Clarification of RFA-NS-09-001, NINDS Research Education Programs for Residents and Fellows in Neurology and Neurosurgery (R25)

Notice Number: NOT-NS-08-022

Key Dates
Release Date:  June 27, 2008

Issued by
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (http://www.ninds.nih.gov)

Purpose

This Notice clarifies four issues regarding the recently released Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), RFA-NS-09-001,”NINDS Research Education Programs for Residents and Fellows in Neurology and Neurosurgery (R25)” (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-09-001.html).

  1. The R25 program requires that participants commit 80% of full time professional effort to the research education program while supported by the program. This effort requirement also applies to neurosurgery residents. However, neurosurgeons who participate in the program after completion of residency (i.e. in the fellowship period of support) may commit a minimum of 50% effort to the program while supported. This is consistent with the Career Development (K) award accommodation that allows neurosurgeons to devote a minimum of 50% of full time professional effort to research while supported by the K award.

  2. As stated in the FOA, eligible institutions “must have an accredited medical school.” It is recognized that many accredited medical schools are affiliated with one or more hospitals, and that funding for residents may be managed by an affiliated hospital. If necessary, the hospital that manages the funding of residents may be the applicant institution. However, the PI/PD of the R25 application must have an appointment in the appropriate academic department in the medical school and an appointment at the applicant institution. Moreover, regardless of how many affiliated entities are involved, only one R25 application per residency program will be accepted for review.
  3. Multiple residency programs (e.g. neurology and neurosurgery) at a single institution may submit independent applications or a single application from both programs. Potential applicants are welcome to contact the NINDS Director of Training and Career Development (see below) to discuss advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
  4. Applications may request support for more than one resident in year 1. However, it is expected that there will be many meritorious applications, and it is possible that each successful R25 application will receive support for just one resident in year 1.

Inquiries

Questions about this Notice should be directed to:

Stephen Korn, Ph.D.
Director of Training and Career Development
NIH/NINDS
Neuroscience Center, Room 2186
6001 Executive Blvd MSC 9525
Bethesda, MD 20892-9525
Phone: (301) 496-4188
Fax: 301-480-1080
Email: korns@ninds.nih.gov