Thomas Lehner, PhD, MPH

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The World is Flat
Why the Future of Science Depends on
International Collaboration
April 11, 2008
Thomas Lehner, PhD, MPH NIMH
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Today

• NIH
• Funding
• Grantees
• Scientific World
• Examples
• Conclusion

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National Institutes of Health
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NIH Mission
The mission of the NIH is science in pursuit of
fundamental knowledge about the nature and
behavior of living systems and the application of
that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce
the burdens of illness and disability.
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NIH Budget
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Demographic Shift in Science
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Demographic Shift in Science
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The Scientific World 2010 - 2020
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Top Rates Students
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Fogarty Funding Opportunities
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Existing Mechanisms

• Subcontracts
• Collaborative R01s for Clinical and Services
  Studies of Mental Disorders, AIDS and Alcohol Use
  Disorders (R01)
• MOUs
• Private/Public Partnerships

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Collaborative R01s

• RFA-MH-07-041. Implicating Noncoding RNAs in the
  Genetics of Mental Disorders (Collaborative R01)
  Expired

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Memorandum of Understanding

• PA-07-284. Shared Neurobiology of Fragile X
  Syndrome and Autism (R01)
• RFA-MH-05-007. Identifying Autism Susceptibility
  Genes

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Public/Private Partnerships

• FNIH
• GAIN
• Biomarkers Consortium

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Genomics Research Branch Scientific Focus
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NIMH Genomics Research BranchInternational
Collaborations

• 14 and growing
• Global representation
• RFA-MH-08-131. Genomic Parsing of Bipolar
  Disorder and Schizophrenia Studies of Large
  Cohorts in the U.S. and Across the Globe
  (Collaborative R01)
• RFA-MH-08-131. Genomic Parsing of Bipolar
  Disorder and Schizophrenia Studies of Large
  Cohorts in the U.S. and Across the Globe
  (Collaborative R01)

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Ingredience for Success

• Proactive leadership
• Finding highest quality science
• Collaboration between funding agencies
• Embracing change

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RESEARCH HOPE
www.nimh.nih.gov