Participating Organization(s) |
National Institutes of Health (NIH) |
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) |
|
Funding Opportunity Title |
NICHD Program Project Grant (P01) |
Activity Code |
P01 Research Program Projects |
Announcement Type |
Reissue of PAR-10-245 |
Related Notices |
|
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number |
PAR-13-257 |
Companion Funding Opportunity |
None |
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s) |
93.865 |
Funding Opportunity Purpose |
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) issued by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH) invites innovative, multidisciplinary, interactive, and synergistic Program Project grant applications from institutions/organizations that propose to conduct research on reproductive, developmental, behavioral, social, and rehabilitative processes that determine the health or functioning of newborns, infants, children, adults, families, and populations. The purpose of the P01 activity code is to encourage investigation of complex problems relevant to NICHD's mission and to facilitate economy of effort, space, and equipment. Under appropriate circumstances, the collaborative research effort of a Program Project can accelerate the acquisition of knowledge more effectively than a simple aggregate of research projects without thematic integration. |
Posted Date |
July 2, 2013 |
Open Date (Earliest Submission Date) |
August 25, 2013 |
Letter of Intent Due Date(s) |
Not Applicable |
Application Due Date(s) |
Standard dates apply, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. |
AIDS Application Due Date(s) |
Standard AIDS dates apply, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. |
Scientific Merit Review |
Standard dates apply |
Advisory Council Review |
Standard dates apply |
Earliest Start Date |
Standard dates apply |
Expiration Date |
September 8, 2016 |
Due Dates for E.O. 12372 |
Not Applicable |
NIH’s new Application Submission System & Interface for Submission Tracking (ASSIST) is available for the electronic preparation and submission of multi-project applications through Grants.gov to NIH. Applications to this FOA must be submitted electronically; paper applications will not be accepted. ASSIST replaces the Grants.gov downloadable forms currently used with most NIH opportunities and provides many features to enable electronic multi-project application submission and improve data quality, including: pre-population of organization and PD/PI data, pre-submission validation of many agency business rules and the generation of data summaries in the application image used for review.
It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, except where instructed to do otherwise (in this FOA or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts) and where instructions in the Application Guide are directly related to the Grants.gov downloadable forms currently used with most NIH opportunities. Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the FOA) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.
Part 1. Overview Information
Part 2. Full Text of the Announcement
Section I. Funding
Opportunity Description
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
Section IV. Application and Submission
Information
Section V. Application Review Information
Section VI. Award Administration Information
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) issued by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH) invites innovative, multidisciplinary, interactive, and synergistic Program Project (P01) grant applications to support research on reproductive, developmental, behavioral, social, and rehabilitative processes that determine the health or functioning of newborns, infants, children, adults, families, and populations.
The purpose of the P01 activity code is to encourage investigation of complex problems relevant to NICHD's mission and to facilitate economy of effort, space, and equipment. Under appropriate circumstances, the collaborative research effort of a Program Project can accelerate the acquisition of knowledge more effectively than a simple aggregate of research projects without thematic integration.
The Program Project grant is an award for the support of a research program that has a well-defined central theme, research focus, or objective. NICHD P01s must have at least three interrelated Research Projects along with the Cores necessary to support these projects. The interrelationships and synergism among Research Projects will often be multidisciplinary in nature, and should result in greater scientific contributions than if each subproject were supported individually. The P01 is based on the concept that Projects closely related to a central theme can be conducted more effectively and efficiently through a coordinated, collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.
The P01 research effort is facilitated by the sharing of ideas, data, and specialized resources, such as equipment, services, and clinical facilities. Although the Research Projects must be scientifically meritorious, they also must complement one another, be synergistic, and support the program's overall theme. Thus, the program's overall scientific merit should be greater than the sum of its parts.
Research Projects should be led by experienced scientists with a variety of disciplinary and specialty backgrounds. They should be able to collaborate productively so that new scientific information may be freely exchanged and effectively applied by others in the program. The PD/PI of the P01 should be an established investigator with demonstrated administrative capabilities.
Regular meetings of participating investigators who share and evaluate results and new ideas are essential to the consolidation of the Research Projects into a cohesive program. The participating investigators are expected to assist the PD/PI in making administrative as well as scientific decisions. The judicious use of an external advisory committee, composed of consultants from outside the program, can be helpful in providing independent program evaluation and guidance. Applicants are encouraged to consider incorporating these methods of communication/coordination in their programs.
