NIH transitioning to new forms (version C) in September

Most NIH proposals due September 25, 2013 or after will be using the new Forms C packages in Grants.gov. Be careful that you don't download application packages too early and end up with Forms B - they will not be accepted. More information here: Notice NOT-OD-13-074

NIH posts official notice of fiscal practices for the rest of FY2013

The NIH announced on 5/8 that it is operating on a budget that's about $5M less than FY2012's and therefore continuing awards will continue to be made at lower levels than originally projected. This level is actually better than the 10% decrease seen on continuing awards while the NIH was under a Continuing Resolution (CR) (i.e., without a budget from Congress). Some awards made while they were under the CR may be partially restored with the new budget, which is the good news. The bad news is that all inflationary increases are discontinued and the salary cap remains at Executive Level II ($179,700).

Read the full text of the notice here: NOT-OD-13-064

UPDATE: We've just received a revised notice of award for one of our NIH grants issued while NIH was under the CR, restoring more than $20,000 to the budget. Take heart! And remember, even though funding may be down, you'll never get any money you don't ask for.

NIH releases some information about sequester cuts

Science Insider has an interesting article about the actual impact of the sequestration so far, including Twitter reactions: NIH Details Impact of 2013 Sequester Cuts

New funding search tool for Fordham - Grant Forward

Fordham has purchased a subscription to Grant Forward, the replacement for the well-respected grant database IRIS. The guides for use can be found on their knowledge base page. Please try out this new tool and let us know what you think of it.

NSF provides information page for new reporting process

As mentioned back in January, the National Science Foundation was in the process of moving reporting from Fastlane to Research.gov; on Monday, March 18, this project was completed. NSF has provided an information page on this transition and the submission procedures: Research.gov Project Reports

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.