The NIH has been privileged td receive strong and sustained public support for its programs. We have long considered our-selves challenged to get the most high-quality research for every dollar NIH invests and to keep to a minimum the paperwork required of the researchers it supports. We have been acutely aware of the need to simplify procedures while maintaining fiscal accountability, meeting higher standards of protection for research subjects, and assuring optimal use of research funds.
A continuing examination of the review and award process, initiated by our current Director James B. Wyngaarden, has resulted in the recent introduction of special long-term grants called MERIT and FIRST awards. NIH also is a leading participant in the Florida Demonstration Project, a novel collaborative project to streamline the administrative requirements associated with grants for basic research. With Panem, we see these as a first step in meeting the challenge to "keep it ...
