF has been given an additional $3 billion to spend over the next two years. Both agencies are in the process of developing funding opportunity announcements and obtaining OMB approval. My guess based upon what I have heard is that we will begin seeing funding announcements within the next two to three weeks and that the deadlines will be fairly tight. The objective is to spend the money within two years in ways that might help stimulate the economy while benefiting science.
Both agencies are going to look back at things that are in the pipeline as well as providing for new opportunities. This may take the form of funding grants that narrowly missed the payline (highly likely at both agencies, with emphasis on projects where significant progress could be made in two years), re-activating previously rejected but meritorious applications to some programs (under discussion but less certain), providing supplements to existing grants (likely at NIH, not at NSF), investing in shared national resources that support research (very likely at NSF in particular), increased opportunities for purchasing both shared and individual project related equipment, increased availability of funds for some programs and all NIH institutes, and funds for construction and renovation. Making the funding for equipment and construction particularly attractive is the plan to eliminate matching fund requirements and increase the upper limit of some programs.
NIH will have increased opportunities for R01 grants, but will give priority to projects where substantial progress within two years is possible. The next deadlines for these are June 5 (new proposals) and July 5 (resubmissions).
NSF will provide increased funding for several programs, particularly $60 million to the Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, $25 million to the Math and Science Partnerships Program, $15 million to a new Professional Masters Science Program authorized in the America COMPETES Act.
The NIH funding breaks down as follows:
- $8.2 billion in support of scientific research priorities, $7.4 billion of which will be transferred to the Institutes, Centers, and Common Fund based on a percentage formula
- $800 million to the Office of the Director (in addition to the Common Fund)
- $1 billion to NCRR to support Extramural Construction, Repairs, and Alterations
- $300 million to NCRR for Shared Instrumentation and other capital equipment
- $500 million for NIH buildings and facilities
- $400 million for Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER)
Peggy Newell
Vice Provost