Dr. Monica Bertagnolli Is the New NIH Director
Last month, Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli took office as the 17th NIH Director, the first surgeon and the second woman to hold that position. In her career as an investigator, she was at the forefront of the field of clinical oncology. Her laboratory focused on advancing understanding of the genetic drivers of gastrointestinal cancer development and the role of inflammation as a promoter of cancer growth.
Her priorities as NIH Director include ensuring clinical trials yield the best results by increasing the diversity of participants; embracing the rapid expansion of new learning-based analytical tools and ensuring their use improves care for all people; and restoring trust in science by making it accessible to all communities and inspiring the next generation of doctors and scientists.
Attend Webinar for DEIA Excellence Supplemental Awards
NIAID participates in the uniqueNotice of Special Interest (NOSI): Administrative Supplements to Recognize Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Mentorship. We initially discussed the initiative in our March 2, 2022 article Administrative Supplements Designated for Outstanding Mentors.
NIH’s Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity Office will host a webinar to discuss the NOSI with potential applicants on December 11, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Register at NOT-OD-24-001: Administrative Supplement to Recognize Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Mentorship if you are interested in applying for the administrative supplement.
Prepare Now for Upcoming Opportunity on Systems Modeling
In an October 25, 2023 Guide notice, we announced our intent to publish a funding opportunity to support a Center of Excellence for Systems Modeling of Infection and Immunity Across Biological Scales. The Center will be large—potential applicants should assemble leadership teams with a range of expertise and experience to develop multiple coordinating cores and research projects. If interested, read the notice linked above, then begin planning for meaningful collaborations and projects.
Register for Native American Health Research Webinar on January 25
NIH will host an informational webinar to discuss the Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (IRINAH) Program on January 25, 2024, at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The initiative supports etiologic research; research that develops, adapts, or tests interventions for health promotion, prevention, treatment, or recovery; and research on dissemination and implementation. Refer to the November 16, 2023 Guide notice for registration details.
Note that NIAID participates in the IRINAH R01 notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), but not the related R21 or R34 NOFOs.
Monthly Automated Reminders for Rejected Final FFRs
When your grant concludes, you are responsible for submitting a Final Federal Financial Report (FFR) that covers the entire competitive segment and indicates the exact balance of unobligated funds. NIH may reject the submission if there are discrepancies between the federal share of expenditures reported on the Final FFR and the net cash disbursements reported in the Payment Management System (PMS).
Beginning immediately, NIH’s Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration Closeout Center will send monthly emails to recipients that have Final FFRs in rejected status with instructions to resubmit an acceptable Final FFR in the PMS in a timely manner.