NSF publishes notice regarding sequestration

The National Science Foundation expects to have to reduce FY 2013 appropriations by 5% and reduce the number of new research grants by 1,000, but avoid any impact to existing grants. The entire notice is here.

NIH publishes their plan in the event of sequestration

NIH Operation Plan in the Event of a Sequestration
Notice Number: NOT-OD-13-043

Key Dates
Release Date: February 21, 2013
Related Announcements:
NOT-OD-13-002

Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Purpose

The NIH continues to operate under a Continuing Resolution as described in NOT-OD-13-002, and therefore all non-competing continuation awards are currently being funded at a level below that indicated on the most recent Notice of Award (generally up to 90% of the previously committed level). Final levels of FY 2013 funding may be reduced by a sequestration. Despite the potential for reduced funding, the NIH remains committed to our mission to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.

Should a sequestration occur, NIH likely will reduce the final FY 2013 funding levels of non-competing continuation grants and expects to make fewer competing awards to allow the agency to meet the available budget allocation. Although each NIH Institute and Center (IC) will assess allocations within their portfolio to maximize the scientific impact, non-competing continuation awards that have already been made may be restored above the current level as described in NOT-OD-13-002 but likely will not reach the full FY 2013 commitment level described in the Notice of Award. Finally, in the event of a sequestration, NIH ICs will announce their respective approaches to meeting the new budget level.

Link to the notice.

Federal grantees - prepare for possible belt tightening

As the sequestration decision deadline of March 1st approaches, those of you with Federal sponsors may want to start thinking about the possibility that your next year's budget could be cut. An Office of Management and Budget memo dated January 14th to the heads of executive departments and agencies provides guidelines to follow in the event that sequestration goes into effect; among other tips is "review grants and contracts to determine where cost savings may be achieved in a manner that is consistent with the applicable terms and conditions."

You can read the whole memo here.

NIH follows NSF in requiring use of new reporting structure

The National Institutes of Health will require the use of the new Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) for all awards that follow SNAP, and for fellowship awards, that were awarded on or after July 1, 2013. You will still be able to submit your progress reports through eRA Commons, but you will need to use the new RPPR Module. For more information, please see this notice.

February 25th - Learn about research opportunities in Germany

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) is holding a workshop on February 25th from 6-8pm entitled, "Yes You Can... Advance your Research Career in Germany/Europe" at the German House Auditorium, 871 UN Plaza.

Topics to be addressed include:
• Research career opportunities in Germany
• Funding schemes of the DFG to promote young researchers (Temporary Positions for Principal Investigators, Emmy Noether Program, Heisenberg Program)
• Funding schemes of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and German Academic Exchange Service
• European funding schemes (Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship Program, ERC Starting Grant, ERC Advanced Grants)

You can RSVP here.