Key Dates

Related Announcements

PA-20-272- Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)

Issued by

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Purpose

Research shows that diverse teams working together and capitalizing on innovative ideas and distinct perspectives outperform homogenous teams. Scientists and trainees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences bring different perspectives, creativity, and individual enterprise to address complex scientific problems. There are many benefits that flow from a diverse NIH-supported scientific workforce, including: fostering scientific innovation, enhancing global competitiveness, contributing to robust learning environments, improving the quality of the research, advancing the likelihood that underserved or health disparity populations participate in, and benefit from health research, and enhancing public trust. In an effort to enhance diversity in NIDCD fields of research, NIDCD is making available this opportunity to support individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from nationally underrepresented groups, to receive research training under the existing NIDCD-funded T32 or T35 awards.

This program offers institutions an opportunity to apply for additional trainee research slots to support eligible candidates under an existing T32 or T35 award when all regularly-awarded positions have been filled. The NIDCD administratively funds a supplemental slot designated specifically for a selected trainee - either predoctoral or postdoctoral - to an existing T32 or T35 award. That position remains a part of the T32 or T35 for as long as the named individual is a member of the training program. When the individual no longer receives support from the T32 or T35, the funds for the position are removed from the grant.

To ensure an appropriate training experience, only predoctoral slots are considered for programs that exclusively support predoctoral training; the same applies to postdoctoral slots. Programs supporting both predoctoral and postdoctoral training may apply for either.

NIDCD encourages institutions to recruit prospective predoctoral and postdoctoral students from diverse backgrounds to consider participating in this program, including but not limited to individuals from underrepresented groups, such as those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. For more information, see NOT-OD-20-031 "Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity". 

Eligibility

Individuals supported under this program must meet the administrative requirements for any trainee supported by a T32 or T35 award (e.g., citizenship/permanent residency requirements, payback obligation) and must meet all the requirements for prior training, experience, and commitment to research expected of any other trainee in the particular T32 or T35 program wishing to support them.

Only one or two additional trainee slots (either predoctoral or postdoctoral) will be awarded to any T32/T35. If a trainee has been appointed to a regular slot on a T32 or T35 grant, a supplemental slot will not be considered for additional years for that trainee.  Funding decisions will be made consistent with applicable law.

Application and Submission Information

Applications for this initiative must be submitted using the following opportunity or its subsequent reissued equivalent.

• PA-20-272 - Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and PA-20-272 must be followed, with the following additions:

• Application Due Date(s) – Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, beginning May 15, 2023. Applications will generally be reviewed within 6 weeks of receipt and awarded separately or within the parent grant as appropriate.
• For funding consideration, applicants must include “NOT-DC-23- 010” (without quotation marks) in the Agency Routing Identifier field (box 4B) of the SF424 R&R form. Applications without this information in box 4B will not be considered for this initiative.
• Requests for postdoctoral training appointments on T32 awards should reflect a 2-3-year commitment on the part of the trainee. Predoctoral slots may provide up to 5 years of support.
• No slot will be awarded for a period that exceeds the current approved funding period for the T32 or T35 grant - e.g., if only 2 years remain until the T32/T35 is due for its competitive renewal, then any supplement may be awarded only for 2 years. In these situations, requests to extend the trainee slot once the parent T32/T35 has successfully recompeted for funding are encouraged.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to notify the NIDCD Program contact that a request has been submitted in response to this NOSI in order to facilitate efficient processing of the request.

Required Documents

Cover Page

The following must be included in the cover letter:

• The grant number of the T32 or T35 sponsoring the application
• The student's name as Principal Investigator
• The proposed start date

Research Strategy (limited to 6 pages)

The items below are meant to document the suitability of the candidate for a training position. Applications should be personalized for the individual being nominated. General descriptions of the selection process and research plan taken verbatim from the T32 or T35 application are not acceptable.

Applicants must include:

• A statement of the process by which the candidate was identified and selected;
• A statement of the training plan for the candidate, prepared by the Program Director;
• A statement explaining how the candidate’s participation would further the goals of the program, consistent with the NOT-OD-20-031 "Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity"
• A statement describing the research plan of the candidate, prepared jointly by the research mentor and the candidate; and
• A brief statement from the candidate on his/her career goals and future plans

Other Project Information Form

Applicants must attach the following PDF document in the "Other Attachments":

• Biosketch of the candidate

Training Budget Form

T32/T35 Budget Information must be submitted and include the following costs:

• Stipend: current published predoctoral stipend amount
• Tuition: NIDCD adjusts based on actual costs per the NIH policy:
  • Degree program - 60% of level requested by applicant institution, up to $16,000 per year; Non-degree - 60% of the actual tuition level at the applicant institution, up to $4,500 per year;
• Trainee travel, including attendance at essential scientific meetings - NIDCD allows $800 per year;
• Training-related expenses (administrative support, health insurance, and research supplies) at the current published predoctoral amount; and
• Facilities and administrative costs based on eight percent of modified total direct costs

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Alberto L. Rivera-Rentas, Ph.D.
Research Training Officer
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders (NIDCD)
Telephone: (301) 496-1804
Email: riverara@nidcd.nih.gov