Notice Number: NOT-GM-19-026
Key Dates
Release Date: March 20, 2019
PAR-17-341
PAR-19-036
PAR-19-037
PAR-19-102
Issued by
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Purpose
The recently released NIGMS training grant Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) were intended, in part, to serve as pilots for emphasizing the importance of instruction in rigorous experimental design and transparency to enhance reproducibility. Because this instruction is integral to excellence in biomedical research training, the evaluation of the proposed instructional and curricular content should impact the Overall Impact score of training grant applications. Accordingly, this Notice updates the review criteria in NIGMS' training grant FOAs, such that the evaluation of plans for 'Training in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility' will now factor into the Overall Impact score of applications.
The following FOAs are updated to move this review criterion from an Additional Review Consideration, which does not factor into the Overall Impact score, to an Additional Review Criteria, which is considered by reviewers while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an Overall Impact score:
PAR-17-341 "National Institute of General Medical Sciences Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Predoctoral Institutional Research Training Grant (T32)"
PAR-19-036 "Medical Scientist Training Program (T32)"
PAR-19-037 "Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (T32)"
PAR-19-102 "Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (G-RISE) (T32)"
Current location in FOA of review criterion related to "Training in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility" in these FOAs.
Part II. Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Additional Review Considerations
Training in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility
Does the Instruction in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility plan describe how trainees will be instructed in principles important for enhancing research reproducibility including, at a minimum, evaluation of foundational research underlying a project (i.e., scientific premise), rigorous experimental design, consideration of relevant biological variables such as sex, authentication of key biological and/or chemical resources, data and material sharing, record keeping, and transparency in reporting? Are the rigor and transparency components sufficiently well integrated into the overall curriculum? Are they taught at multiple stages of trainee development and in a variety of formats and contexts? Does the teaching synergize with elements of the curriculum designed to enhance trainees' abilities to conduct responsible research? Is there evidence that all program faculty reiterate and augment key elements of methods for enhancing reproducibility when trainees are performing mentored research their laboratories? The plan will be rated as ACCEPTABLE or UNACCEPTABLE, and the summary statement will provide the consensus of the review committee.
New location in FOA of review criterion related to "Training in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility" to allow for consideration in Overall Impact score.
Part II. Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Additional Review Criteria
Training in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility
Does the Instruction in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility plan describe how trainees will be instructed in principles important for enhancing research reproducibility including, at a minimum, evaluation of foundational research underlying a project (i.e., scientific premise), rigorous experimental design, consideration of relevant biological variables such as sex, authentication of key biological and/or chemical resources, data and material sharing, record keeping, and transparency in reporting? Are the rigor and transparency components sufficiently well integrated into the overall curriculum? Are they taught at multiple stages of trainee development and in a variety of formats and contexts? Does the teaching synergize with elements of the curriculum designed to enhance trainees' abilities to conduct responsible research? Is there evidence that all program faculty reiterate and augment key elements of methods for enhancing reproducibility when trainees are performing mentored research their laboratories? The plan will be rated as ACCEPTABLE or UNACCEPTABLE, and the summary statement will provide the consensus of the review committee.
All other aspects of the FOA remain the same.
Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to:
Alison Gammie, Ph.D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: [email protected]
and Human Services (HHS)
