Key Dates

Related Announcements

• March 30, 2023 - Notice of Joint NIGMS/NSF Initiative to Support A Science of Science Approach to Analyzing and Innovating the Biomedical Research Enterprise (SoS:BIO). See Notice NOT-GM-23-038.

Issued by

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

Purpose

The purpose of this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) is to inform applicants of potential topic areas of interest for the joint National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and National Science Foundation (NSF) “Science of Science Approach to Analyzing and Innovating the Biomedical Research Enterprise (SoS:BIO)” Research Program.

Background

NIH seeks fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and applies that knowledge to optimize health and prevent or reduce illness for all people. NSF promotes the progress of science by maintaining the general health of research and education across all fields of science and engineering. Both agencies have identified opportunities and needs in building and supporting research projects with a focus on understanding the scientific research enterprise. Consequently, NIGMS and the Social, Behavioral, and Economic (SBE) Directorate within the NSF have established a joint initiative to support a Science of Science Approach to Analyzing and Innovating the Biomedical Research Enterprise (SoS:BIO).

SoS:BIO seeks proposals that will advance understanding of the biomedical research enterprise by drawing from the expertise of the Science of Science research community. Research can draw from a variety of social science disciplines and use a breadth of methodologies and theories to address important Science of Science research questions relevant to biomedical research – from discovery to impact. The program also will consider proposals designed to create and provide access to datasets on important Science of Science topics that will enable research questions to be answered.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, research studies that promote our understanding of the following areas:

• Policy considerations to promote impactful and innovative research (for example, the impacts of various funding approaches).
• Mechanisms that foster effective biomedical scientific collaboration and team science.
• The barriers to and effective methods for promoting broad participation in the biomedical research enterprise, such as:
  • Encouraging the inclusion of individuals from underrepresented groups in the workforce.
  • Eliminating barriers to the participation of individuals from underrepresented groups in the workforce. 
  • Strengthening research infrastructure at organizations, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).
  • Enhancing the research capacity of regions, such as IDeA and EPSCoR States.
  • Promoting inclusion in clinical trial participation.
• The effects of academic institutional policies (such as salary support, promotion and tenure policies) on scientific practice and progress.
• Labor market dynamics in the biomedical research workforce.
• The impact of federal policy on the biomedical research enterprise (for example, Open Access mandates, NIH Policy and Compliance considerations).
• The mechanisms to foster communication within the biomedical research community (for example, the impact of preprints in biomedical research) and from the biomedical research community to relevant stakeholders (for example, policymakers, the public, etc.).
• Outcomes of biomedical science investments (for example, R&D, commercialization, public health, extending their impacts to health disparity populations, and economic and societal outcomes).
• The use of evidence to advance policymaking relevant to the biomedical science and research enterprise.

Applications should be submitted to the NSF (Program solicitation NSF 23-569). Annual target dates for full proposals are February 9 and September 9, 2024, and annually thereafter. Specific information concerning the application and review process is available at nsf23001 Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) | NSF - National Science Foundation. 

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Kenneth D. Gibbs, Jr., Ph.D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: kenneth.gibbs@nih.gov