Guidelines for Support of Scientific Meetings by NIGMS

On September 24, 2003, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published general guidance for applicant organizations in the development of applications requesting support for scientific meetings (PAR-03-176). Updated details can be found in the following program announcement, published Sept. 24, 2003 in the online NIH Guide for Grants & Contracts:

NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-03-176.html

This guidance contains important information about NIH policy and procedures concerning the application process and supplemental instructions for completing the PHS-398 application form, which is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. The guidance should be reviewed carefully before preparing an application.

Special Information for Potential Applicants to NIGMS

Letter of Intent

NIGMS requires potential applicants to submit a letter of intent to one of the NIGMS contact people listed below at least 30 days before the application deadline. The letter of intent must contain the title, purpose, significance, content, audience, and location of the proposed scientific meeting. The letter does not need to be longer than one page. Potential applicants are encouraged to talk to a contact person, as well. Note that there must be at least 6 months between the application deadline and the date of the proposed conference.

All applications to NIH for support of scientific meetings must have an acceptance letter accompanying the grant application before they will be assigned to one or more Institutes/Centers by the Center for Scientific Review Referral Office. Applications lacking the acceptance letter will be returned to the applicant without assignment or review. NIGMS program staff will accept applications for assignment, including secondary assignments, only if there is interest in supporting the scientific meeting. 

Areas of Interest

Three of the four NIGMS Divisions support scientific meetings, conferences, and workshops on basic biomedical research that is not targeted to specific diseases or disorders. Additional information on the areas of science supported by NIGMS can be obtained from the NIGMS home page or by talking to one of the contact people listed below. However, it is important to note that simply because a scientific meeting falls within the general areas of science supported by NIGMS, it does not mean that NIGMS will be interested in supporting the meeting. Again, it is extremely important that the applicant discuss this issue with one of the NIGMS contact people listed below before preparing a letter of intent or an application.

The fourth NIGMS Division, the Division of Minority Opportunities in Research, administers research and research training programs aimed at increasing the number of minority biomedical scientists. Two of the Division's components, Special Initiatives and MARC (Minority Access to Research Careers), also support meetings, conferences, workshops, and other activities that build networks among individuals and educational institutions to promote minority participation in sponsored research.

NIGMS Contacts

The following individuals are the NIGMS contacts for information on supporting a scientific meeting:

Dr. James C. Cassatt
Director, Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics
(301) 594-0828
e-mail: cassattj@nigms.nih.gov

Dr. Judith H. Greenberg
Director, Division of Genetics and Developmental Biology
(301) 594-0943
e-mail: greenbej@nigms.nih.gov

Dr. Clifton Poodry
Director, Division of Minority Opportunities in Research
(301) 594-3900
e-mail: poodryc@nigms.nih.gov

Dr. Michael E. Rogers
Director, Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry
(301) 594-3827
e-mail: rogersm@nigms.nih.gov

Mechanism of Support and Evaluation Process

Scientific meetings supported by NIGMS are funded by assistance mechanisms (grants and cooperative agreements) and may be funded for up to five (5) years. All applications for such meetings will be evaluated for programmatic relevance by NIGMS staff and reviewed for merit by the Center for Scientific Review or the NIGMS Office of Scientific Review.

Receipt Dates

All applications must be submitted at least six (6) months prior to the meeting. Applications will be received on the three Center for Scientific Review receipt deadlines of April 15, August 15, and December 15.