The National Institutes of Health (NIH) invites you to participate in the 2014 Regional Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration to be held in Baltimore, Maryland

 

Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
Wednesday, June 25, 2014 The optional electronic Research Administration (eRA) Workshop (full day for an additional fee) has been sold out; a waitlist is available during the registration process. Optional electronic Research Administration (eRA) Workshop *Full day for an additional fee	Thursday - Friday, June 26-27, 2014 Registration for the 2014 Regional Seminar is now closed 2-Day Seminar Flexible session tracks for Administrators, Investigators, and All Interests

The NIH Regional Seminar serves the NIH mission of providing education and training for the next generation of biomedical and behavioral scientists. This seminar is intended to:

• Demystify the application and review process
• Clarify federal regulations and policies
• Highlight current areas of special interest or concern

About the Experts The NIH Regional Seminar involves approximately 35 NIH and HHS staff who are brought to a central location in order to educate, share, and listen to attendees over the course of two days. This seminar is your opportunity to make direct contact with NIH policy officials, grants management, program and review staff, and eRA Commons experts, as well as representatives from the HHS Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), and Office of Research Integrity (ORI). In addition, take advantage of networking opportunities to learn from fellow attendees from around the world.

Who Should Attend The seminar and optional eRA workshops are appropriate for grants administrators, new and early stage investigators, researchers, graduate students, and anyone interested in the grants administration process. This year we are offering more networking opportunities than ever before, including additional Institute/Center representation with one-on-one meeting opportunities and inclusion of sessions on NIH niche programs, such as the AREA/R15 program. Take advantage of attending this seminar, close enough to the NIH to provide Program Officials from many of our Institutes and Centers.

Make plans now and book early - space is limited. This year, there will be only one NIH Regional Seminar. Don't miss this valuable opportunity!

For inquiries regarding the seminar, email NIHRegionalSeminars@mail.nih.gov.

The seminar (not including the pre-seminar eRA workshop) is scheduled for Thursday, June 26 and Friday, June 27, 2014.

 

The seminar registration fee includes: the cost of registration, conference proceedings, conference materials, and access to presenter presentations. This year's conference does not include food and beverages.

 

Trainees (Graduate Students and Postdocs) will receive a $50 discount with proof of status. You will be required to submit proof of status during the registration process to qualify for this discount.

 

Registration Policies

Payment Details

Payment must be made by credit card or check.  Credit card charges will appear on your statement as "Ripple Effect Communications." Checks must be received within 3 weeks of registration submission or before June 16, whichever is first, for registration to be valid.  Participants paying by check will be notified by email if their registration is cancelled due to checks not received. Checks should be sent to:

Ripple Effect Communications
2400 Research Boulevard, Suite 305

Rockville, MD 20850

Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellations must be made on or before April 23, 2104, via email at NIHRegionalSeminars@mail.nih.gov. Requests submitted via phone, voice-mail message, fax, or mail, are neither valid nor accepted. For cancellations, Ripple Effect Event Management will refund the full amount of your registration payment minus a $40.00 processing fee within 30 days of the close of the event. All refunds will be issued in the original payment type. After April 23, 2014, no requests for refunds will be honored; however, substitutions are allowed and requests for such must be submitted by email at NIHRegionalSeminars@mail.nih.gov.

 

Refunds are not given for no-shows. Shared registrations are not allowed, nor are seminar fees transferrable to future events.

 

Opt-Out

 

Your name, email address and affiliation will be included in program materials and communications. If you do not wish to share your information in the public domain, send an email to NIHRegionalSeminars@mail.nih.gov. The seminar will be videotaped, recorded, and/or photographed by the NIH. The videotapes, recordings and photographs may be used in the public domain, but no individual names will be associated with this media.

The June 2014 NIH Regional Seminar will provide space for exhibitors to display products, services, materials, and ideas in the conference area of the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel during the two-day seminar.

 

SPACE IS LIMITED and exhibitors will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration and payment is due on or before May 15, 2014.

 

Exhibitor Schedule

Thursday, June 26, 2014 - Hours 7:30am - 5:00pm
Friday, June 27, 2014 - Hours 7:30am - 3:00pm

Installation: Wednesday, June 25, 2014 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wrap-up: Friday, June 27, 2014 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm

 

Exhibitor Package Includes:

• Organization name and bio listed in the seminar program booklet
• Attendee Directory, program materials, and booklets
• Two on-site exhibitor registrations and badges
• One 6-foot skirted tables, 2 chairs, and wastebasket
• Electrical outlet and wireless internet access
• Exhibit space with daily cleaning of the aisles and common areas
  
  

Organization Description
A 50-word description of your company's services, products, or publications should be emailed to Ripple Effect Event Management at NIHRegionalSeminars@mail.nih.gov no later than May 15, 2014. Submissions after this date will not be included in the seminar program booklet.

 

Additional Opportunities for Exposure
Want your organization name featured at the Seminar? Can't attend the NIH Regional Seminar but want exposure for your organization? Get your promotional materials inserted in the attendee seminar packet! Have attendees see your logo on the screen as they check for messages in the Cyber Café! These and other on-site exposure opportunities await you.

Maximize exposure for your organization by sponsoring one of the activities listed below.

