Key Dates

Related Announcements

• May 24, 2022 - Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional). See NOFO PAR-22-180.

Issued by

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

Purpose

The purpose of this Notice is to inform investigators of the reduction in the minimum required research effort level for the Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) for Established and New Investigators (EI/NIs) effective October 1, 2024.

Current PDs/PIs funded through PAR-22-180 or earlier versions of this MIRA NOFO must devote at least 45% of their total research effort to the MIRA through the remainder of the grant project period. No prior approval is required for an effort reduction as long as it does not exceed the prior approval threshold for a change in status of the PD/PI (see NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 8.1.2.6).

New or renewal applications submitted to PAR-22-180 must state a MIRA PD/PI effort level of at least 45% of their total research effort commitment.  For PDs/PIs who have already submitted applications to PAR-22-180 prior to October 1, 2024, but have not yet received a funding decision, no further action is necessary.  If the application is funded, the PD/PI must devote at least 45% of their total research effort to the MIRA.

It is important to note that this reduction in minimum required research effort does not apply to investigators whose MIRA was funded through PAR-23-145, the MIRA for Early Stage Investigators (ESI) NOFO or earlier versions of the MIRA for Early Stage Investigators (ESI) NOFO.

The following sections of PAR-22-180 have been modified accordingly.

Part 2. Section I Funding Opportunity Description

Overview of the MIRA

The NOFO currently reads:

** MIRA applicants and recipients can participate as a PD/PI on a Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams (RM1) as part of the 51% effort required by the MIRA but may not receive additional funds from this RM1.

*** For the Biomedical Technology Development and Dissemination (BTDD) grants, the PD/PI must maintain 51% research effort toward their MIRA, and 3 person months' effort toward the BTDD. The BTDD award can only provide support in a MIRA PD/PI's laboratory for late-stage technology development and dissemination efforts.

The NOFO is modified to read (changes noted in bold italics):

** MIRA applicants and recipients can participate as a PD/PI on a Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams (RM1) as part of the 45% effort required by the MIRA but may not receive additional funds from this RM1.

*** For the Biomedical Technology Development and Dissemination (BTDD) grants, the PD/PI must maintain 45% research effort toward their MIRA, and 3 person months' effort toward the BTDD. The BTDD award can only provide support in a MIRA PD/PI's laboratory for late-stage technology development and dissemination efforts.

Part 2. Section III. Eligibility

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)

The NOFO currently reads:

The PD/PI is required to devote at least 51% of the PD/PI's total research effort to this award. The total research effort should include the PD/PI's combined research effort at all institutions where the PD/PI holds an appointment, should be expressed in person-months, and should not include time expended toward teaching, administration not directly related to the PD's/PI's research, and/or clinical duties. NIGMS staff will verify the MIRA research effort requirement is met by using the Other Support documentation and will exclude support for which the purpose is education, training or enhancing workforce diversity.

The NOFO is modified to read (changes noted in bold italics):

The PD/PI is required to devote at least 45% of the PD/PI's total research effort to this award. The total research effort should include the PD/PI's combined research effort at all institutions where the PD/PI holds an appointment, should be expressed in person-months, and should not include time expended toward teaching, administration not directly related to the PD's/PI's research, and/or clinical duties. NIGMS staff will verify the MIRA research effort requirement is met by using the Other Support documentation and will exclude support for which the purpose is education, training or enhancing workforce diversity.

Part 2. Section IV. Application and Submission Information

6. Funding Restrictions

The NOFO currently reads:

Because most institutions expect some commitment from investigators to administrative, teaching and/or clinical duties, any salary support for the PD/PI charged to the grant should generally be less than 51% of the PD/PI's annual salary and should in no case be more than the actual research effort the PD/PI will devote to the grant.

The NOFO is modified to read (changes noted in bold italics):

Because most institutions expect some commitment from investigators to administrative, teaching and/or clinical duties, any salary support for the PD/PI charged to the grant should generally be less than 45% of the PD/PI's annual salary and should in no case be more than the actual research effort the PD/PI will devote to the grant.

Part 2. Section VI. Award Administrative Information

1. Award Notices

The NOFO currently reads:

The PD/PI will devote at least 51% of his/her total research effort to this award, inclusive of his/her combined research effort at all institutions where he/she holds an appointment (including foreign institutions). The total research effort should be determined in person-months and should not include time expended toward teaching, administration not directly related to the PD's/PI's research, and/or clinical duties.

The NOFO is modified to read (changes noted in bold italics):

The PD/PI will devote at least 45% of his/her total research effort to this award, inclusive of his/her combined research effort at all institutions where he/she holds an appointment (including foreign institutions). The total research effort should be determined in person-months and should not include time expended toward teaching, administration not directly related to the PD's/PI's research, and/or clinical duties.

All other aspects of this NOFO remain the same.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

mira2019financial@nigms.nih.gov