NIH recently launched a new site for communication with the scientific community, http://feedback.nih.gov/. The site has already been quite active, since it requests input on a proposed National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and a proposed institute focused on substance use, abuse and addiction research.
Of particular interest may be a recent post on a “straw model” regarding where current National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) programs might end up if they are redistributed as a result of the formation of NCATS. In this model, some NCRR programs would be transferred to NIGMS.
An even more recent post provides information about open conference calls for grantees and others who are interested in NCRR programs to discuss the straw model. These calls will be held today through Friday.
If you have an interest in these rapidly moving activities, the NIH Feedback site is a good place to find updates and to submit your thoughts.
I am very concerned that the proposed reorganization (or dissolution) of NCRR will have serious deleterious effects. The Shared Instrumentation Program has been extremely valuable. If it is moved to NIGMS, the money needs to come with it. Of more concern is the IDeA progrmas (IBBRE and COBRE). They have done a lot of good to make institutions in underfunded states more competitive but there is still a lot of work to be done. I am concerned that they may disappear altogether.
The recommendations of the NCRR Task Force on the placement of NCRR programs within NIH have just been posted at feedback.nih.gov/index.php/ncats/task-force-recs/.