The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) will convene an ad hoc committee to examine pediatric research supported by NIH, as described below. The committee will consider the perspectives of multiple NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) in its deliberations, as pediatric research is conducted throughout NIH.
The committee is tasked with examining the current NIH pediatric research portfolio and structure including:
• The methods and rationale involved in categorizing projects as “Pediatrics” research using the Research, Condition, and Disease Categorization Process;
• How pediatric components have been included or excluded from larger NIH initiatives;
• Structural or process impediments to pediatric research applicants;
• How pediatric research priorities are established within and across ICs; and,
• How pediatric research activity is coordinated across NIH ICs.
Based on this review, the committee will make recommendations focused on improving NIH’s overall support of child health research. Any recommendations for structural or process changes should include consideration of burden (including financial) on both researchers and NIH staff.
The Committee may also consider ways in which the NIH Clinical Center (CC) could be used to advance innovative pediatric research (e.g., whether it would be advantageous to expand the ages eligible for research studies; areas of science uniquely suited to being conducted at the NIH CC; potential partnerships to expand the research portfolio at the CC).