The NIDUS Network (R33-AG071744 [Inouye/Jones MPI]: NIDUS II: Advanced-Stage Development and Utilization of the NIDUS Research Infrastructure to Advance Interdisciplinary Research in Delirium) supports four cores. NIDUS, by the way, stands for Network for Investigation of Delirium: Unifying Scientists.
NIDUS is a collaborative, multidisciplinary network dedicated to the acceleration of scientific discovery in delirium research, through focused collaboration and creation of sustainable infrastructure to enhance innovative and high-quality research.(deliriumnetwork.org)
NIDUS started as a “Delirium bootcamp”, a three-day workshop on conducting delirium research in applied health care settings. The original funding was through a K07 NIA Academic Leadership Career Award (K07AG041835, Inouye, PI, 2013-2017). NIDUS grew from this, funded first by a R24 (R24-AG054259, Inouye PI, 2016-2020) and renewed with an R33 (R33-AG071744, Inouye & Jones MPI, 2021-2026) and an R13 for the bootcamp (R13-AG072860, Whitehead & Devlin, MPI, 2021-2026).
The main products of the R33 are a web site that distributes content developed by the “cores” (described below), a pilot program, educational programming (R13-supported 3-day conference, webinars, blog posts), symposia at national conferences highlighting work of workshop attendees and pilot awardees; and some limited new research the main point of which is to demonstrate the use of core resources. We meet annually with a scientific advisory board which pats us on the back and suggests mission creep, in conjunction with a national research conference in delirium.
Research Resources Core (Marcantonio, Travison core co-leaders) The RRC main product is called the Delirium Research Hub: two web-searchable databases of on-going and completed studies in delirium in humans and model systems. The goal is to facilitate collaboration by making it easier for researchers to find out what is going on in the field. The idea was to crowd source data entry but in practice more than half of the entries are input by staff.
Measurement & Harmonization Core (Jones, core leader) The M&H core reviews instruments used in delirium research, builds linkages among similar instrument (harmonization), and conducts new research using harmonized measurements to demonstrate the utility of the core resources.
Pilot & Exploratory Studies Core (Avidan, core leader) The Pilot core solicits and coordinates the review of pilot study applications. Every year two $40k pilots are awarded. This year we had about 20 applicants (i.e., your odds are better sending an R03 against the AD/ADRD line). The people doing the reviews are NIDUS PIs and co-Is, core leaders, etc.
Career Development & Outreach Core (Whitehead & Devlin, core leader) The career development and outreach core coordinates the bootcamp (a 3-day training workshop, which is also supported by the (R13-AG072860, Whitehead & Devlin, MPI, 2021-2026), notice this is how R13 organizers can get support for their effort in planning and coordinating the R13), and online webinars throughout the year. This core also has staff for maintaining our twitter presence [(@NIDUS_delirium)](https://mobile.twitter.com/nidus_delirium) and blog posts.
The R33 (and R24 and R21/R33 project) is one application. The NIDUS “cores” exist in name only, as compared to a P01, where the “cores” have their own 6-page application, and named PI or Core Leader. I am willing to bet that other R21/R33s, R33s, and R24s do not use the “core” device as an organizing strategy. Also unlike a P01, NIDUS does not have an “admin core” although the contact MPI serves the function of overall PI and admin core.
Everyone who is a part of the NIDUS R33 gives more than they are paid. Significant progress towards the stated goals is accomplished through leveraging existing resources and personnel. This state of affairs is not different from our current ΨMCA R13, and probably not different from what life is like for anyone with more than one funding stream.