Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Materials to Enhance Training in Experimental Rigor (METER) (UE5 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this Notice is to alert the community that the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) plans to reissue initiativeRFA-NS-21-033 Materials to Enhance Training in Experimental Rigor (METER) with one receipt date. The program is designed to support the compilation and refinement of educational materials that will be incorporated into a new cutting-edge online resource that aims to promote awareness, understanding, and practice of fundamental principles of rigorous biomedical research for scientists in various career stages and learning environments. Awardees will collaborate with the established coordinating center, which is funded by the companionRFA-NS-21-009 Creating an Educational Nexus for Training in Experimental Rigor (CENTER). This coordinating center (CENTER) is responsible for organizing the initiative, building the final web-based platform, harmonizing the educational units, and producing digital elements (e.g., videos, graphics, interactive components) that are beyond the technical capabilities of METER awardees. This collaboration between CENTER and METER awardees will include activities to improve, finalize, evaluate, and disseminate the resulting educational units drafted by METER awardees. More information about the initiative, its current progress, and frequently asked questions can be found at https://www.ninds.nih.gov/current-research/trans-agency-activities/rigor-transparency/initiative-improve-education-principles-rigorous-research. This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. The overall objectives of the program have not changed; however, potential applicants can expect minor changes to improve the clarity of the previous announcement. The NOFO is expected to be published in Summer 2024 with an expected application due date in October 2024. This NOFO will utilize the UE5 activity code. Details of the planned NOFO are provided below.