Franci --

Since you say this PI doesn't really have good justification for #1, and
since #2 would significantly reduce the scope of the work proposed, my
suggestion would be to use the appropriate modular total for your average
of $33K/year, which would be $50K/year.  Who knows what the feds will do
when they see your detailed budget if this is funded -- maybe they'll give
you two modules in Year 1 and and 1 module each in Years 2 and 3 (this is
my own wild guess based on absolutely no information whatsoever! -- perhaps
someone else out there could comment on that possibility), but I would go
for $50K/year, UNLESS the scope of the project can be fit into 2 years
(your option #3) @ $50K/year.

If the PI is worried about being noncompetitive (even tho the study section
is supposed to NOT consider the dollars), then I believe she will have to
decide how she could fit her project into one of your 3 other scenarios,
but I'd certainly try to persuade her to go with 2 modules/year for 3 years.

-- Evelyn

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evelyn J. Ford, Manager, Accounting Operations
Office of Research Support Services
School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
356 Anatomy-Chemistry Building
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Philadelphia PA 19104-6061
voice 215.573.1395   fax 215.573.8802
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At 04:47 PM 8/16/99 -0400, you wrote:
>I'm looking for advice about preparing NIH-AREA budgets using modules.
>I have a faculty member who needs about $33K per year for a standard three
>year research program.  She has no special, one-time needs, to justify an
>extra module.    As I understand the module system, she has three options:
>1)  Justify extra funding in Year 1 for extra supplies, small equipment, or
>other first year costs and cut back on supplies and students in Years 2 & 3
>for a $100K budget.  Presumably she could then spend less than anticipated
>in Year 1 and carry it over to the later years -- but probably would be
>expected to purchase some of those supplies and equipment.
>2)  Do a $75K budget -- which means cutting students, supplies, and/or
>summer salary.
>3)  Do a $100K budget for two years -- which means adding supplies,
>equipment, travel, and students.    She probably wouldn't spend it all and
>could request a no-cost extension but would end up having to reapply a year
>sooner than currently planned.
>
>Am I missing something?    There doesn't seem to be any way for her to run a
>simple, balanced, three year program for $100K.
>
>Franci Farnsworth
>
>Frances Vinal Farnsworth
>Coordinator of Sponsored Research
>Munford House
>MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE
>Middlebury, VT 05753
>Tel:  802-443-5889
>Fax: 802-443-2081
>email:  xxxxxx@middlebury.edu
>
>
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