NIH Center Seeking Comments on Strategic Plan

The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) of the National Institutes of Health is seeking input as it updates its 1994 strategic plan, NCRR: A Catalyst for Discovery.

The plan is designed to anticipate, meet, and set priorities for the biomedical research community's critical resource and technology needs. The center is requesting comments to help it identify barriers to research progress and define future needs for shared research resources and technologies.

Specific questions NCRR is interested in receiving input on include:

• What are the most important research trends that will drive biomedical research?
• What research resources and technologies will be critical in addressing these trends?
• What strategies will eliminate barriers to progress and enhance access to research resources and technologies?
• Who should serve on the panel for the strategic planning process?

NCRR's mission is to strengthen the nation's biomedical research infrastructure and is charged with creating and providing critical research technologies and shared resources. NCRR plays a key role in addressing such issues as access to instrumentation and technologies, cost containment for research, development of specialized research models, remedies for the shortage of clinical and minority investigators, and other efforts to improve the research infrastructure.

NCRR has provided a comment form on the World Wide Web at www.ncrr.nih.gov/ survey.htm. The form is also available from the Office of Science Policy at 301/ 435-0866. Comments should be received by May 15.