FY 2012 Funding Strategy for Research Grants

Introduction:

The mission of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. NIMH’s work toward this mission is guided by our Strategic Plan and by our Strategic Research Priorities based on that Plan. NIMH’s funding priorities are also highlighted in the President’s Budget Request each fiscal year (FY).

Information on NIMH’s budget for current and previous fiscal years, and the President’s Budget Request for FY 2013, may be found on NIMH’s budget page.

Funding:

NIMH will continue to apply National Institutes of Health (NIH) cost management guidelines when making fiscal year 2012 grant awards. Funds will be restored as appropriate for FY 2012 awards previously made at the 90% provisional amount. Future year funding policy may change based on appropriated funds.

Non-Competing Continuation Grants:

Modular Grants: FY 2012 modular grant awards will be issued at full committed levels, and we expect that future year commitments will remain consistent with the FY 2012 awarded amount.

Non-Modular Grants: FY 2012 non-modular grant awards will be issued at a level consistent with FY 2011, and inflationary increases for future years will be discontinued.

Small Business, Research Centers, Research Career Development, Other Research, and Research Training Awards: FY 2012 awards will be issued at a level consistent with FY 2011, and inflationary increases for future years will be discontinued. Research Training stipends will increase by 2 percent (see stipend table below).

Competing Research Grants (New, Renewals, and Competing Supplements)

This year NIMH anticipates funding over 500 new competing research project grant awards. While NIMH does not have a specific pay line, the Institute expects to support at least three quarters of the applications under the 20th percentile. NIMH will support sufficient applications from early stage investigators to ensure their success rate is equivalent to established investigators. Funding decisions are generally made in priority score or percentile order. Final funding decisions are based on alignment with the Strategic Plan, consideration of program relevance, commitment towards funding Early Stage Investigators (ESIs), availability of funds, and recommendations from the National Advisory Mental Health Council.  Future year commitments for competing grant awards may be adjusted to reduce the number of out-year commitments.

Modular Grants: With the exception of specific programmatic adjustments, modular grant awards will be fully funded in FY 2012.

Non-Modular Grants: With the exception of specific programmatic adjustments, non-modular grant awards will be fully funded in FY 2012, and future year commitments for competing grant awards may be adjusted to reduce the number of out-year commitments.

Small Business, Research Centers, Research Career Development, Other Research, and Research Training Awards: FY 2012 awards will be funded at program recommended levels and inflationary increases for future year commitments will be discontinued.

Early Stage Investigators:

NIMH is committed to supporting new investigators and facilitating the independence of emerging scientists. The Institute considers early stage new investigator status (New Investigators who are within 10 years of completing their terminal research degree or within 10 years of completing their medical residency at the time they apply for R01 grants) as a priority in funding decisions. This means that a research grant from a new and/or early stage investigator may be funded out of order and at a percentile that is the same or higher than grants not selected for payment from established investigators. We strongly encourage early stage investigators to contact a program officer in their area of research to receive technical assistance with the application prior to submission.

Research Training and Career Development Awards:

NIMH is committed to research training that prepares junior and early-to-midcareer scientists to conduct innovative multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research in areas of program relevance. Given the lower rate of increase in the research budget in recent years, NIMH has determined that it is important to strike a strategic balance between building the pipeline of potential new investigators and maintaining a viable pay line to support research projects. We will continue to invest significant funds to train investigators in areas highly relevant to the Institute’s mission. A two percent stipend increase will be allowed in FY 2012 for research training grants.

Stipends:

The following annual stipend levels apply to all individuals receiving support through institutional research training grants or individual fellowships.

Undergraduates in the MARC or COR Programs:

Predoctoral and Postdoctoral: