[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 37 (Monday, February 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8392-8393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3152]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


National Institute of General Medical Sciences 2008-2012 
Strategic Plan

ACTION: Notice with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NIGMS is initiating a strategic planning process that will 
culminate in the NIGMS Strategic Plan for 2008-2012. To assist with 
this process, NIGMS requests input from scientists, scientific 
organizations, and other interested parties. The goal of this strategic 
planning process is to identify Institute priorities and guide 
decision-making over the next five years. Information about NIGMS can 
be found at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/.

DATES: In order to ensure full consideration, responses must be 
submitted by 12 midnight EDT on March 20, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Interested individuals and organizations should submit their 
responses to http://www.nigms.nih.gov/About/StrategicPlan/Input.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The mission of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences 
(NIGMS) is to support basic research whose results lay the foundation 
for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. NIGMS-funded 
researchers seek to answer important questions in fields such as cell 
biology, biophysics, genetics, developmental biology, pharmacology, 
physiology, biochemistry, chemistry, bioinformatics, and computational 
biology, and in selected cross-cutting clinical areas that affect 
multiple organ systems. NIGMS also provides leadership in promoting the 
diversity of the scientific workforce and in training the next 
generation of scientists to assure the vitality and continued 
productivity of basic research.
    NIGMS has embarked on a strategic planning process to identify 
Institute priorities to guide decision-making over the next five years. 
To assure the broadest possible input, NIGMS is inviting the 
scientists, scientific organizations, and other interested parties to 
respond electronically to a series of questions, listed below.
     What factors should NIGMS consider in deciding how to set 
its priorities with respect to new and existing areas of support?
     What factors should NIGMS consider in deciding how to set 
its priorities with respect to research training?
     What new or emerging areas, approaches, or technologies in 
basic biomedical research should NIGMS pursue?
     As part of its efforts to maintain a balanced research 
portfolio, how can NIGMS best encourage and support research that is 
highly innovative and/or risky?
     Are there areas of current NIGMS research activity that 
should receive less emphasis?
     How can NIGMS enhance its communication with the 
scientific community and the public?
     How can NIGMS more effectively promote and encourage 
greater diversity in the biomedical research workforce?
    You may also submit other comments relevant to NIGMS that are not 
specifically addressed in these questions.
    Responses will be limited to approximately 500 words per question. 
All information provided will be processed and analyzed with strict 
anonymity.
    Contact Person: Judith H. Greenberg, PhD., National Institute of 
General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of

[[Page 8393]]

Health, Building 45, Room 2AS25, 45 Center Drive, MSC 6200, Bethesda, 
Maryland 20892-6200; 301-594-0943; [email protected].

    Dated: February 16, 2007.
Jeremy M. Berg,
Director, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National 
Institutes of Health.
 [FR Doc. E7-3152 Filed 2-23-07; 8:45 am]
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