There is a heightened awareness regarding the importance
of mathematical modeling research in biology and medicine among
several of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As members
will recall we prepared a survey of funding and presented the
results in the last newsletter Since that time several announcements
have been made by the NIH which are of great interest to the membership.
The most appropriate response to these program announcements
is the submission of high quality applications by the membership
of the SMB. As Dr. Leon Glass, President of the SMB has emphasized
that the NIH will judge the need for funding mathematical biology
research applications based on the number and quality of applications
that are received. He strongly encourages SMB members who are
working in areas that may be eligible for funding under these
program announcements to apply for support. The SMB is working
to ensure that a pool of qualified reviewers are available to
the NIH.
You can easily download the announcements directly from NIH at the URL's listed below. A program announcement from the NIH allows you to apply for grants under the normal NIH cycles, but indicates that your grant is geared to a research area that NIH has announced they are interested in funding. The main homepage for the NIH is http://www.nih.gov.
Information regarding submissions and forms and other
information can be found there.
The purpose of this initiative is to support new
quantitative approaches to the study of complex, fundamental biological
processes by encouraging non-traditional collaborations across
disciplinary lines. The National Institute of General Medical
Sciences (NIGMS) will provide supplements to existing NIGMS grants
to support the salary and expenses of collaborating investigators
such as physicists, engineers, mathematicians, and other experts
with quantitative skills relevant to the analysis of complex systems.
It is expected that the collaboration will result in new directions
for the parent project, or new research projects that will compete
for independent funding.
The purpose of this program announcement is to advertise
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) interest in supporting research
projects that develop quantitative approaches to describe, analyze,
and predict the behavior of complex biological systems, especially
those requiring the integration of potentially large amounts of
molecular, biochemical, cell biological, and physiological data.
Such studies, adapted to the analysis of complex systems in humans,
will ultimately have an impact on the treatment of human disorders
and disease. These projects are expected to require the participation
of individuals with diverse expertise and therefore to be of a
collaborative and cross-disciplinary nature. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to consider research areas in which systems approaches
are likely to make significant contributions. These include NIGMS
supported research on basic studies in genetics, biochemistry,
neuroscience, cell biology, and developmental biology that typically
utilize non-human model systems; basic studies in pharmacology,
physiology, metabolic engineering, anesthesiology, and inflammation,
burn, and trauma. The NIMH expresses particular interest in studies
using mathematical, computational, or theoretical approaches to
understanding the fundamental biological mechanisms underlying
behavior.
The purpose of this program announcement is to provide support for short courses or workshops to assist scientists in preparing for research on complex phenotypes and complex systems. This award is for scientists studying complex phenotypes and/or complex systems must have strong backgrounds both in biology and in the analysis and interpretation of very complex data. It is important that biologists have a solid understanding of the available mathematical and computational tools so that they can use the tools constructively. Biologists may also require instruction in the language and applications of mathematics and statistics in order to collaborate with mathematicians about biological complexity. Scientists with mathematical skills who wish to apply their knowledge to studies of complexity may also require instruction on the nature, issues, and language of biological research.