- There must be a unifying, well-defined goal or central research theme to which each Research Project relates and contributes scientifically, thereby producing a synergistic environment that allows each research effort to share the creative strengths of the other projects.
- The program involves interrelated Research Projects and collaborating investigators, yielding results beyond those achievable if each project were carried out separately.
- In addition to at least 3 R01-type Research Projects, smaller developmental/pilot projects similar to R03s or R21s may also be submitted as a single Pilot Project Component.
- Each Research Project must independently have significant and substantial scientific merit, as assessed by peer review, and must complement the other Research Projects in the program.
- Research Projects should be supported by the Admin Core and any other appropriate Cores in order to enhance the research objectives.
- The PD/PI must possess recognized scientific and administrative competence, devote a substantial commitment of effort to the program, and exercise leadership in maintaining program quality.
- Program Projects require the participation of established investigators in several disciplines or investigators with special expertise in several areas of one discipline. All Senior/Key Personnel (PDs/PIs, Project Leads, Core Leads) must contribute to, and share in, the responsibilities of fulfilling the program objectives.
The Program Project size should be planned carefully. The program must comprise a sufficient number of scientifically meritorious R01-type Research Projects (at least three) to permit an effective collaborative effort among the participating investigators. On the other hand, research efforts should not be so diverse and diffuse in scope as to hinder productive collaboration. In such instances, consideration should be given to submitting individual R01 research project grant applications. P01s that are too large may inhibit communication and interaction among collaborators and, as a result, become less effective.
P01 Program Projects supported by NICHD may only be renewed for one additional 5-year period. At the end of that time, the Projects within the program should be sufficiently developed to warrant independent support as R01 grants. Applications for support beyond the first renewal period must be submitted as "New" applications and must include significant changes in scope and direction and, when appropriate, changes in individual project leadership. Exceptions to this policy may be approved by NICHD staff, but such exceptions will be rare and granted only with extraordinary justification.
The NICHD invites P01 applications in research areas relevant to the mission of the Institute as represented by its program areas. NICHD supports a broad spectrum of research on normal and abnormal human development, including contraception, fertilization, pregnancy, childbirth, prenatal and postnatal development, and childhood development through adolescence. The mission areas also include research on intellectual and developmental disabilities and rehabilitation medicine. The research interests of NICHD are described in more detail at: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/der/branches/Pages/index.aspx
Applicants are encouraged to contact NICHD program staff to discuss the aims of the proposed Program Project in relation to the institute's research mission and priority areas.
Funding Instrument |
Grant: A support mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity. |
Application Types Allowed |
New The OER Glossary and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on these application types. |
Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards |
The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. |
Award Budget |
Application budget need to reflect the actual costs of the proposed Program Project. |
Award Project Period |
The scope of the proposed project should determine the project period. The maximum project period is 5 years. |
NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.
Higher Education Institutions
- Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
- Private Institutions of Higher Education
The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education:
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
For-Profit Organizations
- Small Businesses
- For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses)
Governments
- State Governments
- County Governments
- City or Township Governments
- Special District Governments
- Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized)
- Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government
- U.S. Territory or Possession
Other
- Independent School Districts
- Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities
- Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Faith-based or Community-based Organizations
- Regional Organizations
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are
not eligible to apply.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible
to apply.
Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
Applicant organizations must complete the following registrations as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. Applicants must have a valid Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in order to begin each of the following registrations.
- System for Award Management (SAM) must maintain an active entity registration (formerly r registration), to be renewed at least annually. Use the SAM.gov Manage Entity function to manage your entity registrations. See the Grants Registration User Guide at SAM.gov for additional information.
- Grants.gov
- eRA Commons
All Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s)) and
component Project Leads that are not yet registered in eRA Commons must work
with their institutional officials to register. Also, institutional officials
at the applicant organization should ensure that the eRA Commons account for
the contact PD/PI is affiliated with their organization.
eRA Commons accounts are necessary to use ASSIST to prepare and submit
applications.
All registrations must be completed by the application due date. Applicant
organizations are strongly encouraged to start the registration process at
least 6 weeks prior to the application due date.
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources
necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal
Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to
develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial
and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always
encouraged to apply for NIH support.
