Research Funding

Jefferson Science Fellowships

The contribution of state-of-the-art science, technology, and engineering (STE) to the formulation and implementation of U.S. government policy, both domestic and foreign, has been recognized throughout the second half of the 20th-century as a critical element in reaching sound, comprehensive conclusions that reflect “good governance.” Without an accurate, timely understanding of rapidly advancing STE issues, it is increasingly difficult to identify and establish sound governmental policy that effectively meets the needs of modern societies. The articulation of “accurate science for statecraft” to policy makers has become an essential element in establishing effective international relationships in the 21st century.

Recognizing this need, the Secretary of State announced, on October 8, 2003, the Jefferson Science Fellows (JSF) program at the U.S. Department of State, establishing a new model for engaging the American academic science, technology, engineering and medical communities in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. The JSF program is administered by the National Academies and supported through a partnership between the U.S. academic community, professional scientific societies, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Jefferson Science Fellowship is open to tenured, or similarly ranked, faculty from U.S. institutions of higher learning who are U.S. citizens. The application period opens each fall and closes in mid-January. Selected Jefferson Science Fellows spend one year on assignment at the U.S. Department of State or USAID as science advisors on foreign policy issues. Assignments are tailored to the needs of the hosting office, while taking into account the Fellows’ interests and areas of expertise. As part of their assignments, Jefferson Fellows also have the opportunity to travel to U.S. embassies and missions overseas. At the conclusion of the fellowship year, and upon return to their home institution, Fellows continue to serve as a resource to the State Department and USAID for an additional five years.

For the 2014 program year, it is expected that the U.S. Department of State and USAID will host up to 15 Jefferson Science Fellows; the fellowship begins in mid-August.  Visit the How to Apply page to view eligibility criteria, terms of the fellowship and instructions for applying.

View the Jefferson Science Fellowship Brochure here.

Guidance on Resumption of NIH Extramural Activities Following the Recent Lapse in Appropriations

The NIH has released announcement NOT-OD-14-003 to provide information to applicants and grantees about proposal and award processes that were disrupted by the partial federal government shutdown from October 1-17, 2013.

Background

eRA Systems Availability

The Commons and other electronic NIH systems are back online as of October 18, 2013.

 Rescheduling October Application Due Dates

All October due dates have been rescheduled for November. 

Funding Opportunity

Original Due Date

New Due Date

R01s, U01s (New)

October 5

November 12

Ks (New)

October 12

November 12

R03s, R21s, R34s, R36s (New)

October 16

November 18

R15s (All)

October 25

November 18

NIDCD Clinical Research Center Grant (P50) PAR-13-277

October 1

November 14

NIGMS National Centers for Systems Biology (P50) PAR-13-351

October 23

November 14

Sexually Transmitted Infections Cooperative Research Centers (U19) RFA-AI-13-043

October 23

November 14

National Cooperative Drug Discovery/Development Groups for the Treatment of Mental Disorders, Drug or Alcohol Addiction (U19) PAR-13-086

October 24

November 14

National Cooperative Drug Discovery/Development Groups for the Treatment of Mental Disorders, Drug or Alcohol Addiction (UM1) PAR-13-087

October 24

November 14

Various RFAs, PARs, PAs

Due dates

not listed above

November  1

 All November due dates will remain the same.

  • Exception:  The NIH Loan Repayment Program has been extended from November 15 to December 2

 Applications Reassigned to May 2014 Council

Applications that were submitted from May – August 2013 and scheduled to be reviewed during the shutdown will be reassigned to the next cycle.

 

 

Cycle II

Cycle III

Scientific Merit Review

October – November

February – March

Advisory Council Round

January

May

Earliest Project Start Date

April

July

 The NIH will email PIs whose applications are reassigned.  PIs whose applications are reassigned will be given the opportunity to “refresh” the application by:

  • Withdrawing the application by November 8, 2013
  • Resubmitting the application by November 20, 2013

 Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)

At this time, the NIH has not issued any guidance regarding non-competing progress reports due during the period the Commons was offline.

 Processing Applications Submitted During the Shutdown

On a case-by-case basis, UNMC submitted a small number of NIH applications during the shutdown.  These applications should be available for viewing in the Commons from October 22-23, 2013.  If any changes need to be made to an application, it should be rejected from the Commons during this two-day viewing window.

 Award Actions

The NIH anticipates beginning to release awards after November 1, 2013.

For more information

 Contact your SPAdmin Grants and Contracts Specialist

  • Attend the next SPAdmin Buzz Session at noon on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, in Room 1004 in the DRC I

Information for the NIH Extramural Grantee Community During the Lapse of Federal Government Funding

Notice Number:  NOT-OD-13-126

The Government Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 ended on September 30, 2013 at midnight EST and an Appropriation Act for FY2014 has not been passed leading to a lapse in Federal funding. 

Issues impacting researchers are summarized below:

 

  • Contact with NIH Staff.  There will be no access to voice mail, e-mail, fax, or postal mail during this period
  • Submission of Grant Applications.  For the duration of the funding lapse, applicants are strongly encouraged not to submit paper or electronic grant applications to the NIH. 
  • Peer Review and Council Meetings.  NIH will not conduct initial peer review meetings or conduct Advisory Council review meetings during the lapse. 
  • eRA Commons.  eRA Commons will be unavailable during the lapse.  Submissions and progress reports cannot be accepted.
  • Awarded Grants.  No NIH awards will be processed for the duration of the funding lapse. 
  • No-Cost Extension.  No Cost Extensions cannot be submitted electronically during the lapse, grants due to expire that plan to be given a no-cost extension, will require a paper notification to the IC after operations resume.
  • HHS Payment Management System.  HHD PMS will remain open but no federal staff will be available to assist.  Grants on a reimbursement basis or other restricted funds cannot be processed during the lapse.
  • Animal Welfare.  No activities associated with the OLAW mission will continue during the funding lapse.  OLAW will extend reporting deadlines for all activities to compensate for the period of the lapse. 

The entire notice may be read at:  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-13-126.html