Hi-
It seems that modular research grants will be adopted for NIH applications
effective 1 Feb 99.  In short, for competing applications requesting under
$250,000 direct costs, no itemized budget will be required.  Budget info
will be provided in narrative form in modules of $25,000. [The above is
summarized from The Blue Sheet, 15 July].

Now, my questions...

Has anyone been involved in the pilot testing for this concept?  And if so:

How were budget categories delineated such that indirect cost calculations
could be made?  Did you recover the same IC as under the old method?

If the total cost for all equipment, supplies, travel, and other expenses
equals 3 modules, does the budget narrative begin to look like an itemized
budget?  Or does it just say "Here's all the stuff I need" and leave the
reader to imagine whether the stuff is worth 3 modules or 1 module?

Any new problems dealing with faculty?

thanks very much,

Charlie

**************************************
Charles B. Hathaway, Ph.D., Director
Office of Grant Support
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Belfer 312A
1300 Morris Park Avenue
Bronx, NY 10461
Phone: 718 430-3642     Fax: 718 430-8822
email: xxxxxx@aecom.yu.edu