IC Directors’ Meeting Highlights — Thursday, December 21, 2017

Announcements

Dr. Collins provided brief remarks regarding a recent visit by Senator Blunt.  He also provided a summary of the meeting with Department of Health and Human Services Acting Secretary Hargan.  Dr. Collins provided highlights from the Advisory Committee to the Director meeting on December 14-15, 2017.  In addition, he provided a brief update on opioids, as well as the Gain of Function Research Policy.

Data Security for Institute Centers Demographic Data

Dr. Michael Lauer, Office of Extramural Research, provided an update on Data Security for Institute Centers Demographic Data.  Congressional legislation (H.R.34 – 21^st Century Cures Act, Subtitle C – supporting Young Emerging Scientists, Section 2021 – Investing in the Next Generation of Researchers), states that, “The Director of the National Institutes of Health shall develop, modify, or prioritize polices, as needed … to promote opportunities for new researchers and earlier research independence, … , and enhance workforce diversity.”  

To accomplish the goal of promoting diversity in the extramural scientific workforce, NIH will review relevant data through portfolio analysis and the Next Generation Researchers Initiative (Notice number:  NOT-OD-17-101).  As this data may include personal identifiable information, Dr. Lauer introduced a data sharing agreement that NIH will use to ensure data is protected and safeguarded and that individuals handling this data are properly trained.

Increasing Diversity of the NIH Directors Pioneer Award Recipients

The IC Directors discussed their concern for increasing the diversity of the recipients of the NIH Directors Pioneer Award program.  Specifically, Dr. Tabak will begin a working group to further review why this award program is not attracting more female applicants.

ReImagine HHS and Shutdown Presentations

Dr. Tabak provided a brief update on NIH’s efforts for the ReImagine HHS initiative.  Optimize NIH will examine how to improve effectiveness and efficiency in the areas of ethics, committee management, and Freedom of Information Act activities.

Dr. Alfred Johnson provided information on preparing for the potential Federal Government Shutdown.