The hypercompetitive funding environment was one of the reasons NIH launched the Next Generation Researchers Initiative, which still exists and continues to affect researchers early in their careers. Focus will remain working towards expanding opportunities like these that support and prioritize researchers early in their careers and further diversifying the future research workforce.

NIH supported 1,412 early-stage investigators (ESIs) in fiscal year (FY) 2020 and 1,513 in FY 2021, which were both all-time highs. These ESIs were first-time Principal Investigators designated on type 1 (new) R01-equivalent awards. NIH supported an additional 1,609 ESIs in FY 2022

(6.3% increase over FY 2021). 

Reviewers are trusted and required to maintain confidentiality throughout the application review process. Thus, using AI to assist in peer review would involve a breach of confidentiality. In a recent guide notice, NIH scientific peer reviewers are prohibited from using natural language processors, large language models, or other generative AI technologies for analyzing and formulating peer review critiques for grant applications and R&D contract proposals.

Reviewers have long been required to certify and sign an agreement that says they will not share applications, proposals, or meeting materials with anyone who has not been officially designated to participate in the peer review process. This includes websites, apps, or other AI platforms.

Using AI tools may introduce several concerns related to research misconduct, like including plagiarized text from someone else’s work or fabricated citations. If NIH identifies plagiarized, falsified, or fabricated information in a grant write-up, NIH will take appropriate actions to address the non-compliance.

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training applies to ALL faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduates, and postdoctoral fellows participating in research. The deadline to complete RCR In-Person Training/Discussion has passed.

Dr. Richard Charnigo is offering two CPH sessions via Zoom in July.

Thursday, July 20, 2023, at 7PM 

Register: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_42QicuEqEcLAgMm

Monday, July 24, 2023, at 1PM

Register: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_00yaRSdOJ0LijhY

ESI Resources:

• ESI Status infographic – more information for those who are PD/PI on a multi-project award, co-investigators, subawards, and others
• List of NIH grants that a PD/PI can hold and still be considered an ESI
• ESI Policies page
• ESI FAQs

The early-career reviewer program recruits early-career researchers to serve as peer-reviewers of grant proposals submitted to the William T. Grant Foundation for studies on improving the use of research evidence. Apart from reading and evaluating grant proposals in their area of expertise, early-career reviewers receive personalized feedback from Foundation program officers and have access to additional reviews of proposals prepared by senior peer-reviewers. This professional development program aims to build early-career researchers’ understanding of the proposal evaluation and peer-review process for research grants to strengthen their own proposal writing skills and ultimately advance their careers. The deadline to apply is July 18, 2023.

Purpose: The overarching goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research. To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this opportunity will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on: Courses for Skills Development and Research Experiences.

This opportunity provides support to eligible, domestic institutions to develop and implement Postbaccalaureate Research Education Programs in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (DEM). These post-baccalaureate research programs will incorporate extensive research experiences and well-designed courses for skills development to prepare recent college graduates from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups, to transition into and complete rigorous, research-focused biomedical doctoral degree programs (e.g., Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.). The long-term goal of post-baccalaureate participants admitted to the program should be pursuing a career focused on DEM-related research.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants for the R25 must be research-intensive doctoral degree-granting institutions with a research base in DEM science of at least $3 million in direct costs of peer-reviewed research projects, and research opportunities for students admitted to the program must be in DEM science. The selected faculty should be trained researchers in the DEM-related biomedical sciences as demonstrated by recent publications and research support.

Funding Amount/ Project Period: $375,000 in direct costs per year for 4 years

Institutional Limit: 1

Internal Competition: To participate in the university’s selection process, please upload the following, assembled into a single PDF file, to the Office of the Vice President for Research via this portal with a copy to your Associate Dean for Research by July 25, 2023:

1. Names and departments or affiliations of the applicant and other key personnel or partners
2. Title of program and/or funding opportunity announcement number
3. Brief project description (2 pages maximum)
4. Brief biographical sketch

A committee will be convened to review the material and make a recommendation.

For questions or issues with submission through the portal, email the limited submission mailbox (limitedsubmissions@uky.edu), or call 257-2861.

Agency Deadline: letter of intent – September 25, 2023; full application – October 25, 2023