For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple
Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key
Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
The PD/PI of the overall P01 Program Project should be an established scientist with demonstrated administrative capabilities. Research Projects should be led by investigators (Project Leads) with appropriate background in the relevant discipline(s). The Admin Core and any other Cores should be led by investigators (Core Leads) with appropriate scientific and technical expertise. The PD/PI and other Key Personnel should be able to collaborate productively so that new scientific information may be freely exchanged and effectively applied by others in the program.
This FOA does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.
NIH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed within the past thirty-seven months (as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement), except for submission:
- To an RFA of an application that was submitted previously as an investigator-initiated application but not paid;
- Of an investigator-initiated application that was originally submitted to an RFA but not paid; or
- Of an application with a changed grant activity code.
The simultaneous submission of an R01 and a P01 application for support of the same Research Project is allowed. If both applications receive a fundable score, however, the Lead of the Research Project must decline the R01 award and keep the Research Project in the P01.
Applicants can access the SF424 (R&R) application package associated with this funding opportunity using the Apply for Grant Electronically button in this FOA or following the directions provided at Grants.gov.
Most applicants will use NIH’s ASSIST system to prepare and submit applications through Grants.gov to NIH. Applications prepared and submitted using applicant systems capable of submitting electronic multi-project applications to Grants.gov will also be accepted.
It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, except where instructed in this funding opportunity announcement to do otherwise and where instructions in the Application Guide are directly related to the Grants.gov downloadable forms currently used with most NIH opportunities. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.
For information on Application Submission and Receipt, visit Frequently Asked Questions Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.
Component Types Available in ASSIST |
Research Strategy/Program Plan Page Limits |
Overall |
12 pages |
Admin Core |
6 pages |
Core |
6 pages |
Project |
12 pages |
Pilot Projects (Component includes all Pilot Projects) |
6 pages |
Additional page limits described in the SF424 Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.
The following section supplements the instructions found in the SF 424 Application Guide, and should be used for preparing a multi-component application.
The application should consist of the following components:
- Overall: required
- Admin Core: required
- Other Cores: optional
- Projects: minimum of 3 required
- Pilot Project Component: optional
When preparing your application in ASSIST, use Component Type Overall .
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
SF424 (R&R) Cover (Overall)
Complete entire form.
PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement (Overall)
Note: Human Embryonic Stem Cell lines from other components should be repeated in cell line table in Overall component.
Research & Related Other Project Information (Overall)
Follow standard instructions.
Human Subjects: Answer only the Are Human Subjects Involved? and 'Is the Project Exempt from Federal regulations? questions.
Vertebrate Animals: Answer only the Are Vertebrate Animals Used? question.
Project Narrative: Follow the instructions in the SF424 Application Guide. The Project Narrative is only required for the Overall Component, not for any other Components of the application.
Project/Performance Site Location(s) (Overall)
Enter primary site only.
A summary of Project/Performance Sites in the Overall section of the assembled application image in eRA Commons compiled from data collected in the other components will be generated upon submission.
Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Overall)
Include only the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) and any multi-PDs/PIs (if applicable to this FOA) for the entire application.
A summary of Senior/Key Persons followed by their Biographical Sketches in the Overall section of the assembled application image in eRA Commons will be generated upon submission.
Budget (Overall)
The only budget information included in the Overall component is the Estimated Project Funding section of the SF424 (R&R) Cover.
Applications requesting more than $1 million direct costs per year or $5 million direct costs over 5 years or that request inflationary increases for the noncompeting years for renewals will require compelling budget justifications.
A budget summary in the Overall section of the assembled application image in eRA Commons compiled from detailed budget data collected in the other components will be generated upon submission.
PHS 398 Research Plan (Overall)
Introduction to Application: For Resubmission and Revision applications, an Introduction to Application is required in the Overall component.
Specific Aims: Include Specific Aims for the P01 project overall.
Research Strategy: Describe the major themes of the overall Program Project, its goals and objectives, background information and the overall importance of the research to the theme of this program. Explain the strategy for achieving the goals defined for the overall program and how each Research Project and Core relate to that strategy. Explain how the different aspects of the organization, including key personnel, will coordinate and communicate, why they are essential to accomplishing the overall goal of the research, and how the combined resources create an overall program that is more than the sum of its parts. Include all necessary tables, graphs, figures, diagrams and charts in this section. In addition, provide the following information:
History, Purpose, and Objectives of the Program
Discuss the overall P01 program's objectives and general plans for the proposed grant period, including research grant history with yearly funding level.
