Notices, Blog Posts, and References

We are continuously working to enhance scientific rigor and transparency in biomedical research. Learn more about the timeline of our efforts.

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Notices
Blog Posts
References

Guide Notices

Date	Notice	Details
September 14, 2018	NOT-OD-18-228 NOT-OD-18-229	For research grant and career development award applications, beginning with applications due on January 25, 2019, the term "rigor of the prior research" will replace the term "scientific premise" under Significance. In addition, applicants will be asked to describe plans to address weaknesses in the rigor of the prior research under Approach.
May 31, 2017	NOT-OD-17-068	Reminds applicants proposing the use of established key biological and/or chemical resources to include a plan to authenticate these resources in the "Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources" attachment.
December 17, 2015	NOT-OD-16-034	Upcoming requirements for formal instruction in rigorous experimental design and transparency to enhance reproducibility. This notice applies to institutional training grants (D43, T15, T32/TL1, T34, T35, T36, T37, T90/R90, and U2R), institutional career development awards (K12/KL2), and individual fellowships (F05, F30, F31, F32, F37, F38, and FI2).
December 15, 2015	NOT-OD-16-031	PHS Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) instructions include additional guidance to address rigor under Accomplishments, Section B.2 and B.6.
October 13, 2015	NOT-OD-16-004 NOT-OD-16-011 NOT-OD-16-012	Overview of updates to form instructions Implementing Rigor and Transparency in NIH & AHRQ Research Grant Applications Implementing Rigor and Transparency in NIH & AHRQ Career Development Award Applications
June 9, 2015	NOT-OD-15-103 NOT-OD-15-102	Enhancing Reproducibility through Rigor and Transparency Considering Sex as a Biological Variable in NIH-funded Research

Blog Posts

February 10, 2023

Take Advantage of Our Many Resources for Enhancing the Rigor of Animal Research, Dr. Mike Lauer

June 9, 2021

New and Updated Resources Available to Help Design Rigorous Clinical Trials, Dr. David Murray

June 23, 2020

Help Us Strengthen Rigor of Animal Research: Public Feedback Requested, Dr. Mike Lauer

December 13, 2018

Resources for Rigorous Research, Dr. Mike Lauer

July 2, 2018:

Rigorous Resources for Rigorous Research . “Open Mike” , Dr. Mike Lauer.

January 29, 2016: A series of Open Mike blog posts on each of the four focus areas of the rigor and transparency policy for research grant and career development award applications:

October 30, 2015:

Bolstering Trust in Science through Rigorous Standards . “Open Mike” , Dr. Mike Lauer.

June 9, 2015

Enhancing Reproducibility in NIH-supported Research through Rigor and Transparency , “Rock Talk” , Dr. Sally Rockey and Dr. Larry Tabak.

May 20, 2015

Listening to Our Stakeholders On Considering Sex as a Biological Variable, “Rock Talk” and ORWH , Dr. Sally Rockey & Dr. Janine Clayton.

References

eLife Article: “Framework for advancing rigorous research” Koroshetz, et al., 03/04/2020
J Womens Health (Larchmt) Special: “Sex as a Biological Variable: A 5-Year Progress Report and Call to Action” Arnegard, et al. 01/22/2020
FASEB Journal Life Sciences Forums: "Studying both sexes: a guiding principle for biomedicine" Clayton 10/29/2015
Science Perspectives: "Fixing problems with cell lines" Lorsch, Collins & Lippincott-Schwartz, 12/19/2014
Science Editorial: "Journals Unite for Reproducibility" 11/07/2014
Nature Commentary: "Policy: NIH to balance sex in cell and animal studies" Clayton & Collins, 05/14/2014
Nature Commentary: "Policy: NIH plans to enhance reproducibility" Collins & Tabak, 01/27/2014
Nature Perspectives: "A call for transparent reporting to optimize the predictive value of preclinical research" Landis, et al., 10/10/2012