FY 2013 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 its Strategic Plan and by the 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 2014, 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 2013 grant awards. Funds will be restored as appropriate for FY 2013 awards previously made at the 90% provisional amount. Future year funding policy may change based on appropriated funds.

Non-Competing Continuation Grants:

For Research Project Grants (RPGs), Centers, and Other Research Mechanisms (excluding Research Career Development):

Modular Grants: Modular grant awards will be reduced -4% from their FY 2013 committed levels. Commitments for continuation awards in FY 2014 and beyond will remain unchanged at this time.

Non-Modular Grants: Non-modular grant awards will be reduced -4% from their FY 2013 committed levels. Commitments for continuation awards in FY 2014 and beyond will remain unchanged at this time.

For Small Business, Research Career Development, and Research Training Awards:

FY 2013 awards will be issued at a level consistent with FY 2012 and inflationary increases for future years will be discontinued. Research Training stipends will remain at the same stipend rates authorized in FY 2012. (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. Although NIMH does not have a specific pay line, the Institute expects to support most of the applications that have an impact score up to the 10th percentile, many between the 10th and 20th percentile, and some beyond the 20th percentile, based on factors such as the Institute’s Strategic Plan, programmatic portfolio consideration, and availability of funds. Overall, as in past years, we expect to support roughly three-fourths of the proposals with scores under the 20th percentile (or with comparable impact scores for non-percentiled applications). NIMH will support a sufficient number of applications from early stage investigators (ESIs) to ensure that their success rate is equivalent to established investigators.

In summary, final funding decisions are based on many factors, including alignment with the Strategic Plan, consideration of program relevance, commitment to funding 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.

For Research Project Grants (RPGs), Centers, and Other Research Mechanisms (excluding Research Career Development):

Modular Grants: With the exception of specific programmatic adjustments, modular grant awards will be fully funded in FY 2013, and future year commitments are expected to remain consistent with the FY 2013 awarded amount.

Non-Modular Grants: With the exception of specific programmatic adjustments, non-modular grant awards will be fully funded in FY 2013. Future year commitments for competing grant awards will be reduced -10% from Council recommended funding levels, and inflationary increases for future years will be discontinued. The number of out-year commitments may also be adjusted.

For Small Business, Centers, Research Career Development, and Research Training Awards:

FY 2013 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. When considering funding decisions, the Institute gives high priority to early stage new investigators, that is, 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. 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 as, or even higher than, grants from established investigators not selected for payment. Early stage investigators are strongly encouraged 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 for careers focused on innovative multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research in areas of program relevance. Given the lower rate of increase in its 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. No increases in stipend levels will be allowed in FY 2013 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:

Career Level	Stipend for FY 2013
Freshmen/Sophomores	$8,304
Juniors/Seniors	$11,628

Predoctoral and Postdoctoral:

Career Level	Years of Experience	Stipend for FY 2013
Predoctoral	All	$22,032
Postdoctoral	0	$39,264
	1	$41,364
	2	$44,340
	3	$46,092
	4	$47,820
	5	$49,884
	6	$51,582
	7 or More	$54,180