NIH Closes Review of ALS Imaging Grant R01 NS082304 with “No Findings” — Declines to State Whether Final Progress Report (RPPR) Was Reviewed
NIH closed its review of Grant R01 NS082304 with “no findings.”
The memorandum is dated January 2, 2019 (corrected from 2018).
The final NIH Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) does not attribute specific research activity or data analysis to Dr. Robert Welsh.
NIH declined to state whether the final RPPR was reviewed as part of the assessment.
No findings were identified. The scope of the review was not stated.
The materials below include the NIH Division of Program Integrity memorandum, the final RPPR, subaward records, and a contemporaneous complaint submitted to the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), relating to NIH Grant R01 NS082304, an ALS imaging grant for which Dr. Bradley Foerster and Dr. Robert Welsh served as co–principal investigators.
The memorandum reflects an administrative review concluding that no improper salary payments were identified and that no further action would be taken.
The documents are presented for direct review of the administrative record.
Exhibit 1 — NIH Memorandum (January 2, 2019)
NIH Division of Program Integrity memorandum (date corrected from January 2, 2018), concluding that no improper salary payments were identified and closing the review.
Exhibit 1 — NIH FOIA response memorandum (Case No. 65339), with corrected date January 2, 2019.
Exhibit 2 — Final RPPR (October 30, 2018 submission)
Final NIH Research Performance Progress Report covering May 1, 2017 – April 30, 2018.
The report describes data collection and analysis conducted by Dr. Foerster’s team.
The report does not attribute specific research activity or data analysis to Dr. Robert Welsh.
The Participants section reflects minimal reported effort for Dr. Welsh (0.1 calendar months).
Exhibit 2 — Final NIH RPPR (October 30, 2018 submission), documenting research activity under Grant R01 NS082304 and reflecting minimal reported effort for Dr. Robert Welsh.
Exhibit 3 — Subaward and Payment Records
Subaward amendment and associated records reflecting NIH funds allocated to the University of Utah / Dr. Robert Welsh during the final year of the grant (May 1, 2017 – April 30, 2018).
The subaward was increased by $202,013, with total funding exceeding $250,000 during the grant period.
Budget records reflect salary support and associated costs tied to reported effort.
Exhibit 3 — Subaward amendment reflecting $202,013 in NIH funds allocated to the University of Utah / Dr. Robert Welsh during the final year of Grant R01 NS082304 (May 1, 2017 – April 30, 2018).
Exhibit 4 — OIG Complaint (July 15, 2017)
Complaint submitted to the HHS Office of Inspector General regarding research activity and effort under the grant.
Exhibit 4 — Complaint submitted to the HHS Office of Inspector General (July 15, 2017) regarding research activity and effort under NIH Grant R01 NS082304.
Record Context
The record reflects a complaint regarding research activity and effort under the grant, a final RPPR documenting the work performed, and an NIH memorandum concluding that no findings were identified.
The scope of materials reviewed in reaching that conclusion is not specified in the memorandum.
Follow-Up Inquiry to NIH
The NIH memorandum does not identify whether the final RPPR was reviewed as part of the Division of Program Integrity’s assessment.
The following correspondence was submitted to the NIH Division of Program Integrity seeking clarification regarding the scope of materials reviewed, including whether the final RPPR was considered.
%20%E2%80%93%20RPPR%20Review%20Question%20(dragged).png)
%20%E2%80%93%20RPPR%20Review%20Question%20(dragged)%202.png)
%20%E2%80%93%20RPPR%20Review%20Question%20(dragged)%203.png)
%20%E2%80%93%20RPPR%20Review%20Question%20(dragged)%204.png)
Exhibit — Email thread showing NIH response declining to provide a factual answer (May 5, 2026), followed by clarification that the inquiry is not a FOIA request, and prior correspondence regarding whether the final RPPR was reviewed in connection with the January 2, 2019 memorandum.
The NIH declined to state whether the final RPPR was reviewed as part of the Division of Program Integrity’s assessment reflected in the January 2, 2019 memorandum.
Related Reporting
- The Institutional Fingerprint of the FBI Russia-Gate File
- May 12, 2026 Joint Status Report Filed After FBI Missed May 4 Production Deadline in “Russia-Gate” FOIA Litigation; New Production Dates Set for May 15 and June 16, 2026
- University of Michigan States No Responsive Documents Exist Regarding Dr. Foerster’s 2018 Psychiatric Peer Review Following Litigated FOIA Appeal
- Bank of Ann Arbor Reported $1,412,380 Sheriff's Sale Purchase; Follow-Up RESPA Request Seeks Reconciliation Record
Brad Foerster, MD PhD
Brad Foerster is a FOIA advocate documenting requests, transparency disputes, and accountability investigations involving public agencies, universities, police oversight, and Russia-Gate related inquiries. His work compiles original documents, timelines, and analysis of public records and institutional responses. Brad is also a board-certified radiologist, author of Town & Gown, and has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles. Brad lives in Potomac, Maryland with his family and is active in the Montgomery County Medical Society and the Takoma Park U.S. & World History Book Club.