Board of Scientific and Clinical Directors

“The Board of Scientific Directors is charged to work in close collaboration with the NIH Clinical Directors to develop, review, and recommend policies affecting the intramural research programs of the NIH Institutes and Centers to the Deputy Director for Intramural Research (DDIR). Recommendations may require further approvals by higher-level authorities, such as the NIH Institute or Center (IC) Directors, or the Director, NIH.” [Charge to the Scientific Directors affirmed on March 24, 2022]. On July 27, 2023, the NIH Steering Committee of the NIH Director voted unanimously to approve the designation of the Board of Scientific Directors as the Board of Scientific and Clinical Directors.

Composition

The Board is co-chaired by the DDIR and an IC Director, and voting members of the Board include all NIH Scientific Directors and NIH Clinical Directors (or their official Deputy filed with OIR, or, on rare occasions, other designated alternate). The Executive Secretary is a Deputy or Associate Director, Office of Intramural Research (OIR). Other invited attendees include: the NIH Deputy Director; the NIH Deputy Director for Management; the Directors, Office of Human Resources (OHR), Office of Research Services (ORS), Office of Research Facilities (ORF), NIH Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI); a representative of the NIH Assembly of Scientists and staff members of the OIR.

Schedule

Meetings are regularly scheduled from 9-11 a.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month currently fully virtual or in hybrid settings.

Attendance

Scientific Directors (SDs) and Clinical Directors (CDs), including Acting SDs and CDs or designated alternates, are expected to attend all meetings.

Agenda

Suggested agenda items should be brought to the attention of Dr. Charles R. Dearolf, Executive Secretary. Agendas are developed with input from the SD/CD Agenda Subcommittee, as well as the DDIR.

Resources

• Board of Scientific and Clinical Directors Membership
  • NIH IRP Scientific Directors Roster
  • NIH IRP Clinical Directors Roster
• Board of Scientific and Clinical Directors Subcommittees
• Orientation Manual for Scientific Directors
• Selected Responsibilities of a Scientific Director (Management Controls Survey)