Jon Lorsch Director, NIGMS Maximizing Investigators’ Research Awards: An experiment to promote a more productive, efficient and sustainable biomedical research enterprise

Enable the development of the best trained, most innovative and productive biomedical research workforce possible. Promote fundamental research on living systems to lay the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. NIGMS Mission

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Use data collection, analysis and evaluation to drive all decision-making Focus on outcomes in training and workforce development programs Ensure diversity in the Institute’s research portfolio: topics, approaches, regions, investigators Renew and reinvigorate commitment to investigator- initiated, question-driven research Some Key Goals for NIGMS

Increase the stability of funding to enhance investigators’ willingness to take on ambitious scientific projects and to approach problems creatively. Funding Research Programs instead of Individual Projects

Increase the stability of funding to enhance investigators’ willingness to take on ambitious scientific projects and to approach problems creatively. Increase flexibility for investigators to follow important new research directions as opportunities arise. Funding Research Programs instead of Individual Projects

Increase the stability of funding to enhance investigators’ willingness to take on ambitious scientific projects and to approach problems creatively. Increase flexibility for investigators to follow important new research directions as opportunities arise. Improve the distribution of funding among investigators to increase overall scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs. Funding Research Programs instead of Individual Projects

Increase the stability of funding to enhance investigators’ willingness to take on ambitious scientific projects and to approach problems creatively. Increase flexibility for investigators to follow important new research directions as opportunities arise. Improve the distribution of funding among investigators to increase overall scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs. Reduce the time spent by researchers writing grant applications, allowing them to spend more time conducting research. Funding Research Programs instead of Individual Projects

Increase the stability of funding to enhance investigators’ willingness to take on ambitious scientific projects and to approach problems creatively. Increase flexibility for investigators to follow important new research directions as opportunities arise. Improve the distribution of funding among investigators to increase overall scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs. Reduce the time spent by researchers writing grant applications, allowing them to spend more time conducting research. Reduce the time spent on reviewing grant applications. Funding Research Programs instead of Individual Projects

One NIGMS research grant per PI Bigger and longer (5 years) than current R01 averages Direct cost range from $150-$750K Not tied to specific aims Review based on overall research ideas and track record Budget could be modulated based on competing review in order to avoid abrupt termination of research groups Separate panels and modified review considerations for early-stage investigators Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA)

One NIGMS research grant per PI Bigger and longer (5 years) than current R01 averages Direct cost range from $150-$750K Not tied to specific aims Review based on overall research ideas and track record Budget could be modulated based on competing review in order to avoid abrupt termination of research groups Separate panels and modified review considerations for early-stage investigators Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA)

One NIGMS research grant per PI Bigger and longer (5 years) than current R01 averages Direct cost range from $150-$750K Not tied to specific aims Review based on overall research ideas and track record Budget could be modulated based on competing review in order to avoid abrupt termination of research groups Separate panels and modified review considerations for early-stage investigators Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA)

One NIGMS research grant per PI Bigger and longer (5 years) than current R01 averages Direct cost range from $150-$750K Not tied to specific aims Review based on overall research ideas and track record Budget could be modulated based on competing review in order to avoid abrupt termination of research groups Separate panels and modified review considerations for early-stage investigators Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA)

One NIGMS research grant per PI Bigger and longer (5 years) than current R01 averages Direct cost range from $150-$750K Not tied to specific aims Review based on overall research ideas and track record Budget could be modulated based on competing review in order to avoid abrupt termination of research groups Separate panels and modified review considerations for early-stage investigators Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA)

One NIGMS research grant per PI Bigger and longer (5 years) than current R01 averages Direct cost range from $150-$750K Not tied to specific aims Review based on overall research ideas and track record Budget could be modulated based on competing review in order to avoid abrupt termination of research groups Separate panels and modified review considerations for early-stage investigators Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA)

One NIGMS research grant per PI Bigger and longer (5 years) than current R01 averages Direct cost range from $150-$750K Not tied to specific aims Review based on overall research ideas and track record Budget could be modulated based on competing review in order to avoid abrupt termination of research groups Separate panels and modified review considerations for early-stage investigators Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA)

