Notice Number: NOT-GM-18-014

Key Dates
Release Date: January 12, 2018

Issued by
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS )

Purpose

This Notice specifies modifications and additions to several sections of PAR-17-046 "Exploratory Research for Technology Development (R21)." The purpose of this Notice is to clarify that: (1) The inclusion or referencing of unpublished experimental data, results, or conclusions is not permitted in applications responding to this FOA; and (2) Research topics must be within the mission of NIGMS.

Part 1. Overview Information
Funding Opportunity Purpose
PAR-17-046 modified by earlier Notice NOT-GM-17-008 currently reads, in part:
Preliminary data demonstrating feasibility of the proposed approach indicates that the project is beyond the scope of this program and therefore unsuitable for this funding opportunity. Preliminary data must not be included in the application. Applications including preliminary data will be considered noncompliant with the FOA instructions.

This FOA is modified to read:
The goal of this FOA is to support proof of concepts for feasibility and exploratory technology development. Applications including or referencing unpublished and/or preliminary data, results, or conclusions will be considered noncompliant with the FOA instructions and will be administratively withdrawn.


Part 2. Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Appropriateness for this Program
PAR-17-046 as modified by earlier Notice NOT-GM-17-008 currently reads, in part:
No Preliminary Data: Availability of preliminary data is an indication that the proposed project has advanced beyond the exploratory stage defined by this program, and will make the application unsuitable for this funding opportunity. Consideration should be given to submitting such projects to the companion R01 program (PAR-17-045).

This FOA is modified to read:
Unpublished Information: Applications in response to this FOA must not include or reference preliminary or unpublished data, results, or conclusions. Availability of preliminary data is an indication that the proposed project has advanced beyond the exploratory stage defined by this program, and will make the application unsuitable for this funding opportunity. The companion Focused Technology Research and Development R01 program (PAR-17-045) supports projects for which there is preliminary or unpublished data establishing proof of concept.

The following text has also been added to this section.
Relevance of research topics for this FOA: The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) supports basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. NIGMS-funded scientists investigate how living systems work at a range of levels from molecules and cells to organs and tissues, in research organisms, humans, and populations. NIGMS also supports the development of fundamental methods and new technologies to achieve its mission.

NIGMS supports research and technology development that is aimed at understanding general principles, mechanisms, and processes, and does not focus on specific classes of cells, tissues, organs, or diseases. In addition to preclinical and clinical research, other NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) support basic research and technology development that is relevant to their specific health missions. Research and technology development that focuses on specific cell types, tissues, organ systems, or diseases, or has primarily clinical applications generally will be more appropriate for an IC other than NIGMS. See the List of NIH of Institutes, Centers, and Offices to learn more about their specific missions.

In accordance with the NIGMS mission, the goal of this FOA is to support exploratory research leading to the development of innovative technologies that are applicable to a wide range of biological systems. Technology development for applications in a disease and/or organ system focused basic, preclinical, and clinical research may be more appropriate for an IC other than NIGMS. If a technology is being piloted in a specific system that is primarily within the mission of another NIH IC, the project may be more appropriate for that IC. Some areas of technology development are supported by other NIH ICs and are not supported by NIGMS.

Applicants are strongly advised to consult with the Scientific/Research Contact listed in this FOA for guidance on assessing the relevance of their projects for NIGMS support under this FOA.

Part 2. Section IV.2 Content and Form of Application Submission
PHS 398 Research Plan
Research Strategy
Approach
PAR-17-046 modified by earlier Notice NOT-GM-17-008 currently reads, in part:
Applications must not include preliminary data. Applications including preliminary data will be considered noncompliant with the FOA instructions. For purposes of this FOA, preliminary data is defined as unpublished results supporting the feasibility of the proposed Specific Aims. Data or results, as well as figures presenting data or results in the Research Strategy must clearly reference the publication from which they are taken.

The FOA is modified to read:
Applications must not include or reference preliminary and/or unpublished data, results, or conclusions. Any data or results in the text or figures must clearly reference the publication from which they are taken. Applications including or referencing preliminary or unpublished data, results, or conclusions will be considered noncompliant with the FOA instructions and will be administratively withdrawn.

All other aspects of this FOA remain the same.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Paul Sammak, Ph.D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Telephone: 301-594-8494
Email: paul.sammak@nih.gov