Notice Number: NOT-MH-17-021

Key Dates
Release Date: May 5, 2017

Issued by
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Purpose

The purpose of the Notice is to clarify the instructions as regards the use of the term "orthogonal" in describing eligible individuals for PAR-17-179.

"Orthogonal" fields/sciences in these instances should be defined as those encompassing the physical sciences (e.g., data/computational science, physics, engineering, mathematics). This definition should be utilized for all instances of this word usage in these FOAs

To further clarify meaning of "orthogonal" in the context of this FOA, the following modifications have been made.

Purpose

Currently reads:

The projects under this FOA will develop novel methods, theories, and approaches through a CN team framework, bringing together highly synergistic inter/transdisciplinary teams from neuroscience and "orthogonal" fields (e.g., data/computational science, physics, engineering, mathematics, and environmental sciences). 

Modified to read:

The projects under this FOA will develop novel methods, theories, and approaches through a CN team framework, bringing together highly synergistic inter/transdisciplinary teams from neuroscience and the orthogonal fields of the physical sciences (e.g., data/computational science, physics, engineering, mathematics). 

Section III.1 Eligible Applicants section, Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)

Currently reads:

Due to the transdisciplinary nature of the projects and the focus on collaboration and expertise sharing, this FOA requires the applicants to comprise a diverse transdisciplinary team of investigators with expertise from fields such as physical, mathematical, and computational sciences, as well as neuroscience, neuropsychiatry, and other areas of the biological sciences. Successful MPI applications MUST have at least one PD/PI with expertise in “orthogonal” sciences (e.g., data/computational science, physics, engineering, mathematics, environmental sciences) and one PD/PI with synergistic expertise in neuroscience/neuropsychiatry.

Modified to read:

Due to the transdisciplinary nature of the projects and the focus on collaboration and expertise sharing, this FOA requires the applicants to comprise a diverse transdisciplinary team of investigators with expertise in the orthogonal fields of physical sciences including mathematics, physics and computational sciences, as well as neuroscience, neuropsychiatry, and other areas of the biological sciences. Successful MPI applications MUST have at least one PD/PI with formal training and expertise in the orthogonal fields of the physical sciences (e.g., data/computational science, physics, engineering, mathematics) and one PD/PI with synergistic expertise in neuroscience/neuropsychiatry. Formal training and expertise may include undergraduate or graduate degrees or successful track record in that field that demonstrates impact on the field.

All other aspects of the FOA remain unchanged.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Geetha Senthil, Ph.D.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Telephone: 301-402-0754
Email: [email protected]