If you haven't been to a NIH Regional Seminar before, you are missing out! 

The seminar held last week in Baltimore, MA was super informative and exciting!  Researchers and research administrators attending the event were able to ask their questions and learn from approximately 65 NIH and HHS staff.  These staff members consisted of NIH policy officials, grants management, program and review staff, and representatives from the HHS Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), and the HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG). 

The goal of the NIH regional seminar is to 1) demystify the application and review process, 2) clarify federal regulations and policies, and  3) highlight current areas of special interest or concern.  Topics ranged from general grant writing tips to an in-depth peer review mock study section.  Critical information on NIH policy updates were provided for clinical trials, including the revised proposal section on scientific premise and goals to reduce sex bias in cell and animal research with changes to prior standards for rigor & reproducibility. 

The best part of the conference by far, other than the hotel providing coffee this year, was the option to meet one-on-one with NIH and HHS staff.  The conference provided an area with small tables with two chairs to allow a sort of speed dating environment between attendees and presenters.  Attendees had an opportunity to sign up to meet for 15 minutes with a long list of diverse and experienced NIH and HHS staff members.  These one-on-one conversations were invaluable to me, and would be highly beneficial for any junior faculty!

 The next regional seminar will be held in May of 2018 in Washington, DC.  I hope you will consider attending this event!  Also, don't forget to check out the FSU internal program (Funding Agency Travel Program) to assist Faculty with travel for meeting with program officers.