Administration, Organization, and Operation
Include information on the support and commitment of the parent institution for the program, the authority and qualifications of the PD(s)/PI(s), the use of advisory committees, and method of determining Core access and space assignments. Do not list specific members for any external advisory committees. The list should only include the type of expertise of the proposed members and their role in advising Key Personnel of the Program Project. Describe structures for day-to-day management of the Program Project, including arrangements for internal quality control of ongoing research. Describe organizational framework and provide an organizational chart.
Research Program
Discuss the proposed research program, highlighting its central theme. List by title the Cores and Research Projects and the names of the Project Leads or Core Leads. Describe the relationship between the Research Projects and the Cores and their relationship to the central theme.
Description of Assurances and Collaborative Agreements
Provide an overview and rationale for any collaborative and cooperative endeavors or subcontracts. Letters of Support for these arrangements are included as described below.
Letters of Support: Include letters of support/agreement for any collaborative/cooperative arrangements, subcontracts, or consultants. Letters of support for the P01 Program Project overall should be included with the Overall Component. Letters of support for individual Research Projects or Cores should be included with those components of the application. For program activities to be conducted off site, i.e., at an institution other than the applicant institution, a letter of assurance or comparable documentation, signed by the collaborator as well as the off-site institutional officials, must be submitted with the application.
Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)) as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following modifications:
- All applications, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, should address a Resource Sharing Plan, including a Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Resources to be developed under the Research Projects and Cores should be described in the Resource Sharing Plan for the Overall Component.
Appendix: Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
When preparing your application in ASSIST, use Component Type Admin Core.
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
SF424 (R&R) Cover (Admin Core)
Complete only the following fields:
- Applicant Information
- Type of Applicant (optional)
- Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project
- Proposed Project Start/Ending Dates
PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement (Admin Core)
Enter Human Embryonic Stem Cells in each relevant component.
Research & Related Other Project Information (Admin Core)
Human Subjects: Answer only the Are Human Subjects Involved? and 'Is the Project Exempt from Federal regulations? questions.
Vertebrate Animals: Answer only the Are Vertebrate Animals Used? question.
Project Narrative: Do not complete.
Project /Performance Site Location(s) (Admin Core)
List all performance sites that apply to the specific component.
Note: The Project Performance Site form allows up to 300 sites, prior to using additional attachment for additional entries.
Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Admin Core)
- In the Project Director/Principal Investigator section, use Project Role of Other with Category of Project Lead and provide a valid eRA Commons ID in the Credential field.
- In the additional Senior/Key Profiles section, list Senior/Key persons that are working in the component.
- Include a Biographical Sketch for each Senior/Key person listed in the Admin Core Component of the application. When a Senior/Key person is listed in multiple components, the Biographical Sketch should be included in only one component. All Biosketches will be collated in the Overall Component in the application image.
- If more than 100 Senior/Key persons are included in a component, the Additional Senior Key Person attachments should be used.
Budget (Admin Core)
Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package.
Note: The R&R Budget form included in many of the component types allows for up to 100 Senior/Key Persons in section A and 100 Equipment Items in section C prior to using attachments for additional entries. All other SF424 (R&R) instructions apply.
PHS 398 Research Plan (Admin Core)
Introduction to Application: For Resubmission and Revision applications, an Introduction to Application is allowed for each component.
Specific Aims: Include a brief list of Specific Aims outlining the objectives and functions of the Admin Core.
Research Strategy - For the Admin Core, provide the following information:
- Objectives of the Admin Core
- Staffing: Description of administrative, scientific, technical, and support staff.
- Resources: Description of how Admin Core resources will contribute to the objectives of the Research Projects.
- Services provided: Description of the services provided to other Cores and Research Projects.
- Administration: Description of the strategies and processes that will be used to manage the P01 and achieve the overall goals. The Admin Core will provide oversight for the Cores and Research Projects, and will promote coordination and collaboration within the program and with investigators and organizations outside the program. The Research Strategy should describe the planning and coordination of research activities, the integration of cross-disciplinary research, allocation of funds, management of resources and quality control, the maintenance of ongoing communication, and plans for evaluation of the Program Project by internal or external advisory committees. Indicate who will be responsible for each of these activities.
