Funding Strategies
The NIEHS funds a substantial portfolio of research in the field of environmental health sciences conducted by investigators in many disciplines from various agencies, universities, and organizations. These extramural research activities span the range from basic mechanistic research, research involving laboratory animal models and systems, to clinical and epidemiologic studies using human subjects. NIEHS-supported investigators are currently determining how environmental agents cause or exacerbate a variety of human diseases and disorders. Grant applications are awarded and administered by the Division of Extramural Research and Training (DERT). In addition, certain applications – those from special solicitations – are reviewed in DERT, as well.
The NIEHS is also committed to developing the next generation of environmental health scientists. The Institute employs funding strategies aimed at introducing talented people at all educational levels to the fields of environmental health sciences and supports a variety of interdisciplinary training programs.
FY2012 Appropriation
The total amount of the extramural grants funds awarded in FY2012 was $328,751,000. The distribution of those funds is shown below. Information on NIH funding can be found at http://officeofbudget.od.nih.gov/br2012.html
NIEHS FY2012 Extramural Grants Distribution
(Excludes Superfund; dollars in thousands)
FY 2013
The Fiscal Year 2013 NIEHS appropriation provides for an overall budget for grants of $304,744,000.
Funding Strategies
The NIEHS makes its funding decisions based on scientific merit, program balance, responsiveness to the Institute's priorities, and availability of funds. Although there are no formal procedures for considering applications from new and early stage investigators, these applications are given priority when making funding decisions. For additional information on NIH resources for new investigators, see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/index.htm .
Each year, following the appropriation of funds, an operating plan is developed that takes into account set-asides for specific initiatives and allocations for investigator-initiated applications.
Competing Awards
Budget reductions will be necessary in order to meet NIH funding guidelines; however, the extent of these reductions and how they will be applied will be determined after taking into consideration the average cost of competing RPGs as well as the availability of funds. The average cost of RPG competing awards in FY2013 may not be larger than the average cost awarded in FY 2012.
The funding period may be adjusted based on percentile ranking, type of research, and new investigator status of the applicant.
NIEHS allocates the majority of its research project grants funds to applications based on ranked percentile/priority score order. For FY2013, NIEHS initially established paylines of 15% for investigator-initiated R01, R03, and R21 applications. This payline applies to applications received for the September Council Round. However, these paylines were adjusted to 13% for February and May Council Rounds, due to mandated budget reductions. In some cases, applications with scores outside this payline can be considered if, for instance, they are from Early Stage Investigators, of high programmatic priority, or to continue a previously supported resource.
For the most current information, you are encouraged to check with the appropriate Program Officer.Noncompeting Awards
In FY 2013 all noncompeting grants are being issued at a 2% reduction from the total competing commitment levels. Future year escalation is eliminated in all competing and non-competing awards. Reference NIH Guide Notice number NOT-OD-13-064 ( http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-13-064.html ).
