National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006

1
National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006

• December 8, 2006 Congress unanimously passed a
  reauthorization bill affirming the importance of
  NIH and its vital role in advancing biomedical
  research to improve the health of the Nation
• The legislation authorizes a new process to
  facilitate trans-NIH research
• The implementation process begins immediately
  upon signing by the President

2
Key Provisions in the Bill

• Establishes Division of Program Coordination,
  Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI)
  within Office of the Director
• Common Fund
• No formula for growth
• Review required when Common Fund reaches 5
• Council of Councils to advise on research
  proposals that would be funded by the Common Fund
• Establishes Scientific Management Review Board
  (SMRB) to conduct periodic organizational reviews
  of NIH, and to make recommendations on the use of
  NIH organizational authorities
• Authorizes (but does not appropriate) an increase
  in NIH funding for each of the next 3 years

3
Key Provisions in the Bill contd

• Requires public process for reorganizing NIH
  programs
• Many reporting requirements are eliminated or
  subsumed in new biennial report
• NCRR specific provision Enhancing the Clinical
  and Translational Science Awards
• Requires the establishment of a mechanism to
  preserve independent funding and infrastructure
  for pediatric clinical research centers

4
Implementation of the Legislation

• Ad Hoc Working Group chaired by Raynard S.
  Kington, M.D., Ph.D., NIH Deputy Director
• Working Group membership includes IC Directors
  and senior leaders in legislation, policy,
  management, communications, extramural and
  intramural activities, budget, general counsel
• Ad Hoc Working Group charge To complete a
  careful, detailed analysis of the legislation and
  propose plans for its implementation that will
  aid NIH in serving the public and our scientific
  community more effectively

5
NIH Reform Act of 2006

• This affirmation from Congress has come at a
  critical time, and we want to ensure that we take
  the best possible advantage of its promise. We
  will be communicating with the community
  regularly as we make progress in this process.
  
• 
  Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D.