Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)
and Human Services (HHS)
July 21, 2020
PAR-19-313 - "Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase 1 (P20 Clinical Trial Optional)"
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
NIGMS recognizes the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on institutions’ ability to recruit faculty investigators. The purpose of this Notice is to reduce the minimum number of Research Projects required in PAR-19-313 "Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase 1 (P20 Clinical Trial Optional)" from three to two, and to provide instructions on allowed budget increases for other activities for the duration of this declared public health emergency. The following related sections of the FOA are revised accordingly:
Part 2. Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Program Description and Requirements
Overall Plan for the Center:
Current Language:
Organizational Plan: The proposed Center must support an Administrative Core and three to five Research Projects.
Revised Language:
Organizational Plan: The proposed Center must support an Administrative Core and two to five Research Projects.
Research Projects:
Current Language:
Research Projects: A minimum of three and a maximum of five Research Projects must be proposed.
Revised Language:
Research Projects: A minimum of two and a maximum of five Research Projects must be proposed.
Part 2. Section IV. Application and Submission Information, 2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Instructions for the Submission of Multi-Component Applications
Current Language:
The application should consist of the following components:
Revised Language:
The application should consist of the following components:
Overall Component
PHS 398 Research Plan (Overall)
Current Language:
Research Strategy: A description of how the efforts of each Research Project Leader will contribute to the establishment of a multidisciplinary research center. Include the overall descriptions of at least three and no more than five individual Research Projects.
Revised Language:
Research Strategy: A description of how the efforts of each Research Project Leader will contribute to the establishment of a multidisciplinary research center. Include the overall descriptions of at least two and no more than five individual Research Projects.
Administrative Core
Budget (Administrative Core)
Current Language:
Funds may be used to assist the institution's recruitment of additional faculty who complement the scope of the proposed program. These funds are limited to $200,000 direct cost per year and may be used to recruit either junior or established senior investigators. These funds may be used for salary, supplies, and/or equipment costs.
Revised Language:
Funds may be used to assist the institution's recruitment of additional faculty who complement the scope of the proposed program. These funds are limited to $400,000 direct cost per year and may be used to recruit either junior or established senior investigators. These funds may be used for salary, supplies, and/or equipment costs.
Other Expenses:
Current Language:
If proposing a Pilot Project Program, those costs should be a line item under "other direct costs." The amount requested in the line item should be for all Pilot Projects expected to be funded that year (i.e., $200,000 for four Pilot Projects at $50,000 each or two Pilot Projects at $100,000 each). Each Pilot Project can be up to two years' duration with an annual budget of $100,000 (direct cost) or less.
Revised Language:
If proposing a Pilot Project Program, those costs should be a line item under "other direct costs." A maximum amount of $400,000 may be requested in the line item for all Pilot Projects expected to be funded that year (e.g., $400,000 for eight Pilot Projects at $50,000 each or four Pilot Projects at $100,000 each). Each Pilot Project can be up to two years' duration with an annual budget of $100,000 (direct cost) or less.
Research Project
Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Research Project)
Current Language:
Senior, funded investigators who are not making a significant career change must not be proposed as leaders for individual Research Projects; if such a project is included, it will be deemed to be non-compliant. It will not be reviewed or counted in the minimum required three projects.
Revised Language:
Senior, funded investigators who are not making a significant career change must not be proposed as leaders for individual Research Projects; if such a project is included, it will be deemed to be non-compliant. It will not be reviewed or counted in the minimum required two projects.
Changes described in this Notice also apply to active COBRE awards. All other aspects of this FOA remain the same.
Michele McGuirl, PhD
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: michele.mcguirl@nih.gov