The Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) within the Office of the NIH Director (OD), plans and coordinates trans-NIH initiatives and research supported by the NIH Common Fund and develops resources to support portfolio analyses. The mission of DPCPSI includes identifying emerging scientific opportunities, rising public health challenges, and scientific knowledge gaps that merit further research and would benefit from collaboration between two or more NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs), or from strategic coordination and planning.
DPCPSI includes programmatic offices that coordinate research and activities related to behavioral and social sciences, disease prevention, research infrastructure, science education, women’s health, AIDS, and dietary supplements.
The DPCPSI Council – also referred to as the Council of Councils – is made up of 27 members, selected from NIH IC Advisory Councils, representatives nominated by the OD program offices, and broad lay representation. This body met on September 12 and 13 to receive updates from DPCPSI staff and discuss current and proposed initiatives. DPCPSI Director, Tara Schwetz, PHD, hosted the first in-person meeting since the pandemic. Several presentations were given, including some of particular importance to the behavioral, social, and cognitive science communities.
[Meeting Agenda] [Day 1 Videocast] [Day 2 Videocast]
DPSCI Updates
Director Schwetz started the proceedings with an update on DPCSCI personnel and initiatives.
- Leadership Changes: Geri Donenberg, PhD, has been named NIH Associate Director for AIDS Research and Director of the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR). Dr. Donenberg, a clinical psychologist, joins NIH from the University of Illinois Chicago, where she is a professor of Medicine, Psychology, and Epidemiology and Biostatics. Dr. Donenberg has decades of experience studying youth sexual behavior and substance use, particularly in relation to HIV prevention and acquisition. Her tenure at DPCPSI begins in October.
- NIH Strategy for Data Science: In December 2023, NIH posted a request for information (RFI), inviting comments on the development of its Strategic Plan for Data Science 2023-2028. Sixty-three (63) comments were received – including from FABBS – and are being evaluated for potential incorporation into the final plan.
- Science of Science Scholars Pilot Program: Science of science is a field that applies scientific methods to understanding the scientific field. In collaboration with the Office of Evaluation, Performance, and Reporting (OEPR), this pilot program will bring science of science expertise to NIH in order to “identify evidence-building strategies to enhance NIH’s processes, policies, and programs.”
- NIH Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Festival: The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) and the NIH Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Coordinating Committee (BSSR-CC) are hosting a festival to highlight the latest NIH-funded BSSR and its impact on biomedical research. The event will be held both virtually and in-person on November 6th and 7th, with registration information available soon.
- Science Communication: Council member Kevin B. Johnson raised the issue of science communication, reminding the Council that it had previously approved a Common Fund proposal that was never funded (Advancing Health Communication Science and Practice); instead, the program has been “paused” since June 2023. Director Schwetz stated that although this particular program would not move forward, there have been related, early-stage conversations about science communications initiatives and how to build trust with the public.
Concept Clearances
The Council of Councils reviewed and cleared two OBSSR concepts:
- Resource and Capacity Building to Advance Science of Aggression Across Species and Disciplines, Kristin Brethel-Haurwitz, Ph.D.
- Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (Reissue), Erica L. Spotts, Ph.D.
Additionally, the Council reviewed and cleared a concept for the reissue of the National Primate Research Centers Program from the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP).
NIH Principal Deputy Director’s Report
The Principal Deputy Director of NIH, Lawrence A. Tabak, DDS, PhD, presented on NIH activities.
- NIMH Director: Josh Gordan, MD, PhD, has left his position as Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Shelli Avenevoli, PhD, has stepped in as Acting Director. The search committee should be starting up at the beginning of next month, with more information soon to come.
- Scientific Management Review Board (SMRB): This committee has been dormant since 2016, but in 2024 Congress directed NIH to re-start it. NIH will do so, beginning November 14. The committee will review two important reports from Congress on NIH reorganization: one from the House and one from the Senate.
- NIH Director’s Vision: Dr. Tabak presented on behalf of NIH Director Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD, who was unable to attend the meeting. He and DPCPSI Director Schwetz highlighted new NIH initiatives, such as Communities Advancing Research Equity (CARE) for Health, and emphasized the need to expand access to research participation opportunities to broader communities, especially those that have been traditionally underrepresented in medical research.
The next Council of Councils meeting will take place February 6-7, 2025.