Not targeted specifically at high-risk, high-potential-reward research What MIRA is not

If it works, MIRA could support any investigator studying questions related to NIGMS’ mission Not targeted specifically at a perceived highly elite group of investigators Not targeted specifically at high-risk, high-potential-reward research What MIRA is not

Not yet finalized If it works, MIRA could support any investigator studying questions related to NIGMS’ mission Not targeted specifically at a perceived highly elite group of investigators Not targeted specifically at high-risk, high-potential-reward research What MIRA is not

Positive Most responses to the MIRA RFI were supportive

The best funded labs will not get enough money The best funded labs will get even more money Top concerns: Positive Most responses to the MIRA RFI were supportive

Need to generate a moderate number of applications to test the MIRA application and review concepts. Pilot phase with limited eligibility expected to be neutral with respect to RPG budget. Applications from NIGMS established PIs with over a certain direct cost threshold from NIGMS. Applications from ESIs. Plans are for separate FOAs, review panels, and review criteria for established PIs and ESIs. Review during pilot managed by NIGMS Office of Scientific Review Award of MIRA to coincide with relinquishment of current NIGMS support Implementation Plan

Need to generate a moderate number of applications to test the MIRA application and review concepts. Pilot phase with limited eligibility expected to be neutral with respect to RPG budget. Applications from NIGMS established PIs with over a certain direct cost threshold from NIGMS. Applications from ESIs. Plans are for separate FOAs, review panels, and review criteria for established PIs and ESIs. Review during pilot managed by NIGMS Office of Scientific Review Award of MIRA to coincide with relinquishment of current NIGMS support Implementation Plan

Need to generate a moderate number of applications to test the MIRA application and review concepts. Pilot phase with limited eligibility expected to be neutral with respect to RPG budget. Applications from NIGMS established PIs with over a certain direct cost threshold from NIGMS. Applications from ESIs. Plans are for separate FOAs, review panels, and review criteria for established PIs and ESIs. Review during pilot managed by NIGMS Office of Scientific Review Award of MIRA to coincide with relinquishment of current NIGMS support Implementation Plan

Need to generate a moderate number of applications to test the MIRA application and review concepts. Pilot phase with limited eligibility expected to be neutral with respect to RPG budget. Applications from NIGMS established PIs with over a certain direct cost threshold from NIGMS. Applications from ESIs. Plans are for separate FOAs, review panels, and review criteria for established PIs and ESIs. Review during pilot managed by NIGMS Office of Scientific Review Award of MIRA to coincide with relinquishment of current NIGMS support Implementation Plan

Need to generate a moderate number of applications to test the MIRA application and review concepts. Pilot phase with limited eligibility expected to be neutral with respect to RPG budget. Applications from NIGMS established PIs with over a certain direct cost threshold from NIGMS. Applications from ESIs. Plans are for separate FOAs, review panels, and review criteria for established PIs and ESIs. Review during pilot managed by NIGMS Office of Scientific Review Award of MIRA to coincide with relinquishment of current NIGMS support Implementation Plan

Need to generate a moderate number of applications to test the MIRA application and review concepts. Pilot phase with limited eligibility expected to be neutral with respect to RPG budget. Applications from NIGMS established PIs with over a certain direct cost threshold from NIGMS. Applications from ESIs. Plans are for separate FOAs, review panels, and review criteria for established PIs and ESIs. Review during pilot managed by NIGMS Office of Scientific Review Award of MIRA to coincide with relinquishment of current NIGMS support Implementation Plan

Need to generate a moderate number of applications to test the MIRA application and review concepts. Pilot phase with limited eligibility expected to be neutral with respect to RPG budget. Applications from NIGMS established PIs with over a certain direct cost threshold from NIGMS. Applications from ESIs. Plans are for separate FOAs, review panels, and review criteria for established PIs and ESIs. Review during pilot managed by NIGMS Office of Scientific Review Award of MIRA to coincide with relinquishment of current NIGMS support Implementation Plan

We are at a crossroads

Questions or Comments?