In direct response to the recent economic crisis, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was signed into law on February 17, 2009, in an effort to create or retain jobs, spur economic activity and invest in long-term economic growth. In order to stimulate the economy, funds are to be spent quickly. Therefore, agencies are expected to obligate their ARRA funds by September 30, 2010. The Act has also placed an unprecedented focus on accountability and transparency in government spending.
The Act provided roughly $21.5 billion in additional funding for research and development (R&D) and R&D-related expenditures. Agencies were given some discretion regarding how funds were to be obligated. For example, the NSF chose to allocate most of its funding through review of currently pending proposals, while the NIH elected to direct its funding towards large-scale, highly-competitive, high risk-high reward Challenge Grants, as well as competitions for major facilities construction and renovation projects.
ARRA funding is still available. Please contact your OSP Research Development Specialist to discuss possible funding opportunities.
OSP Stimulus/ARRA Presentation PowerPoint, April 2009
To date, NIU has received thirteen ARRA funded awards, totaling over $60 million.
To view NIU's reported data for ARRA funded awards, please visit www.Recovery.gov.