NIGMS funded its first round of renewals for the Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) program in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. In this post, we compare data on the award rates and award sizes of MIRA renewals and R01 renewals to provide some insights into the early outcomes of MIRA renewals. We also examine award rates and budget changes for investigators applying to convert their NIGMS R01s to MIRAs.

In the first section, we present award rates (the percentage of reviewed applications that receive funding), considering both programs overall and then FY 2021 renewal applications specifically. The second section describes the award sizes for the two types of grants collectively, followed by award size changes for FY 2021 renewals. Where sample sizes and privacy concerns allow, we distinguish between established investigators (EIs) and early stage investigators (ESIs) renewing their first grants (“ex-ESIs”) as they often have different characteristics for award rates and sizes. All budget values shown in the post are yearly direct costs.

We want the research community to know about two funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) that NIGMS has joined as part of an NHLBI initiative to support the formation of a multisite study, the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Pneumonia, and Sepsis Phenotyping (APS) Consortium. The study seeks to better define the heterogeneity underlying critical illness syndromes and to identify the mechanisms of illness development and recovery, as well as relationships and overlap between these syndromes. The FOAs are:

With the selection of Dorit Zuk as the NIGMS deputy director, a search is open for an outstanding candidate to serve as director of our Division of Genetics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (GMCDB).

GMCDB supports basic research in three broad areas, including the molecular basis of cellular function, the genetic and biochemical pathways utilized in development and physiological processes, and the mechanism and regulation of fundamental molecular processes. The Cell Biology, Developmental and Cellular Processes, and Genetic Mechanisms branches manage research programs in these areas. GMCDB-supported research lays the foundation for studies on human health and disease. 

UPDATE: The first bullet under the R01, R35, and R37 heading has been expanded to indicate the supplement can’t exceed the direct costs of the parent award.

We’re offering administrative supplements for equipment to select NIGMS-funded research projects, resources, centers, and core facilities. Funds are intended for the purchase of needed equipment that will enhance user access to the resource and/or the impact of the parent grant. The application deadline is March 1.

R01, R35, and R37 grantees:

• Funds are available for the purchase of single equipment systems with requested direct costs up to $250,000, as long as it doesn't exceed the direct costs of the parent award.

To continue our efforts to catalyze the modernization of biomedical research training and career development, we invite eligible institutions with NIGMS training (T32, T34), certain research education (R25), or institutional career development (K12) awards to apply for administrative supplements to develop and implement curricular, training, or administrative activities to enhance:

• Laboratory safety curriculum and a culture of safety in biomedical research training environments (NOT-GM-22-010)
• Safe and inclusive biomedical research training environments (NOT-GM-22-011)
• Undergraduate biomedical research training (NOT-GM-22-012) (T34 and R25 undergraduate programs only)
• Program evaluation capacity (NOT-GM-22-013)
• Mentoring in the research training environment (NOT-GM-22-014)
• Wellness and resilience (NOT-GM-22-015)

Dr. Brian Pike.

I’m greatly saddened to share the news that Brian Pike, a longtime colleague in our Scientific Review Branch (formerly the Office of Scientific Review), passed away on November 18, 2021. 

Brian first joined NIGMS as a scientific review officer in 2002, and he was also acting chief of our review office for much of 2016. He had previously held a faculty position at the University of Florida in the department of neuroscience, where he worked on traumatic brain injury. Before that, he performed postdoctoral research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, studying calpains and caspases in neuronal cell death.

We’re offering another round of administrative supplements to provide summer research experiences for undergraduate students. These supplements are open to all NIGMS-funded investigators with active R01, R35, and R37 awards, including those in their final year of funding. We’ll accept requests under PA-20-272, Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional). The research experiences can be conducted remotely or in person, depending on the institutional policies of each applicant.

UPDATE: This position is now closed. Please visit our Job Vacancies page for more information.

We’re seeking a branch chief for our Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD). Applicants should have interest and experience in the areas managed by the Predoctoral Basic Biomedical and Medical Science Training Programs Branch. Position responsibilities include: programmatic and administrative planning, management, and evaluation; optimization of branch procedures; and oversight of the grant portfolio activities of the branch program directors. The branch chief will also manage a grant portfolio and will work closely with the other TWD branch chiefs and the TWD division director. Outstanding written and oral communication skills and a commitment to enhancing the diversity of the biomedical research workforce are essential. Candidates should have an interest in supervising and mentoring a team of program directors and serving as a leader within the branch, the division, and NIGMS.

UPDATE: Learn more about noncompliance and withdrawal of applications by reading our Frequently Asked Questions.

We frequently come across compliance issues when reviewing NIGMS T32, T34, and K12 institutional training grant applications. We’re providing information to help applicants avoid the consequences of not following the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) instructions, which could result in the withdrawal of applications without review:

UPDATE: These positions are now closed. Please visit our Job Vacancies page for more information.

We’re recruiting scientists for positions in our Division for Research Capacity Building (DRCB); Division of Genetics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (GMCDB); and Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD). The successful applicants will be responsible for scientific and administrative management of a portfolio of research grants, research training and career development awards, and/or capacity building awards, and will stimulate, plan, advise, direct, and evaluate program activities related to their field of expertise.