April 30, 2008
The April 2008 Issue of the NIH Extramural Nexus, with the latest news, tips and important information for our research community, is now available. In addition, all issues may be viewed from the NIH Extramural Nexus web page.

April 28, 2008

The NIH is requesting ideas from the scientific community, health professionals, patient advocates, and the general public on ways to:  1) address specific barriers to basic, translational or clinical research through development of novel tools, technologies, services, etc., and 2) fill specific knowledge gaps that impede research across a broad spectrum of health science.  Innovative and cross-cutting initiatives, relative to multiple diseases, will be considered for funding through the NIH Common Fund.  The collection of these ideas is the initial step in the process of identifying a new cohort of Common Fund/Roadmap programs for Fiscal Year 2011.

The Request for Information (RFI), announced April 22, 2008 in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, provides criteria for new trans-NIH strategic initiatives and elements of the response, such as project title, approach and length.  Responses will be accepted through Friday, June 2, 2008 at roadmap_ideas@nih.gov.

For descriptive information on the Roadmap initiatives go to: http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/initiatives.asp and for Roadmap funded research please visit: http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/grants/fundedresearch.asp. Additional information on this RFI may be found in the corresponding NIH Guide Notice.

April 14, 2008

As a result of the recent theft of an NIH employee’s laptop which included storage of patient data, the NIH has refocused its efforts on the protection of all information systems (electronic and hard copy) which contain sensitive personal information. Steps are currently underway at NIH to ensure that all computers, laptops and portable electronic devices are encrypted and that NIH employees are educated in the proper handling of sensitive data.

In addition, the NIH encourages grantee institutions and individuals not to use portable electronic devices to store identifiable, sensitive, and confidential information about NIH-supported research or research participants. If they must be used, they should be encrypted to safeguard data and information. These devices include laptops, CDs, disc drives, flash drives, etc. Researchers and institutions should limit access to personally identifiable information through a means of access controls such as password protection.

For more information, see NIH Guide Notice, dated 4/11/2008.

April 14, 2008
The NIH recently announced that it has updated and expanded its compilation of the most frequently asked questions and answers regarding the implementation of the following regulations:   Responsibility of Applicants for Promoting Objectivity in Research for which PHS Funding is Sought as described in Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 50, Subpart F (for grants and cooperative agreements) and Responsible Prospective Contractors as described in Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 94 (for contracts).  The most current version of the FCOI FAQs, along with other vital compliance information may be accessed on the Office of Extramural (OER) Conflict of Interest (COI) Web Page.  Further information regarding this update is available in the NIH Guide Notice, dated 4/10/2008.

April 3, 2008
The March 2008 Issue of the NIH Extramural Nexus, with the latest news, tips and important information for our research community, is now available. In addition, all issues may be viewed from the NIH Extramural Nexus web page.

March 31, 2008
From March 31 st to May 31 st , 2008, NIH seeks information from the public, including all stakeholders, about the NIH Public Access Policy.  Among other issues, the NIH is particularly interested in the following:

1. Do you have recommendations for alternative implementation approaches to those already reflected in the NIH Public Access Policy?
   
   
2. In light of the change in law that makes NIH's public access policy mandatory, do you have recommendations for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy?
   
   
3. In addition to the information previously posted at http://publicaccess.nih.gov/communications.htm, what additional information, training, or communications related to the NIH Public Access Policy would be helpful to you?

Comments may be submitted and viewed at http://publicaccess.nih.gov/comments.htm. 

March 21, 2008
As part of NIH’s continuing educational efforts to improve and enhance compliance with FCOI requirements, we have compiled answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding the implementation of the regulations related to the responsibility of applicants for promoting objectivity in NIH-sponsored research (42 CFR Part 50 Subpart F, grants and 45 CFR Part 94, contracts). These have now been posted on the NIH Office of Extramural Research Conflict of Interest Web site.

March 18, 2008
The NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) has posted its new Web site and on-line reporting tool, RePORT.  This is a must-see Web site, offering a valuable tool for those searching for data and analyses of NIH research programs and activities, as well as links to CRISP, a glossary of reporting terminology, FAQs, and so much more.  This new site will soon replace the current OER Award Information and Data Web site with a new look, more links to commonly searched information, and a variety of data searching tools.

