One scientist speaks out against NIH financial cuts

Kerri Mowen of the Scripps Research Institute has submitted seven proposals to the NIH in the past year and so far has not gotten funding for any of them. She spoke to the San Diego Union-Tribune about her belief that the NIH should be immune to budget cuts.

NIH will not fund any new research using chimps

On December 21st the National Institutes of Health announced it will fund no new research projects using chimpanzees as test subjects while it reviews and considers the Institute of Medicine's report on chimpanzee research.

The United States and Gabon are the only countries that still test on chimpanzees.

The #SciFund Challenge on RocketHub

RocketHub is a website that provides a place for creative people with ideas, but without money, to get their projects funded. Website visitors, dubbed "fuelers", can view available projects and donate to the ones that they'd like to see completed. This is called crowdfunding.

Now RocketHub is helping to get science done too, with their #SciFund Challenge project.

NIH Extramural LRP Applications due Nov. 15

The NIH is accepting applications for its extramural Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) (up to $35,000) now through 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on November 15, 2011.

These programs often allow scientific investigators to remain in the research workforce, achieve research independence and focus their efforts on advancing the health of the nation. Opportunities are available in clinical research, pediatric research, health disparities research, contraception and infertility research, and clinical research for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Each year, some 1,600 research scientists benefit from the more than $70 million NIH invests in their careers through the extramural LRPs.

What happens to your NIH proposal once it goes for review?

The NIH has provided informational videos to give you a look at the review process, as well as tips for applicants. Click here to view the videos.

Image via the NIH

Senate passes new patent bill

The America Invents Act, passed by the House in June, was passed by the Senate yesterday and sent to the President. This is the first proposed change to US patent laws since 1952 and it is hoped that it will make patent rights clearer and reduce the amount of time it takes for a new invention to get legal protection. Read more about this at Bloomberg.

Effort Reporting: 10 Things Every PI Should Know

The National Council of University Research Administrators has compiled a list of ten things every PI should know about grants and effort reporting. Read it on their Facebook Page.