IC Directors’ Meeting Highlights — Thursday, March 10, 2016

Announcements: Francis Collins

Dr. Collins provided an overview of recent and upcoming Congressional activities, meetings, and visits. Brief updates on Zika, the Red Team meetings, NCBI, and the PMI retreat were given.

NCI R50 Staff Scientist Award: Doug Lowy, Dinah Singer

Drs. Lowy and Singer (NCI) presented an overview of the new NCI R50 Staff Scientist Award, including the issue, goals, process, application and review criteria, and plan for evaluating the program/award. The discussion focused on the expected number of awards, the flexibility given to the researcher, and the unintended consequences and benefits.

Biospecimen Policy: Kathy Hudson, Carrie Wolinetz

Dr. Hudson (DDSOP) provided a summary of the relevant provisions in the Common Rule NPRM, and potential options for addressing this issue.  The discussion centered on the pros and cons of each option, the practicalities for implementing each option, and potential pilots.