1. NIH Funding for Novel Biomaterials
David Rampulla
Program Director
Biomaterials and Biomolecular Constructs
Synthetic Biology for Technology Development
Engineered Cells
Technologies for Immunoengineering
NIBIB/NIH

2. NIH is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation
NIH is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. Its mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge
to extend healthy life and reduce the
burdens of illness and disability.
NIH is committed to Turning Discovery to Health
We are the nation’s medical research agency—making important discoveries that improve health and save lives.
Scope:
In realizing these goals, the NIH provides leadership and direction to programs designed to improve the health of the Nation by conducting and supporting research:
- in the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and cure of human diseases;
- in the processes of human growth and development;
- in the biological effects of environmental contaminants;
- in the understanding of mental, addictive and physical disorders; and
- in directing programs for the collection, dissemination, and exchange of information in medicine and health 2

3. NIH FY17 Budget
Total = $33.1 B
About 81% distributed via Extramural grants, contracts, cooperative agreements

4. NIBIB BIOENGINEERING is the BRIDGE
Other ICs
study basic biology
and pathology
Science
Applied
Engineering
Research
Translation
NIBIB BIOENGINEERING is the BRIDGE
develop medical solutions
Bioengineering: Transforming Science into Action
Science: Gaining fundamental knowledge and understanding through open-ended study.
Applied Science: Knowing the desired outcome, exploring solutions.
Engineering: Harnessing what is known to build a solution to a problem.
Research Engineering: Adapting technology solutions to drive science that fills the knowledge gaps.
Translation: Bringing the solution to practice.

5. Bioengineering at NIBIB
Biomedical Devices:
- Therapeutic Medical Devices
- Surgical Tools
Engineered Biology:
- Engineered Tissues/Tissue Chips
- Engineered Cells
Trans-division:
- Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation
- Synthetic Biology for Technology Development
- Technologies for Immunoengineering
enabling technologies with broad biomedical application…
…explore the intersection between human biology and engineered systems
Biointerfaces:
- Biosensors and Physiological Detectors
- Biomaterials and Biomolecular Constructss

6. “Biomaterials” in the NIH Portfolio
(by percent of total investment, FY17)
Total
Awards
= 583

7. The NSF-NIH Biomaterial Hand-off
At the NSF…
Greater focus on developing material properties (in general)
Larger importance on ‘new’ materials and phenomena
Pushing properties toward biomedical relevance
Some basics… does it kill cells?
At the NIH/NIBIB…
Greater focus on developing the material in a biomedical context
Larger importance on addressing an unmet medical need
Pushing properties toward clinical relevance
More in vivo (and in vitro) testing

8. What Comes in the Door at NIBIB/Biomaterials?
First… contact a Program Director
There are occasionally subtle differences between the missions of the institutes
NIBIB is the ‘engineering’ IC
Biomedical intervention
Disease agnostic
Biomaterials and Biomolecular Constructs
Surgical sealants
In vivo energy harvesters
Implant coatings
Tissue scaffolds
Genome editors
Nanoparticles for drug delivery
Functional properties
Biocompatibility
Tends to be a ‘next step’ from NSF toward biomedical relevance
Other programs at NIBIB…
Imaging modalities/detectors
MR, optical, ultrasound, PET/SPECT
Imaging Probes
Biosensors and Physiological Detectors
Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation

9. What’s already in the program

10. Does NIH Already Support My Interest Area?

11. RePORTer Delivers a Treasure Trove…
Click for Abstract

12. … of Useful Information.

13. R21 ($275K spread over 2 yrs, non-renewable)
Twp
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
- Robert Frost
R21 ($275K spread over 2 yrs, non-renewable)
High(er) risk and reward
Little/no supporting data
R03 (2 yrs, $50K per year, non-renewal)
succinct task(s)
R01 (4-5 yrs, $ K+, renewable, a “real” grant)
Convincing preliminary data for each aim
Longer term questions
Multiple complexities

14. Relevant NIBIB/NIH Funding Opportunities
MOST applications come in through the Parent Mechanisms… and that’s OK!
PAR : NIBIB Trailblazer Award for New and Early Stage Investigators (R21)
PAR : NIBIB Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21)
PAR : NIBIB Biomedical Technology Resource Centers (P41)
PAR : Bioengineering Research Partnerships (U01)
Note: No specific biomaterials focused FOAs at NIBIB at this time
Trans-NIH interests (Common Fund)
Somatic Cell Genome Engineering: Delivery vehicles, genome editors
HEAL: opioids, pain management devices, biomarkers
BRAIN: mapping technologies
High-risk High-reward: New Innovator, Transformative R01
Trans-NIBIB interests
Synthetic Biology: using synbio approach to develop biomedical technologies
Immunoengineering: developing technologies to engineer the immune system

15. Study Section’s Mid-Morning Break
Conversation at the
Study Section’s Mid-Morning Break
PD: I think I have this figured out. You guys have pretty much decided on an impact score by the time you finish reading the Specific Aims page, right?
Reviewer #1 (hesitantly): Well… yes, that’s right.
PD: And the rest is filling in the details, looking for confirmation of your opinion, scanning for fatal flaws…
Reviewer #2: That about sums it up, yes.

