Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know about Research Grant Supplements National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse May 22, 2003 Richard A. Millstein, J.D. Deputy Director, NIDA NIH, DHHS

Supplements… Occasions arise when investigators believe that their approved budgets are not sufficient. NIH has a process that allows consideration for existing budgets to receive additional funds, a “supplement”. There are two types of supplements –Competitive Supplements –Administrative Supplements

Competitive Supplements “A request for an increase in support in a current budget period for expansion of the project’s approved scope of research protocol” (NIH Grants Policy Statement) Applicant initiates and submits on PHS 398 for peer review Expands beyond scope of “parent grant” but work is closely tied to it.

Changes in Scope Change in specific aims Change from the approved use of animals or human subjects Shift of research emphasis from one disease area to another Transfer of substantive programmatic work to a third party [examples from NIH Grants Policy Statement]

Administrative Supplements “A request for additional funding for a current budget period to meet increased costs that are within the scope of the approved application but that were unforeseen…” (NIH Grants Policy Statement) Applicant initiates and submits for internal review

Examples of unforeseen costs Salary increases Loss of equipment originally available from other sources (a facility closes, earthquake damage) Correcting errors in recommendations or awards Orderly termination Bridge Funding

Administrative Supplements for Special Purposes NIH allows use of Administrative Supplements to achieve special purposes NIDA uses Administrative Supplements for these NIH-wide purposes, as well as for on- going programs and one-time applications.

NIH-wide Administrative Supplement Programs Underrepresented Minorities Individuals with Disabilities Re-entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers These provide supplies, salary, and travel to allow research directly related to on-going research of parent grant.

NIDA Administrative Supplements AIDS Supplements Methamphetamine Animal Models Health Disparities International Collaborations South Africa Initiative World Trade Center Disaster

NIDA Dollars: “Special Supplement Programs”

NIDA Dollars for “Regular” Administrative Supplements

NIDA Dollars for Supplements FY

Council’s Role Consider competitive supplements along with competing grant applications Advise and approve administrative supplements Delegated authority for some administrative supplements to NIDA staff

Council’s Delegations: Subject to budget thresholds, staff may approve-- Increases of salary & fringe benefits Replacement of lost or broken equipment Correction of errors or oversights in applications, study section recommendations, or awards Orderly termination & bridge funding Some modifications in scope to take advantage of opportunities

Council Delegations: Council Reserved Its Approval for--- Any supplement for 25% or more of the direct costs for the year to which the supplement is attached Any supplement of $100,000 or more in direct costs for any year

Electronic Tracking Updating Supplement: DESPR/PRB DA R % of parent grant: ___

Take Home Messages Supplements serve a range of purposes Administrative and competitive supplements are distinct NIDA is implementing more systematic tracking, analysis, and oversight of the supplement award process Relevance to budget scenarios in the post- NIH doubled budget years.