Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders

(1) To support extramural research funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) including: basic research that explores the fundamental structure and function of the brain and the nervous system; research to understan

The mission of NINDS is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease for all people.

Research Grants: Any public, private, nonprofit, or for-profit institution is eligible to apply. For-profit institutions are not eligible for Institutional National Research Service Awards but are eligible for Individual NRSAs. All proposals are reviewed for scientific merit, for evaluation of the qualifications of the investigators, for adequacy of the research environment, and for significance of the problem. Approved proposals compete for available funds. All Career Development Program awardees, with the exception of awardees of the Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00), must be citizens or have been admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Candidates must be nominated for the program by a nonfederal public or private nonprofit institution located in the United States, its possessions or territories. To be eligible, postdoctoral NRSA trainees or fellows must have a professional or scientific degree (M.D., Ph.D., D.D.S., D.O., D.V.M., Sc.D., D. Eng., or equivalent domestic or foreign degree). SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed, and have no more than 500 employees). Primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. In both Phase I and Phase II, the entire research must be performed in the United States. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council. STTR grants can be awarded only to domestic small business concerns (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed and have no more than 500 employees) which "partner" with a research institution in cooperative research and development. At least 40 percent of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and at least 30 percent by the research institution. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.

Health professionals, graduate students, health professional students, scientists, and researchers.

Research grants may be used to provide salaries, equipment, supplies, travel and other expenses for research. The grantee institution is obliged to expend grant funds prudently for the purposes stated in the application and award document. National Research Service Awards (NRSAs) are made directly to individuals for research training in specified biomedical shortage areas, or to institutions, to enable them to make NRSAs to individuals selected by them. Each individual who receives a NRSA may be obligated upon termination of the award to comply with service and payback provisions. Career Development Awards such as the Independent Scientist Awards (K02) provide support for newly independent scientists with health-related degrees who can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus as a means of enhancing their research careers and facilitating their ability to obtain major NIH research awards. Mentored Clinical Research Scientist Development Awards (K08) provide support for clinically trained health professionals who need an additional period of sponsored research experience as a way to gain expertise in a research area new to the candidate or in an area that would demonstrably enhance the candidate's scientific career. The K01 and K22 Mentored Research Scientist Development Awards are used to promote diversity in neuroscience research and support an intensive supervised research career development experience for underrepresented, disabled or disadvantaged career neuroscientists. The Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23) provide support for a period of supervised study and research for clinically trained professionals who have the potential to develop into productive clinical investigators. SBIR and STTR Phase I grants (of approximately 6-months to 2 years in duration) are to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a proposed research effort that may lead to a commercial product or process. Phase II grants (of approximately 1 to 3 years in duration) are for the continuation of the research efforts initiated in Phase I that are likely to result in commercial products or processes. Phase II funding is based on results of research initiated in Phase I, scientific and technical merit, and commercial potential of Phase II application. Grant funds may be expended only for the purpose stated in the application and award document. The NINDS participates in the NIH SBIR/STTR "fast track" and Phase IIB initiatives.

Research grant awards are made for a 12-month period with recommendation of up to 4 years of additional support, with limited exceptions for longer duration awards. Career Program awards provide support for 3 to 5 years. Training Program awards are usually for a 12-month period with recommendation of additional support of up to a total of 5 years for predoctoral training and no more than 3 years for postdoctoral training. SBIR: Normally, Phase I awards are for 6 months; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years. STTR: Normally, Phase I awards are for 1 year; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.

Research grant applications that request $500,000 or more in direct costs in any yearly budget period will not be accepted unless the NINDS has agreed to accept the application prior to submission (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-004.html).

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) the scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) the soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) the degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the Phase II objectives; (3) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (4) the technological innovation, originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; (5) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (6) the reasonableness of the budget requested for the work proposed; (7) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and 8) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment.

Research Grant, Training, Fellowship and SBIR/STTR applications are reviewed initially by technical panels, composed of scientific authorities, and by the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke Council composed of 18 leaders in medical science, education, and public affairs. Approved applications will compete on a merit basis for available funds. Formal award notices are transmitted to the grantee or awardee.

Research grants: Approximately 6 to 9 months. Career program: From 7 to 8 months. SBIR/STTR applications: Approximately 6 to 9 months. Institutional Training Grants: From 6 to 12 months.

By application and review in same manner as new applications. A P.I. should consult the specific NOFO to determine if a particular grant is renewable.

A principal investigator (P.I.) may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Institute, and subsequently, the P.I. and applicant institution may appeal to the NINDS appeals officer. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeal procedures is available on the NIH home page http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-064.html.