NIH Fiscal Policy for Grant Awards FY 2013

Release Date: May 8, 2013

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

This Notice provides guidance about the NIH Fiscal Operations for the remainder of FY 2013 in light of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (P.L. 113-6), signed by President Obama on March 26, 2013, and the sequestration provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended, 2 U.S.C. 901a. NIH is operating at a program level of $29.15 billion in FY 2013, a decrease of about five percent from FY 2012. Despite the reduced funding, the NIH remains committed to the mission of seeking fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce the burden of illness and disability. In addition, the NIH will continue to manage its portfolio in biomedical research investments in a manner that includes addressing the need for a highly productive pool of researchers by providing support for new investigators.

The following NIH fiscal policies apply in FY 2013:

FY 2013 Funding Levels: Non-competing continuation awards that have already been made in FY 2013 were generally funded at levels below that indicated on the most recent Notice of Award (generally up to 90% of the previously committed level) as described in NOT-OD-13-002, NOT-OD-13-018 and in NOT-OD-13-043. Such reductions may be partially restored, but are unlikely to be restored to the previous commitment level. Therefore, non-competing continuation grants (research and non-research) including those that remain to be issued in FY 2013 likely will be made at levels below those indicated on the Notice of Award. Commitments for continuation awards in FY 2014 and beyond will remain unchanged. The NIH will make an effort to keep the average size of competing awards constant at FY 2012 levels, but is likely to make fewer competing awards in FY 2013.   The NIH awarding Institutes/Centers (IC) will develop and post their fiscal policies consistent with overall NIH goals and available FY 2013 funds.

Inflationary Increases for Future Years: Inflationary increases for future year commitments will be discontinued for all competing research grant awards issued in FY 2013 extending the policy established in FY 2012 (see NOT-OD-12-036), however adjustments for special needs (such as equipment and added personnel) will continue to be accommodated.

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA): The stipend levels established in FY 2012 will be continued in FY 2013 (see NOT-OD-12-033).

New Investigators: NIH will continue to support new investigators on Type 1 (new), R01 equivalent awards at success rates comparable to that of established investigators submitting Type 1 applications. Achievement of comparable success rates should permit the NIH to support new investigators in accordance with the policies established in FY 2009 and subsequent years and described in NOT-OD-09-013 and at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/index.htm.

Salary Limits: Salary limits on grants, cooperative agreements and contracts described in NOT-OD-12-035 will be continued in FY 2013.

Other FY 2012 Legislative Mandates: Other Legislative Mandates described in NOT-OD-12-034 remain in effect.

Additional Information: Additional details on Fiscal Operations, including the specific funding strategies adopted by each IC will be posted at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/financial/index.htm.

Questions about specific awards may be directed to the Grants Management Specialist identified in the Notice of Award.