16. Cover Letters Help Target Your Review
Applicants can suggest
Review Group assignment
Expertise necessary for a full and fair review
Primary (and secondary) Institute or Center (IC) assignment
Reviewers with potential conflicts
Do not suggest possible reviewers, they will be disqualified.
Other Important Information
Reasons for a late submission
Note eligibility for continuous submission
Highlight this application as one of a set, if applicable
Acknowledge NIH approval for acceptance of
A budget >$500K/yr
Conference grant
Suggested format and other information at

17. It’s an orderly universe. Your application is reviewed by either …
Chartered (Standing) Scientific Review Group (SRG), or “Study Section”
Special Emphasis Panel (SEP)
organized by the Center for Scientific Review (CSR)
Conflicts on the panel (e.g. reviewer is a PI on the grant application)
Special review for a unique solicitation (e.g. PAR)
convened within a home IC of a highly specific initiative (e.g. RFA)

18. Your application may be REVIEWED by one of:
Vascular and Hematology (VH)
AICS, ELB, HM, HP, MCH, VCMB, F10B
Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience (MDCN)
BPNS, CMBG, CMND, DDNS, MNPS, NCF, NDPR, NOMD, NTRC, SYN
Behavior and Behavioral Processes (BBBP)
APDA, BRLE, CP, CPDD,
LCOM, MESH, MFSR
Bioengineering Sciences and
Technology (BST)
BDMA, BMBI, GDD, ISD, MABS, NANO
Biology of Development and Aging (BDA)
International/Cooperative Projects
Cell Biology (CB)
BVS, NCSD, CMAD, CSRS, DEV1/2, ICI, MBPP, MIST
Healthcare Delivery and Methodologies (HDM)
BCHI, BMRD, CIHB, CLHP, DIRH, HDEP, HSOD, NRCS
Infectious Diseases and Microbiology (IDM)
BACP, CRFS, DDR, HIBP, PTHE, VB, VIRA/B, F13
AIDS and AIDS Related Research (AARR)
ACE, ADDT, AIP, AMCB, AOIC, BSCH, BSPH, NAED, VACC
>200 Standing
Scientific Review Groups (SRGs or Study Sections) housed in 25 Integrated Review Groups at CSR
Surgical Sciences and Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (SBIB)
BMIT-A/B, BTSS, CMIP, MEDI, SAT, F15
Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience (BDCN)
ANIE, ASG, BINP, CDIN, CNBT, CNN, CNNT, DBD, DPVS, NPAS, PMDA
Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Systems (EMNR)
MCE, ICER, CMIR, PN, CADO, IPOD, CIDO, INMP, F06
Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics (BCMB)
BBM, MSFA/B/D/C/D, SBCA/B
Risk Prevention and Health Behavior (RPHB)
BMIO, PDRP, PRDP, RPIA, SPIP, F16
Genes, Genomes and Genetics (GGG)
MGA/B, GCAT, GVE, GHD, PCMB, TAG
Immunology (IMM)
CMIA/B, HAI, IHD, III, IMM-M, TTT, VMD, F07
Musculoskeletal Oral and Skin
Diseases (MOSS)
ACTS, MRS, MTE, ODCS, SBDD, SBSR, SMEP
Interdisciplinary
Medical Sciences
and Training (IMST)
EBIT, various training
Oncology 1 – Basic Translational (OBT)
CAMP, CE, CG, MONC, TCB, TME, TPM
Digestive, Kidney and Urological Systems (DKUS)
CIMG, GMPB, HBPP, KMBD, PBKD, UGPP, XNDA
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences (CVRS)
CCHF, CDD, CICS, ESTA, LCMI, LIRR, MIM, RIBT, F10A
Oncology 2 – Translational and
Clinical (OTC)
BMCT, CBSS, CDP, CII, CONC, DMP, DT, RTB
Emerging Technologies and Training in Neuroscience (ETTN)
MNG, BNVT, NOIT, F01/2/3
Population Science and Epidemiology (PSE)
BGES, CASE, EPIC, IRAP, KNOD, NAME, SSPA/B
Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience (IFCN)
AUD, LAM, NAL, NMB, NNRS, SCS, SMI, SPC 18

19. How to Identify the Best Study Section

20. Review Group Description:
What is the science focus?
Biomaterials and Biointerfaces Study Section [BMBI]
Science Focus of “nearest neighbor” study sections

21. SOME Biomaterials Study Sections
“Biomaterials and Biointerfaces (BMBI) - applications concerned with biologically relevant research in materials science…”
“Nanotechnology (NANO) - research … relating to the unique properties of nanomaterials.”
“Bioengineering, Technology, and Surgical Sciences (BTSS) - applications in the interdisciplinary fields of surgery and bioengineering…”

22. David Rampulla, Ph.D. Program Director:
Biomaterials and Biomolecular Constructs
Engineered Cells
Synthetic Biology for Technology Development
Technologies for Immunoengineering
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
… improving health by leading the development and accelerating the application of biomedical technologies