SPOTLIGHT
Letter from Dr. Stephen I. Katz: NIH Rheumatology Training Programs
Dear Colleagues:
I am pleased to highlight the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) Rheumatology Training Programs this month. A new website has been launched recently that contains information about:
- The NIH’s Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-certified fellowship program in rheumatology
- Advanced training in the Scholars in Translational Research Program
- Profiles of the programs’ internationally renowned research faculty
- Information on the cutting-edge clinical studies that are conducted at the NIH
Image: Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D.
NEWS
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Director Search Resumes
The search for the next director of the NIGMS has officially restarted. The search committee will begin reviewing applications in early fall 2012.
Renowned Researcher To Lead New Multidisciplinary Pain Program at NIH
Catherine Bushnell, Ph.D., an internationally recognized pain and neuroscience researcher, has been appointed scientific director of a new research program focusing on the role of the brain in perceiving, modifying and managing pain. Based in the NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), this collaborative effort will complement basic science and clinical research efforts of other ongoing intramural neuroscience, imaging and mental and behavioral health research programs.
Hip Replacement Information Now on NIHSeniorHealth.gov
Information about hip replacement—including reasons to have the surgery, how to prepare for and recover from it and ways to avoid complications—has been added to NIHSeniorHealth.gov, the senior-friendly health and wellness website from the NIH. Learn more about this surgery, which occurs most often among people between age 60 and 80.
NIH Funds Development of Tissue Chips To Help Predict Drug Safety: DARPA and FDA To Collaborate on Groundbreaking Therapeutic Development Initiative
Seventeen NIH grants are aimed at creating 3-D chips with living cells and tissues that accurately model the structure and function of human organs, such as the lung, liver and heart. Once developed, these tissue chips will be tested with compounds known to be safe or toxic in humans to help identify the most reliable drug safety signals—ultimately advancing research to help predict the safety of potential drugs in a faster, more cost-effective way. The initiative marks the first interagency collaboration launched by the NIH’s recently created National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The NIH’s newly funded Tissue Chip for Drug Screeninginitiative is the result of collaborations that focus the resources and ingenuity of the NIH, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
NIH Recognizes 20 Recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers
President Barack Obama has named this year’s recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government to outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers.
NIH Opens Pathways for Collaborations Between Intramural and Extramural Investigators
The NIH is taking steps to expand engagement with extramural investigators interested in collaborating with intramural researchers to use the unique resources of the NIH Clinical Center.
NIH and Lasker Foundation Announce First Clinical Research Scholar: University of Pennsylvania Researcher Dr. Nehal N. Mehta Joins NIH as Part of Unique Partnership
Nehal N. Mehta, M.D., has been named the inaugural Lasker Clinical Research Scholar, through a joint initiative of the NIH and the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation. Dr. Mehta, who was an instructor of cardiovascular medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has joined the intramural program in the NIH’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
NIH Creates Office of Emergency Care Research: Will Coordinate and Foster Research and Training in the Emergency Setting
To help improve health outcomes of patients who require emergency care, the NIH has created a new Office of Emergency Care Research. The office is a focal point for basic, clinical and translational emergency care research and training across the NIH.
NIH Video Reveals the Science Behind Yoga: Consumer-Friendly Resource Will Guide Viewers Through Research on Yoga’s Safety and Effectiveness
A video featuring research on how yoga works, the safety of yoga and whether yoga can help treat certain health problems was released by the NCCAM. For example, there is a growing body of evidence that yoga may be beneficial for low-back pain. However, yoga has not been found helpful for treating asthma, and studies investigating yoga for arthritis have had mixed results.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
NIH Research Matters
NIH Research Matters is a review of NIH research from the Office of Communications and Public Liaison, Office of the Director, NIH.
NIH Public Bulletin
Read about the latest public events, activities and health information resources from the NIH in the latest issue of the NIH Public Bulletin.
You can also subscribe to receive an email notification when new issues of the NIH Public Bulletin are available online.
NIH News in Health
Read practical health information in NIH News in Health, which is reviewed by the NIH’s medical experts and is based on research conducted either by the NIH’s own scientists or by its grantees at universities and medical schools around the country.
Red in the Face: Understanding Rosacea
Some people think of a rosy complexion as a sign of good health. But red patches on the face may point to something more troubling—a long-lasting skin disorder called rosacea.
Dizziness Can Be a Drag: Coping With Balance Disorders
Imagine reaching for something on a grocery store shelf and suddenly feeling unsteady. Or looking over your shoulder to back up the car and having things start whirling around you. Most people feel dizzy now and then. But if that feeling persists or interferes with your daily life, it could be a sign of a balance disorder.
MEETINGS
NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting
The NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting will be held September 11, 2012, in Building 31, 6th floor, C Wing, Conference Room 6, NIH Campus.
