NIH Government Grants
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, grants funds for medical research into the causes and treatment of diseases. As of December 2011, the NIH identifies 218 research/disease areas that it funds, ranging from acute respiratory distress syndrome to youth violence. The highly competitive NIH grants process requires good planning, organization and preparation.
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Grants Overview
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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends grant applicants allow for one year to comfortably complete the grants process. Preparing and collecting data during the first few months ensure that all the materials are at hand when you start writing the grant. Develop a research plan that is original and that has a likelihood of successful completion. When you begin writing, use clear language to present your research. Grants are peer-reviewed and should be understandable to those who don't share your specialty. After submission, the review committees make preliminary recommendations and pass along their recommendations to a second level of reviewers. Successful grantees are then notified of their award.
Types of Grants
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NIH awards grants in six main areas. Research grants are the most commonly used. They carry no dollar limit, but are restricted to use for specific projects. Eight different Career Development awards fund individuals about to accept a faculty position. The other main areas are Program Project grants, Resource grants, Research Training grants and grants in Trans-NIH programs. Hundreds of funding opportunities are available within those broader areas. Small grants provide limited funding for up to two years for pilot studies, data collection and analysis and small research projects. Support for conferences and meetings is limited to gatherings in the United States. Academic Research Enhancement awards support projects in biomedical or behavioral science conducted in academic settings.
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Important Application Tips
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Some basic elements play an important part in successful grant applications. The NIH grants website provides in-depth detail on these elements. Submitting the application in the proper format, whether electronically or by mail, is crucial. Most grants require completion of a number of forms other than the grant application. Grants received after deadlines are rarely considered, and different parts of the same grant may have different deadlines. The budget may be the second most important part of the grant application. Make sure you understand what line items are allowable in NIH grants before you begin writing your budget.
After the Award
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The NIH requires grant recipients to comply with federal laws and regulations. A grants management officer at NIH oversees the business management and non-research parts of the grant while a grants management specialist works on the day-to-day oversight. The program official is responsible for the technical and scientific aspects. Members of the recipient's research team fulfill the same responsibilities. During the life of the grant, recipients must account for expenditures because the NIH monitors them to determine if they're in line with the project's budget. Progress reports are typically required at set intervals.
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References
- Photo Credit lab image by Alhazm Salemi from Fotolia.com