• Seminar Program Booklet Ad
• Attendee Welcome Packet Flyer Insert
• Cyber Café Supporter

VENUE

Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel

202 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Main Phone: (410) 547-1200
Reservations: (800) 468-3571

 

RESERVATIONS

Rooms from Tuesday to Friday night have been blocked at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel at a reduced seminar rate of $180.00 (single/ double rate) plus applicable state and local tax. This group rate includes complimentary internet access in guest rooms. Room reservations for the seminar are to be made by individual attendees directly:

• Online: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/nih2014
  
  
  

SEMINAR GROUP RATE DEADLINE

Reservations must be completed on or before June 2, 2014. (This is a limited room block so we encourage you make your reservations as early as possible. Rooms are distributed on a first come, first served basis.)

If you require assistance with your reservation or experience difficulties, please contact Ripple Event Management by e-mail at conferences@rippleeffect.com

The hotel room block is sold out. Please check out other Inner Harbor Hotels for lodging for the Seminar. There are many within walking distance of the Seminar.

GETTING TO THE RENAISSANCE BALTIMORE HARBORPLACE HOTEL

Area Airports: Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) is the closest airport to Baltimore. However, two other airports (Dulles International Airport, IAD; and Reagan National Airport, DCA), located 45-60 miles from Baltimore, also serve the area. Depending on your departure city, certain airlines may offer more convenient flights to these other airports, so we suggest considering all three airports when planning your travel to the 2014 NIH Regionals Seminar

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Distance to Hotel: 8 miles south
http://www.bwiairport.com
Information: 410-859-7111 or 1-800-I FLY BWI

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Distance to Hotel: 45 miles
http://www.metwashairports.com/reagan/reagan.htm
Information: 703-417-8000

Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Distance to Hotel: 60 miles
http://www.mwaa.com/dulles/dulles.htm
Information: 703-572-2700

 

Directions to the Hotel from the Area Airports
Please note that the Hotel does not provide shuttle services. Directions, maps, and information regarding transportation options are available online http://www.marriott.com/hotels/fact-sheet/travel/bwish-renaissance-baltimore-harborplace-hotel/

Taxi: Taxi fare (one-way) estimates from the three major airports are:
BWI: Approximately $30
DCA: Approximately $135
IAD: Approximately $185

 

Alternate Transportation

• SuperShuttle: SuperShuttle provides shuttle service for the three area airports. Please call them toll free at (800) 258-3826 to obtain current rates and schedules. Please allow sufficient travel time, as this service may make several stops before reaching your destination.
• Car rental: Car rental services are available at all three airports. Check the Ground Transportation Center of your arrival airport's website for more information.

 

• Light Rail: The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) provides Light Rail service from BWI Airport to downtown Baltimore. The BWI Light Rail Station is located outside the lower level of terminal building, adjacent to Concourse E. The average fare is $1.60 one-way. More information is located on the MTA Light Rail website.

 

• METRO/MARC Train from DCA: Train service to Baltimore is available from DCA  Airport by way of downtown Washington, DC. From DCA, you must take a 20 minute Metrorail ride to Washington Union Station. The Metrorail system is connected directly to the concourse level of terminals B and C at DCA. From Union Station, you can take the MARC Train (operated by The Maryland Transit Administration, MTA) to downtown Baltimore. The average MARC fare is $11.00 one way. More details can be found on Metrorail's and Marc Train's websites
  

Hotel Parking

• On-site parking, fee: $28 USD daily
• Valet parking, fee: $40 USD daily

Baltimore is the largest city in the state of Maryland, offering endless entertainment options from live music, stage plays, and sports events. Often called "Charm City," it is well known for the Inner Harbor, which is home to many restaurants, shops, and museums, and to the waterfront Pier Six Concert Pavilion. In addition to its share of unique arts and cultural attractions, Baltimore is a serious sports town. It is home not only to the 2013 Super Bowl Champions, the Baltimore Ravens, but also to the Baltimore Orioles (baseball), Preakness Stakes (thoroughbred racing), and the Grand Prix of Baltimore (IndyCar series).

 

Attractions

Take time to visit some of the popular points of interest, several of which are located in the Inner Harbor area and only steps away from the seminar venue:

• National Aquarium
• Maryland Science Center
• Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
• Baltimore Zoo
• Port Discovery, the Kid-Powered Museum
• Baltimore Museum of Art

For more, check out http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel-guide/bwish-renaissance-baltimore-harborplace-hotel/

Arts, Culture, and History

At the heart of the city is its art and culture. Tucked in the small corners of the city are eclectic points of interest such Mount Vernon, Fell's Point, and Federal Hill which are all exciting cultural experiences. Baltimore is also home to many museums, theatres, and performance venues. Consider a program at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra , the Lyric Opera House , the Hippodrome Theatre , or Center Stage Theater . Can't make up your mind? Investigate many other cultural opportunities at http://baltimore.org/arts-and-culture .

 

Shopping

The cornerstone of Baltimore's downtown shopping scene is Harborplace and The Gallery at Harborplace , at 200/201 E. Pratt Street, featuring a mix of 120 unique shops, restaurants, and diverse eateries, plus live seasonal entertainment. For something different, head 15 miles south to Hanover, Maryland towards the Arundel Mills Mall for premium outlet shopping. For a directory of shops, galleries, and restaurants, visit Arundel Mills here .

 

Dining

There are more than 200 restaurants in the Baltimore Inner Harbor alone, and plenty of tempting menus representing every type of cuisine imaginable from world famous Chesapeake Bay crabs to homemade Italian cuisine in Little Italy. You will love the variety, which ranges from food courts to fine dining to favorite local institutions. For an extensive list of downtown restaurants, go to http://baltimore.org/dining-and-nightlife/ .