What does DER mean in RESEARCH

The Division of Extramural Research (DER) is part of the National Institutes of Health and is responsible for providing direction and oversight for the implementation of federal biomedical and behavioral research grants. DER's purpose is to help ensure that funds are spent wisely and that grant awards are allocated in accordance with the priorities set out by Congress and other funding sources.

DER provides guidance on extramural grant policies, processes, procedures, and related activities such as training for staff, applicants, and awardees. It also manages resources used for extramural grants, evaluates applications for grants, monitors grants after they have been approved, resolves disputes among grantees, conducts outreach activities to increase participation in relevant research areas, and formulates policy recommendations regarding grant allocations.

DER provides direct support through standard and cooperative agreement mechanisms to researchers within universities or other nonprofit organizations; to state governments; to industry or commercial firms; to foreign organizations; and to other public institutions. Grants cover a wide range of scientific areas including basic biomedical sciences, medical research specialties such as genomics, biostatistics, clinical trials, epidemiology studies, health economics/statistical analysis, medical informatics/health information technology systems development efforts; public health interventions; HIV/AIDS clinical care; pediatric diseases; nutrition research initiatives; mental health studies; chemical dependency treatment protocols; environmental health studies; translational research programs in precision medicine initiatives involving human subjects’ data collection; healthcare systems reform projects.

Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria can submit an application for a grant managed by the Division of Extramural Research. The criteria vary based on the type of award being applied for but generally include at least one US-based institution as an applicant or awardee. This could be a university institution or other eligible organization such as a non-profit organization or government agency. Specific details about eligibility requirements can be found in each individual funding opportunity announcement.

Funding opportunities are listed on the NIH Extramural Opportunities page which is updated regularly with new solicitations available for application submission. You can also find specific application instructions here or contact DER staff directly with any questions you may have about an individual solicitation before applying.

All proposals must be submitted electronically via the eRA Commons system provided by NIH - this is typically done through your home institution if you are affiliated with one - where registered users can access additional information related to their grants including budgets reports status updates etc Once logged in users should click on “My NCBI” tab select “Submit an Application” option then follow prompts. Additional instructions may be found online at Grants Registration & Submission System Help Desk website.