Improving the Quality of NINDS-Supported Preclinical and Clinical Research through Rigorous Study Design and Transparent Reporting

Notice Number: NOT-NS-11-023

Key Dates
Release Date: August 10, 2011

Related Announcements

June 9, 2015 - Enhancing Reproducibility through Rigor and Transparency. See Notice NOT-OD-15-103.

Issued by
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Purpose

Developing effective treatments for neurological disorders is central to the mission of NINDS. This Notice highlights the importance of well-designed preclinical studies as the foundation for translating basic research discoveries into such treatments.

Before being evaluated in the clinic, candidate therapeutics are often tested in animal or cell culture models of specific diseases. In recent years, there is increasing awareness among neurological disease communities that the predictive value of preclinical research is improved when information is made available about study design, execution, analysis and interpretation. Examples of the most critical elements for a well-designed study are summarized on the NINDS website (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/grant_policy.htm).

NINDS believes that applications that propose preclinical research, or that are based on previous preclinical data, will be greatly strengthened if the design, execution, and interpretation of the proposed studies and supporting data are adequately described. NINDS encourages investigators, whenever possible, to address these elements directly in their applications.

Investigators are urged to discuss these issues with program staff prior to submission of applications, especially for applications that will be requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs for any year, for which applicants must seek agreement to accept assignment from NINDS at least 6 weeks prior to the anticipated submission (NOT-OD-02-004).

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Shai Silberberg, Ph.D.
Program Director
NINDS
6001 Executive Blvd., NSC Rm 2131
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301-496-1917
Email: SilberbS@ninds.nih.gov