I don’t know about the people working at the NIH, but I was giddy about the NIH funding from Obama’s stimulus plan. Anyone who has worked at the institute knows how each dollar from the taxpayers is stretched to accomplish lofty goals for better health and innovative research.
So it’s no surprise that the $10.4 billion funding is met with anticipation and excitement, and questions about how exactly will the funds be disbursed. Acting Director Raynard Kington answered that question in a statement this week -
- NIH will fund applications that are already on hand and expected to make progress in the next few years. Applications that have been judged for merit but did not receive awards last year due to lack of funds will finally get thei due this year.
- NIH will focus on preserving and creating jobs that contribute to the economy… “and deliver short-term investments that will have long-term impact."
- BUT – NIH will not restore cuts to existing programs or grants.
- AND – the money has to be spent in two years, so investigators asking for funds have to justify how they will spend them in that short period of time.
Read the complete article here - NIH Stimulus Spending Focused Mostly on Existing Grants; No Funds to Restore Previous Cuts.
Do you think the NIH spending plan will help boost research in genetics, and stimulate the economy?
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Kathmandu - Nepalese authorities Saturday confirmed the second outbreak of bird flu in the eastern part of the country. The new cases of the deadly strain of H5N1 virus were discovered after 149 chickens died at a poultry farm in Saranamati village o...
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Would it surprise you to know that American teenagers are interested in science, technology, engineering and math?
A survey found that an “overwhelming majority – 85 percent to be exact - of teenagers expressed interest in how things work” in the sciences. The 2009 Lemelson-MIT Innovation Index (LMII) also found that 80 percent felt their schools prepared them for careers in the STEM fields.
Unfortunately, that interest does not translate to pursuing higher studies or careers in the sciences. Why? These teenagers don’t know anyone working in the field or have a clue of what the fields are all about.
Take home message? Taking a little time to mentor interested teenagers might increase our future crop of scientists someday.
In “Help wanted: US teens need science and engineering mentors” blogger Matt Ford details his experience on mentoring, science outreach and shows you how to become one if you are interested.
Image: Newscom
Tags: careers in research, careers in science technology engineering math, e 2009 Lemelson-MIT Innovation Index (LMII), global leadership exchange, scientists, stem fields, student mentorsShare This
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