NLM Funding Policies and Considerations

Funding Strategy

In making funding decisions, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) aligns its investments with the NIH mission to advance knowledge and improve health. Funding decisions are guided by scientific excellence and the goal of advancing the biomedical and data science fields. NLM considers the following factors:

• Prioritize scientific innovation and potential for field advancement
• Alignment with NLM, NIH, and HHS funding priorities
• Support a diverse portfolio spanning a broad range of topics and methodological approaches aligned with NLM’s mission
• Consider investigator career stage to promote a sustainable and resilient biomedical research workforce
• Promote broad distribution and geographic balance of funding
• Take into account the total amount and types of NIH support already available to individual investigators
• Make funding decisions within the context of available NLM resources

Budget Guidelines 

Competing Awards

• Competing awards will be funded at levels and duration based on programmatic and grants management funding recommendations and available funding. 
• The following standard budget reductions are generally used:
  • R01 using modular budget (≤ $250,000 direct costs, exclusive of subaward F&A), R21, and R15: 90% of the recommended level. 
  • R01 using categorical budget (> $250,000 direct costs, exclusive of subaward F&A): 85% of the recommended level.

Noncompeting Awards

• NLM expects to issue type 5/8 non-competing research project grants, career awards, and resource grant awards at 100% of the committed level, subject to the availability of funds. 
• Non-competing Fellowship and Training awards will be issued at 100% of the previously committed level, with stipend levels adjusted as applicable if updated levels are published by NIH. 
• SBIR/STTR type 4/5 non-competing grants are contingent on reauthorization and will be issued in accordance with applicable NIH guidance. 

Budget Considerations

• Inflationary increases for future year commitments are not permitted. NLM does not allow out-year salary escalations for individuals providing the same effort from the previous budget year’s salary request in competing and renewal applications, regardless of the reason for the requested salary increases, e.g., merit-based or cost of living. This applies to all other cost categories, e.g., supplies, travel, etc. Any non-inflationary, reason for year-to-year increases within a budget category should be clearly stated in the budget justification.