March 10, 2008
On Thursday, March 20, 2008, the NIH will hold a public meeting regarding implementation of the NIH Revised Policy on Enhancing Public Access to Archived Publications Resulting from NIH-Funded Research.

Public Meeting Time and Date: 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 20, 2008
Location : Main Auditorium, NIH Natcher Conference Center, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 45, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892

Important Deadlines and Links:

• Registration required: Please register in advance at http://publicaccess.nih.gov/comments/registration.htm no later than 5pm on March 17, 2008.
• Comments may be submitted in advance: Comments may be provided to NIH Public Access staff in advance of the meeting at http://publicaccess.nih.gov/comments/comments.htm. All comments for consideration at the meeting must be received on or before March 17, 2008. 
• Policy and supporting materials: http://publicaccess.nih.gov.

Later in March 2008, a separate Request for Information (RFI) asking for comments about the Public Access Policy (Policy) and the effectiveness of the Policy's implementation will be announced via the Federal Register.

For more information, see NIH Guide Notice: NOT-OD-08-057, March 7, 2008.

March 5, 2008
The March 5, 2008 Special Edition Issue on Peer Review of the NIH Extramural Nexus, with the latest news, tips and important information for our research community, is now available. In addition, all issues may be viewed from the NIH Extramural Nexus web page.

January 31, 2008
The January 2008 Issue of the NIH Extramural Nexus, with the latest news, tips and important information for our research community, is now available. In addition, all issues may be viewed from the NIH Extramural Nexus web page.

January 11, 2008
NIH announces a policy (NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-08-033) implementing Division G, Title II, Section 218 of PL 110-161 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 ). See http://PublicAccess.NIH.gov/ for more information.

January 7, 2008
NIH recently issued the following important changes to grant application guides and the application for appointment of study section members:

• NOT-OD-08-026 - Modified Application Submission, Referral and Review for Appointed NIH Study Section Members
• NOT-OD-08-027 - NIH Policy on Late Submission of Grant Applications
• NOT-OD-08-028 - Revised PHS 398 (DHHS Public Health Service Grant Application) Now Available
• NOT-OD-08-029 - Revised PHS 2271, PHS 3734, and HHS 568 Forms Now Available
• NOT-OD-08-030 - Revised PHS 2590 (DHHS Public Health Service Noncompeting Continuation Progress Report) Now Available
• NOT-OD-08-031 - Appendices to Paper PHS 398 (DHHS Public Health Service Grant Application) to be Submitted on CD

December 21, 2007
Recent legislation has expanded the scope of ClinicalTrials.gov. See if and how it applies to you in NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-08-023.

December 19, 2007
It’s that time of year when inclement weather can close an applicant organization/institution unexpectedly and may affect timely submission of grant applications. As a reminder, the NIH recently posted NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-08-019. It is expected that the delay will generally not exceed the time period that an applicant organization/institution is closed. Please note that a cover letter should be submitted with an explanation for the late submission.

December 19, 2007
The NIH recently changed the name of its Scientific Review Administrators to Scientific Review Officers. These individuals are responsible for the management of the NIH peer review process of grant applications and contract proposals, as well serving as the designated federal official responsible for a peer review meeting. More information is available in NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-08-021.

December 14, 2007
Dr. Miles Novy, a well known and respected researcher who has devoted most of his life to the study of pregnancy, was recently targeted for property damage by domestic terrorists. Terrorist acts are absolutely intolerable. (See the entire contents of this story in the NIH News Release).

November 29, 2007
The November 2007 Issue of the NIH Extramural Nexus, with the latest news, tips and important information for our research community, is now available (also available in PDF format - 1.44 MB). In addition, all issues may be viewed from the NIH Extramural Nexus web page.

November 3, 2007
Violent and destructive acts carried out by extremists who object to the use of animals in research are a real and growing threat to public health. Important research that can improve and lengthen human life is seriously endangered by these attacks. (See the entire contents of this story in the NIH News Release).