Newsletter
Volume 29 | 2006 | Number 2
Looking for Federal Funding? Try the National Institute for General Medical Sciences at the National Institutes of Health
By Dr. Barbara A. Wanchisen
The Federation of Behavioral, Psychological, & Cognitive Sciences
Even though federal funding of science is shrinking as we speak (this despite the new American Competitiveness Initiative), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) continues to be our biggest source of money. Their “increase” this year did not even meet inflation rates so, of course, they are losing ground. But despite this, they have greater capacities to fund interesting work than any other source we tap, such as the National Science Foundation.
I decided to focus in on one institute that many of you may not realize is beginning to consider behavioral science grants – in fact, they are particularly amenable to scientists in a society like ABA, as you will see. The institute I’m referring to is the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and, while it has not funded a great deal of behavioral science in the past, it is starting to include more these days. Here are a few options.
The Pre-Doctoral Training Program at the Behavioral Sciences-Biology Interface
Here is their thinking on starting up this training program: “In recent years, numerous reports from NIH and the National Academies of Science have concluded that researchers will need to integrate multiple disciplinary perspectives, methodologies, and levels of analysis in order to advance our understanding of health and disease. The need for integration between traditional fields in the behavioral and biological sciences came out repeatedly in discussions of the working group on basic behavioral and social sciences of the Advisory Committee to the Director, NIH. Given this need for cross-training in the basic behavioral and biological sciences, NIGMS has taken the lead in developing a trans-NIH pre-doctoral training program centered on this interface. Although the topic area is different, this new program may be modeled after several successful interfacial training programs such as the NIGMS Chemistry-Biology Interface program. The proposed program will strongly encourage faculty involvement from multiple departments spanning the behavioral and biological sciences and will provide students with cross-training and thesis opportunities in both the behavioral and biological sciences. Dr. Alison Cole requested, and received, Council approval for issuing the program announcement, pending available funds.” Before you take any steps at all (this is true for any kind of federal funding), always contact the program officer for an exploration of your ideas. Here is this program officer’s info: Dr. Alison Cole, colea@nigms.nih.gov, (301) 594-3827.
Collaborative Research for Molecular and Genomic Studies of Basic Behavior in Animal Models
It is likely that the link to the ABA community’s research interests are clear from the title of this program announcement, but let me list a few items from the Executive Summary on this:
- The purpose of the initiative is to facilitate collaborative research, involving behavioral scientists and investigators with expertise in molecular biology and/or genomics that address questions about basic mechanisms of behavior in animal models.
- This PA will use the R01 award mechanism. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend on the number, quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.
- Eligible institutions/organizations include for-profit organizations; non-profit organizations; public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories; and domestic or foreign institutions.
- Eligible principal investigators include any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research. Principal investigators and their collaborators must have complementary expertise in behavioral analysis and molecular biology/genomics.
Applicants may submit more than one application, provided they are scientifically distinct.
For more information, visit: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-038.html.
Bio-Behavioral Methods to Improve Outcomes Research
This initiative is designed to foster bio-behavioral research and develop innovative research designs, methods of measurement, and data analysis techniques. Designs and methods that examine the impact of biologic and behavioral variables on individuals’ health outcomes and quality of life are encouraged. Scientists are encouraged to increase the interface of bio-behavioral research and clinical practice in existing core and exploratory centers and training programs by sharing findings and designing collaborative research projects. Ideally, interdisciplinary researchers should overcome differences in perspectives, incentives, and methods by going beyond usual collaborations to engage others to solve problems creatively and efficiently. For more information, visit: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-05-142.html.
I hope that one or more of these opportunities resonate with you and that you will consider applying for some funding. To read about the NIGMS, visit: www.nigms.nih.gov. And if you have a “not-too-specific” question about these initiatives or the NIGMS, feel free to contact me on bwanchisen@fbpcs.org. I have been watching this institute for a while now and I know that if we don’t jump in and start to take advantage of these initiatives, things could languish. There is nothing like inundating an institute with a lot of creative and exciting applications!