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Summary of the NIH International Representatives Meeting

January 13, 2009

 

Dr. James Herrington, Director, Division of International Relations (DIR), NIH Fogarty International Center (FIC), welcomed the NIH IC representatives to Building 16, the Stone House. Dr. Herrington introduced Dr. Roger Glass, Director, FIC, and Dr. Linda Kupfer, Acting Director of FIC’s Division of International Science Policy, Planning and Evaluation (DISPPE). Dr. Glass gave a presentation on the contents of the NIH International Report, a document for which Dr. Kupfer coordinated the production.

Before Dr. Glass began his presentation, he announced that a full Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on global health would be coming out in March or April of this year. Harold Varmus, co-chair of an IOM committee, spoke on this report at the David E. Barmes lecture in December, 2008.

Dr. Glass began his presentation by stating that the process of putting together the NIH International Report began in 2006/2007. He explained that there hasn’t been an annual report on NIH international investments since 2000. Dr. Glass further stated that this new report will establish baseline quantitative data and will allow readers to see NIH investments geographically, by NIH institute, and by disease area.

Dr. Glass noted that the report shows little investment in Sub-Saharan Africa, in the Middle East and in North Africa, and stated that data from this report was the impetus for planning the November 2008 Global Research Summit meeting in Bamako, Mali, where leaders met to discuss key challenges and opportunities related to scientific research in Sub-Saharan Africa. Data from this report also helped FIC analyze how NIH has invested in parallel with the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), in selected African countries.

Dr. Glass commented that he never expected the process of gathering data for this report would be so complicated and arduous. A discussion ensued about the discrepancies among various databases that the ICs use to track foreign research investments. There needs to be a way for FIC to obtain correct, consistent numbers from each IC regarding their foreign research involvements for future reporting.

The NIH Office of Science Policy advises IC’s that they “can respond to requests for unofficial categories (with information on their IC’s funding only), but staff should follow any policies and procedures their IC has established regarding the release of such data and coordinate, as necessary, with their IC’s FOIA designee. When released, this information should be designated “unofficial”.”

Dr. Glass asked the group to state how data from the NIH International Report has been useful to the ICs. Dr. Herrington asked Farris Tuma from NIMH (participating via teleconference) to be the first to respond to this question. Dr. Tuma stated that the data has been useful for planning purposes; however, it is difficult to get accurate, consistent data from the various divisions of NIMH because so many are involved in managing research awards. He added that NIMH is now doing analysis on where they are invested, piecing together trends and projecting future needs.

Mr. Steve Smith of NIAID stated that the NIAID now uses a comprehensive database (Global Research Affairs Database or “GRADS”) that pulls data from many of the NIH grant databases and collects, codes and tracks projects for NIAID.

NIAID’s Mr. Gray Handley suggested that each IC be responsible for reporting their international data to the FIC, so that FIC has more accurate statistics for the next NIH International Report. He recommended that FIC compile a questionnaire for each IC to complete, phrasing each question in a way that will glean data that is consistent among all ICs.

Dr. Glass closed the meeting with a statement about the recent NIH transition team meeting. Global health was mentioned as one of four key priorities. Dr. Glass asked ICs to look through their portfolios to find examples of NIH research that has led to an improvement in the health of Americans, i.e., how global health helps the American public. He asked that the IC reps provide this paragraph to him or to Dr. Herrington via e-mail.

When asked for final comments by the group, NCI’s Dr. Joe Harford reported that the First Lady of Senegal has asked to meet with NCI. NCI has put together a presentation and Dr. Herrington will also participate in the meeting.

NICHD’s Dr. Daniel Singer reported that NICHD is putting the finishing touches on an international meeting in cooperation with the State Department on the protection of children from violence.

Attendance:
Dr. James Herrington, Acting Chair;
NIC: Dr. Joe Harford;
CSR: Dr. Dan Gerendasy;
NLM: Ms. Julia Royall;
NIAID: Mr. Gray Handley, Dr. Steve Smith, Dr. Karl Western, Dr. Ranjan Gupta;
NEI: Dr. Mary Frances Cotch;
NIDCD: Dr. Lana Shekim;
NINDS: Ms. Stacy Chambers;
NICHD: Dr. Dan Singer; Ms. Peggy Murray;
NIMH: Dr. Willo Pequegnat, Dr. Farris Tuma;
NIAAA: Dr. Dale Weiss;
FIC: Dr. Roger Glass, Dr. Michael Johnson, Ms. Melissa Harris, Ms. Linda Kupfer, Ms. Judy Levin, Dr. Marya Levintova, Mr. Kevin Bialy, Ms. Tina Chung, Mr. Thomas Mampilly, Ms. Barbara Sina, Mr. Ira Allen, Ms. Milagros Ruiz, Ms. Mantra Singh.

The next NIH International Representatives Meeting will be held on March 10, at the Stone House.

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