IC Directors’ Meeting Highlights — Thursday, February 15, 2018

Announcements

Dr. Collins provided updates regarding the President’s Budget, which includes $34.767 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2019 for the NIH, $699 million above the FY 2018 Continuing Resolution. Dr. Collins also shared that NIH’s Advisory Committee to the Director will have two new working groups:  one working group will discuss the ethical issues surrounding the acceptance of support from companies that have contributed to the opioid crisis; the second working group will review efficacy, demographics of applicants and awardees, and ways to increase applications from women and underrepresented groups. Finally, Dr. Collins provided highlights from the First Lady of the United States’ visit to the NIH Children’s Inn, as well as a reminder that Sen. Hassan will visit on Friday, February 16. 
Next Generation Researchers’ Initiative. 

Dr. Mike Lauer and Dr. Jodi Black presented on the Next Generation Researchers’ Initiative 
(NGRI)

Possible Interim Framework for 2018.  NGRI was established by the 21st Century Cures Act, Subtitle C – Supporting Young Emerging Scientists, with the goal of promoting opportunities for new researchers and earlier research independence by increasing opportunities for new researchers to receive funding and enhance workforce diversity. The NGRI policy was released in August 2017.  Drs. Lauer and Black provided information on a possible interim framework for 2018. 

Update: Anti-Harassment/Optimize NIH/Hiring 

Dr. Larry Tabak provided information on NIH’s Anti-Harassment effort, including a 3-phased approach to establish a hotline for harassment allegations, to develop an anti-sexual harassment policy, and to develop implementation approaches of the sexual-harassment policy. NIH will also continue to align hiring practices with Optimize NIH and ReImagine HHS efforts.