Following a suggestion from @benecal.bsky.social I will refer to these threads as "skeetorials" and will use this gif logo.
Today's skeetorial is about the NIH Director's New Innovator Award with three different heroes (all in government).
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Today's skeetorial is about the NIH Director's New Innovator Award with three different heroes (all in government).
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Comments
In February 2007, I was sitting in a meeting when one of the NIH Director's assistants came in to ask if I had a few minutes to speak with the NIH Director and the NIH budget director.
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I got up and met with Dr. Zerhouni and the budget director, John Bartrum.
Dr. Zerhouni started by saying "You know how I feel about taking steps to get young scientists off to a good start."
Yes, I knew this...his biggest passion.
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Dr. Zerhouni and John Bartrum were trying to get some extra money for NIH in this bill.
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I asked "For this year?" (with the end of the FY on 9/30).
"Yes, we will only be guaranteed the funds for this year?
"Sure, we can do that" (Yikes)
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This was to avoid the "commitment problem". Every multiyear grant that is funded in one FY means you have commitments for the next years (like a mortgage).
This was 1-year money with no guarantees.
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John Bartrum's idea was very smart, but it had a downside.
It would prevent creating future budget problems but would mean that each grant would be expensive, decreasing the number.
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