Notice to Allow Requests for Budget Increases for NINDS Research Program Award (R35)

Notice Number: NOT-NS-19-058

Key Dates
Release Date: June 12, 2019

Related Announcements
RFA-NS-19-037

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

Purpose

The purpose of this Notice is to inform current and future recipients of the NINDS R35 Research Program Award (RPA) of the opportunity to request a budget increase based on exceptional circumstances at the year five (5) administrative review.

The RPA provides long-term support to Principal Investigators (PIs) by consolidating their NINDS research support into a single funding vehicle for up to eight years at a fixed level that is generally commensurate with the PI’s funding over the prior four years. This greater funding stability provides recipients with increased freedom and flexibility, allowing them to be more adventurous in their research, take greater risks, embark upon research that breaks new ground, undertake research projects that require a longer timeframe, and/or extend previous discoveries in new directions.

Under exceptional circumstances, we will consider requests for budget increases at the year five administrative review to capitalize on groundbreaking scientific findings. Although no RPA budget will exceed $750K direct costs (DC) per year, requests for increases in $50K DC increments, to a maximum $150K DC, will be considered and discussed with the NINDS Advisory Council. If approved, an increase will extend for the duration of the award. When evaluating a proposed budget increase, the factors NINDS will consider include: 1) the PI’s other support (including non-NIH and non-Federal funding); 2) the career stage of the PI; 3) the progress of the research program during the first four years of the R35 award; and 4) the size of the initial R35 award. PIs with significant other support will generally not receive budget increases. More specific guidance will be provided to R35-funded investigators in advance of the Year 5 administrative review.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Anna Taylor, Ph.D.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) / Division of Extramural Activities (DEA)
Telephone: 301-827-3565
Email: Anna.Taylor@nih.gov