Follow-up: NIAMS 2012 Scientific Planning Retreat
The NIAMS held its annual Scientific Planning Retreat on April 23–24, 2012. Specific topics addressed included atopic dermatitis, stem cells, and tendon and ligament biology. Attendees also discussed an analysis of the NIAMS clinical trials portfolio and goals for clinical research, as well as ways in which to leverage NIAMS resources in strategic funding collaborations. The sessions were designed to help position the NIAMS to both assess and respond to future scientific directions.
Save the Date: Summit on the Science of Eliminating Health Disparities
Integrating Science, Policy and Practice
Building a Healthier Society
October 31–November 3, 2012
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
National Harbor, Maryland
Registration
FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS
NIAMS Announcements
Identification and Analysis of Causal Variants: Follow-up on Genome-Wide Association Studies for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R21)
(PAR-12-230)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: October 20, 2012; April 20, 2013; October 20, 2013
Application Receipt Dates: November 20, 2012; May 20, 2013; November 20, 2013
Identification and Analysis of Causal Variants: Follow-up on Genome-Wide Association Studies for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R01)
(PAR-12-236)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: October 20, 2012; April 20, 2013; October 20, 2013
Application Receipt Dates: November 20, 2012; May 20, 2013; November 20, 2013
Ancillary Studies to Large Ongoing Clinical Projects (R01)
(RFA-AR-13-010)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: November 3, 2012; March 15, 2013
Application Receipt Dates: December 3, 2012; April 16, 2013
Ancillary Studies to Large Ongoing Clinical Projects (R21)
(RFA-AR-13-011)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: November 3, 2012; March 15, 2013
Application Receipt Dates: December 3, 2012; April 16, 2013
Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers (U54)
(RFA-AR-13-012)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: October 19, 2012
Application Receipt Date: November 19, 2012
Notice of NIDDK Participation in NIAMS PA-12-208: Functions of Skeletal Muscle Beyond Contraction (R01)
(NOT-DK-12-009)
Notice of NIA Participation in NIAMS PA-12-208: Functions of Skeletal Muscle Beyond Contraction (R01)
(NOT-AG-12-014)
Notice of NIA Participation in NIAMS PA-12-209: Functions of Skeletal Muscle Beyond Contraction (R21)
(NOT-AG-12-015)
NIH Common Fund Initiative Announcements
Data Management and Resource Repository (DMRR) on Extracellular RNA (U54)
(RFA-RM-12-010)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: October 12, 2012
Application Receipt Date: November 13, 2012
Reference Profiles of Human Extracellular RNA (U01)
(RFA-RM-12-011)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: October 12, 2012
Application Receipt Date: November 13, 2012
Extracellular RNA Biogenesis, Biodistribution, Uptake and Effector Function (U19)
(RFA-RM-12-012)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: October 12, 2012
Application Receipt Date: November 13, 2012
Clinical Utility of Extracellular RNA for Biomarker Development (UH2/UH3)
(RFA-RM-12-013)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: October 12, 2012
Application Receipt Date: November 13, 2012
Clinical Utility of Extracellular RNA for Therapy Development (UH2/UH3)
(RFA-RM-12-014)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: October 12, 2012
Application Receipt Date: November 13, 2012
2013 NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Program (DP1)
(RFA-RM-12-015)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Date: October 9, 2012
2013 NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program (DP2)
(RFA-RM-12-016)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Date: October 17, 2012
NIH Director’s Early Independence Awards (DP5)
(RFA-RM-12-018)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: December 30, 2012
Application Receipt Date: January 30, 2013
Development and Application of Systems Approaches for Analyzing the Impact of Genomic Variation on Tissue Transcriptomes (R01)
(RFA-RM-12-019)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: October 19, 2012
Application Receipt Date: November 21, 2012
Notice of Invitation to Biotechnology Companies To Attend the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) Research Consortium Meeting
(NOT-RM-12-029)
Other Funding Announcements
Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers (LRP-CR)
(NOT-OD-12-123)
Extramural Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers From Disadvantaged Backgrounds (LRP-IDB)
(NOT-OD-12-124)
Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Pediatric Research (LRP-PR)
(NOT-OD-12-125)
Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Health Disparities Research (LRP-HDR)
(NOT-OD-12-126)
Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Contraception and Infertility Research (LRP-CIR)
(NOT-OD-12-127)
Clarification: Time Limit on NIH Resubmission Applications
(NOT-OD-12-128)
Guidance on Changes That Involve Human Subjects in Active Awards and That Will Require Prior NIH Approval
(NOT-OD-12-129)
If you would like to review information about funding opportunities more frequently than our monthly updates allow, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, the primary source for information about NIH funding opportunities. You can also request a weekly Table of Contents from the NIH Guide.