Federal Funding Briefing, October 2024

JAMESON-SELECTED NEWS, STORIES & INSIGHTS

In the October Federal Funding Briefing, we re-cap some of the news we shared this month. Look for the latest in legal actions, R&D budgets and the possible impact of the election on them, the new NIH Scientific Integrity Policy, and an impressive number of SBIR opportunities—including some of our own.

In Case You Haven’t Heard: An Election Is Looming

And it’s spawned a slew of articles. (No October surprise there.) Including two on the impact the election could have on R&D.

This Holland & Knight alert discusses the impact of a Harris or Trump administration and a divided Congress on DOE’s clean energy, climate and critical mineral programs. Read article.

Nature magazine joins the discussion with a news feature on China’s ascent in global STEM leadership, especially in publishing highly-cited papers. The future administration and Congress will be essential to science funding, international collaboration, Congressional increase of green cards and more. Read article.

Legal Confusion. And Notable Action.

When Loper v Raimondo resulted in the overturning of Chevron, some predicted a “tsunami of lawsuits.”  Now that the dust has settled, Venable LLP brings clarity to the matter with its in-depth review of both cases and decisions, Step Two cases that may be subject to new scrutiny, and thoughts on the future.

A major government fraud scheme involving untruthful certified pricing and cost data, double billing the DOD, and violations of the FCPA, AECA and ITAR led to Raytheon agreeing to pay an over $950M settlement. Details here.

Where’s The Money?

OSTP Director, Arati Prabhakar, recently echoed the Administration’s concerns regarding R&D budget constraints. At an American Enterprise Institute event, she discussed aging facilities and infrastructure, stalled construction projects, and the impact on tech development, including AI. Read article.

It seems that federal funding for major science agencies is nearing a 25-year low as a share of U.S. GDP.  At the same time, R&D investment from the business sector is strongly increasing, but tends to focus on late stage research.  This opinion piece details the funding data and its impact.

NIH Scientific Integrity Policy 2024

The new policy applies to all NIH staff, including contractors and those involved in research, as well as all individuals and institutions receiving NIH funding. Changes involve expanded definitions and clarifications, enhanced roles and responsibilities, political interference, foreign talent recruitment, and inclusivity. Gone are general statements on financial conflicts, political neutrality, and DEIA. Details here.

The More You Know…

The October Federal Funding Briefing also brings word of a number of opportunities for innovators to increase their knowledge base on grants and compliance. Here are few we shared:

• Want to apply for NIH research funding? Start here.
• For insights on the DOE SBIR & STTR programs and office, watch their video.
• If you’re interested in Go-To-Market Strategies, register for the NIA’s zoom webinar 11/4, 3-4:15  ET
• The NIH is hosting a special two-part virtual event, 11/13 & 14, 2024, designed to guide you through NIH Grants Process – from preparing your application to accepting the award. Details to event and links to registration are here.

Important Info & Opportunities for SBIR/STTR Grantees

NIH High Risk High Reward Reward Program: Get acquainted with a program designed to support junior and senior investigators who want to pursue innovative research that “due its inherent risk, may struggle in the traditional NIH peer review process.”  It just award 67 five-year grants totaling around $207M.  Read article.

8 Essential Steps to Secure SBIR-STTR Non-Dilutive Funding: Check out this LinkedIn blog outlining the basic steps and provides key links.

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