Introduction
NIAAA provides leadership in the national effort to reduce alcohol-related problems. http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/AboutNIAAA/OrganizationalInformation/Pages/Mission.aspx.
Budget Information
Additional information on the NIH budget and fiscal operations is posted at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/financial/.
Funding
Strategy
After receiving a budget allocation for a new fiscal year, NIH and NIAAA establish their financial management plans. Many factors are considered in the selection of applications for award. These include: Integrated Review Group (IRG) percentile or priority scores, new (Type 1) or competing renewal (Type 2) status, proposed research in a special emphasis area, designation by NIAAA National Advisory Council as projects having high program priority, uniqueness and the potential for high research payoff, and the need for bridge (interim) support pending review of amended renewal applications.
Unforeseen factors occurring throughout the fiscal year can affect the operating policies. Thus, policies are subject to change. For the most current information, it is always best to check with an appropriate Institute official.
Guidelines
These guidelines reflect NIAAA funding policy under the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-10).
Non-competing awards
NIAAA will follow the NIH policy as reflected in: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-068.html. Also see the NIH Guide Notice at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-077.html).
Non-modular research projects grants, from all ICs, with the single exception of NCI, will be reduced to 1 percent below the FY 2010 award level. For NIAAA, this translates to a 4% reduction to grantee commitments of records as reflected on the FY 2010 Notice of Grant Award. Future year commitments for FY 2012 and beyond will be adjusted for inflation based on this revised FY 2011 level. In order to maximize the number of competing applicants that can be funded, NIAAA will apply the same reductions to modular grants as for non-modular grants. In addition, NIAAA will apply this policy to all other types of research grants with the exception of SBIR/STTR awards, Research Career Awards, Conference grants, and Ruth L. Kirschstein-National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowships & Institutional Training Grants. Awards that already have been made in FY 2011, which are impacted by this policy, will be revised.
Competing awards
Awards made for new and competing continuation grant applications during the full year Continuing Resolution will follow the guidelines below.
• R01/U01 grants, Research Centers, and R24 and R25 projects will be reduced to achieve an aggregate reduction equal to 10 percent of the direct cost recommended for the project.
• Developmental grants (R21) will be reduced by ¼ module if direct costs are at or above $100,000.
• MERIT (R37) applications will be awarded at no more than a 4 percent increase over their last full Type 5 funding year.
New Investigators
The NIAAA is committed to helping first-time R01 awardees. Applicants eligible for consideration as first-time R01 investigators in FY 2011 will be paid using an extended percentile payline. Applications beyond the extended payline may also be considered for funding as exceptions. New Investigators just beyond the extended payline are invited to submit a letter to respond to the summary statement critique. These responses are reviewed by Program Staff, and when deemed appropriate, the application may be recommended to Institute leadership for award. Also, when making decisions on applications of high program priority, new investigator status is one of the criteria considered for funding beyond the formal payline.
Duration of Grants
The NIH requires the average length of award for Research Project Grants to be 4 years. The NIAAA does not expect to have to adjust the length of awards to meet this goal.
Additional information on budget strategy and grants funding policies may be found at the following web sites:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Extramural Researchers
NIAAA Funding Opportunities
Program Announcements
Request for Applications
NIH Office of Extramural Research
Updated: May 2011