CND on R01 Renewal: Resubmit or Fresh Start with ESI? Impact of Institutional Move?
I’m a research-track junior faculty at a top medical school. Two years ago, I took over an R01 from a retiring professor as MPI with my Department Chair. Although he is the Contact PI, I have led the project and the science entirely.
I developed a new research direction, published in a top-tier journal, and generated strong preliminary data in the past two years. We submitted a renewal last November with me as the Contact PI. My department promised me a promotion and an independent lab if the score was promising.
Unfortunately, the proposal was scored "Competitive-Not Discussed" last week. Despite the work's progress, my department said that a resubmission is a “waste of time” and is refusing to provide bridge funding or renew my appointment that will end in May. They are requiring "100% guaranteed funding" to keep my position.
Because my visa is tied to this institution, if I cannot secure this role or the funding, I will be forced to leave the U.S. and end my academic career. This is my first R01 application and my ESI status will end next April. I don’t want to give up at this stage.
I haven't received the summary statement yet, but I’m looking for urgent advice on the possibility of getting funded in resubmission after getting CND in A0. Because ESI can’t benefit from renewal, shall I re-package the proposal and submit as a new R01 in June to get better chance in review? If I moved to another institution between A0 and A1, how do reviewers typically evaluate the change in "Environment"? Will there be concerns about the continuity of the preliminary data generated at my current school? How should I navigate a department demanding "100% guaranteed funding" to bridge a gap year, especially when my visa status is at risk?