Key Dates
August 27, 2026
Related Announcements
- June 9, 2026 - Avant Garde/Avenir Awards for Investigators Conducting High Risk/High Reward Research on HIV and Substance Use (or Substance Use Disorders) (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional). See Notice PAR-27-026.
Issued by
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Purpose
The purpose of this Notice is to inform potential applicants regarding correction to the dates regarding Letters of Reference in the Section IV in PAR-27-026 "Avant Garde/Avenir Awards for Investigators Conducting High Risk/High Reward Research on HIV and Substance Use (or Substance Use Disorders) (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional)".
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
Currently, it reads
Letters of Reference
Letters of reference are an important part of the Pioneer Award application. PD/PIs must arrange to have three (and only three) letters of reference submitted on their behalf. Applications that are missing letters of reference will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Late letters will not be accepted. PD/PIs are responsible for monitoring the submission of letters in their Commons account to ensure that three letters have been submitted prior to the submission deadline. Referees who submitted letters for Pioneer Award PD/PIs in prior years must submit new letters of reference this year. Previously submitted letters will not be retrieved.
Letters of reference are confidential; PD/PIs will not have access to the letters. PD/PIs should not upload letters of reference on behalf of their referees. Confirmed receipt of letters of reference will be sent via email to both the PD/PI and the referee. The confirmation sent to the PD/PI will include the referee's name and the date and time the letter was submitted. The confirmation sent to the referee will include the referee and PD/PI's names, a confirmation number, and the date and time the letter was submitted.
Instructions to Referees
- Letters may be submitted beginning July 15 and must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. (local time of applicant organization), July 7, 2026; July 7, 2027; July 7, 2028
- Letters must be submitted electronically at https://public.era.nih.gov/commonsplus/public/reference/submitReferenceLetter.era (paper copies or emails will not be accepted)
- The letter submission page can be accessed without signing in to the Commons, and referees do not need to be registered in the Commons to submit a letter
- The PD/PI's name should be placed at the top of the letter.
- Although signatures are not required, the letter must include a signature block with the referee's full name, title, institution, and contact information.
- In two pages or less, describe the PD/PI's qualities that support the PD/PI's claim to scientific innovativeness and creativity. When possible, give specific examples that illustrate these qualities. Address the likelihood that the applicant will conduct groundbreaking research in the proposed research area.
Revised to read (in Bold Italics):
Letters of Reference
Letters of reference are an important part of the Pioneer Award application. PD/PIs must arrange to have three (and only three) letters of reference submitted on their behalf. Applications that are missing letters of reference will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Late letters will not be accepted. PD/PIs are responsible for monitoring the submission of letters in their Commons account to ensure that three letters have been submitted prior to the submission deadline. Referees who submitted letters for Pioneer Award PD/PIs in prior years must submit new letters of reference this year. Previously submitted letters will not be retrieved.
Letters of reference are confidential; PD/PIs will not have access to the letters. PD/PIs should not upload letters of reference on behalf of their referees. Confirmed receipt of letters of reference will be sent via email to both the PD/PI and the referee. The confirmation sent to the PD/PI will include the referee's name and the date and time the letter was submitted. The confirmation sent to the referee will include the referee and PD/PI's names, a confirmation number, and the date and time the letter was submitted.
Instructions to Referees
- Letters may be submitted beginning August 25 and must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. (local time of applicant organization), September 25, 2026; September 25, 2027; September 25, 2028
- Letters must be submitted electronically at https://public.era.nih.gov/commonsplus/public/reference/submitReferenceLetter.era (paper copies or emails will not be accepted)
- The letter submission page can be accessed without signing in to the Commons, and referees do not need to be registered in the Commons to submit a letter
- The PD/PI's name should be placed at the top of the letter.
- Although signatures are not required, the letter must include a signature block with the referee's full name, title, institution, and contact information.
- In two pages or less, describe the PD/PI's qualities that support the PD/PI's claim to scientific innovativeness and creativity. When possible, give specific examples that illustrate these qualities. Address the likelihood that the applicant will conduct groundbreaking research in the proposed research area.
All other aspects of PAR-27-026 remain unchanged.
Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to:
NIDA HIV Program Staff
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Email: [email protected]
and Human Services (HHS)