Include tables or organizational charts, if appropriate.
For new applications, include information on past activities or accomplishments relevant to the Admin Core. For renewal/revision applications, provide a Progress Report.
Letters of Support: Include Letters of Support specific to the Admin Core.
Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)) as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following modifications:
- Do not include a Resource Sharing Plan for this Component. Any resources to be developed under this component should be included with the Resource Sharing Plan for the Overall Component.
Appendix: Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
When preparing your application in ASSIST, use Component Type Core for any additional Cores.
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
SF424 (R&R) Cover (Cores)
Complete only the following fields:
- Applicant Information
- Type of Applicant (optional)
- Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project
- Proposed Project Start/Ending Dates
PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement (Cores)
Enter Human Embryonic Stem Cells in each relevant component.
Research & Related Other Project Information (Cores)
Human Subjects: Answer only the Are Human Subjects Involved? and 'Is the Project Exempt from Federal regulations? questions.
Vertebrate Animals: Answer only the Are Vertebrate Animals Used? question.
Project Narrative: Do not complete.
Project /Performance Site Location(s) (Cores)
List all performance sites that apply to the specific component.
Note: The Project Performance Site form allows up to 300 sites, prior to using additional attachment for additional entries.
Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Cores)
- In the Project Director/Principal Investigator section, use Project Role of Other with Category of Core Lead and provide a valid eRA Commons ID in the Credential field.
- In the additional Senior/Key Profiles section, list Senior/Key persons that are working in the component.
- Include a Biographical Sketch for each Senior/Key person listed in the Core Component of the application. When a Senior/Key person is listed in multiple components, the Biographical Sketch should be included in only one component. All Biosketches will be collated in the Overall Component in the application image.
- If more than 100 Senior/Key persons are included in a component, the Additional Senior Key Person attachments should be used.
Budget (Cores)
Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package.
Note: The R&R Budget form included in many of the component types allows for up to 100 Senior/Key Persons in section A and 100 Equipment Items in section C prior to using attachments for additional entries. All other SF424 (R&R) instructions apply.
PHS 398 Research Plan (Cores)
Introduction to Application: For Resubmission and Revision applications, an Introduction to Application is allowed for each component.
Specific Aims: Include a brief list of Specific Aims outlining the objectives and functions of the Core.
Research Strategy - Provide the following information:
- Objective of the Core
- Staffing: Brief description of scientific, technical, and support staff.
- Resources: Description of how Core resources will contribute to the objectives of the Research Projects.
- Services provided: Description of current and projected services to other Core and Research Components, as well as the process for prioritizing requests for use of Core facilities by the various Research Projects. If a Core already exists, include a description of past services provided, new technologies developed, changes in protocols or Core administration, and other significant developments.
- Management: Description of overall management of the Core, decision-making process for use of Core services, and plans for cost-effectiveness and quality control.
- Utilization of Core: Provide a summary of past and/or projected usage of Core services (e.g., assays performed, animals supplied, etc.). Include estimates of the percentage use of each Core unit by the affiliated Research Project components.
Letters of Support: Provide letters of support specific to the Core.
Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)) as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following modification:
- Do not include a Resource Sharing Plan for this Component. Any resources to be developed under this component should be included with the Resource Sharing Plan for the Overall Component.
Appendix: Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
When preparing your application in ASSIST, use Component Type Project.
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
SF424 (R&R) Cover (Research Project Name)
Complete only the following fields:
- Applicant Information
- Type of Applicant (optional)
- Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project
- Proposed Project Start/Ending Dates
PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement (Research Project Name)
Enter Human Embryonic Stem Cells in each relevant component.
Research & Related Other Project Information (Research Project Name)
Human Subjects: Answer only the Are Human Subjects Involved? and 'Is the Project Exempt from Federal regulations? questions.
Vertebrate Animals: Answer only the Are Vertebrate Animals Used? question.
Project Narrative: Do not complete.
Project /Performance Site Location(s) (Research Project Name)
List all performance sites that apply to the specific component.
Note: The Project Performance Site form allows up to 300 sites, prior to using additional attachment for additional entries.
Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Research Project Name)
- In the Project Director/Principal Investigator section, use Project Role of Other with Category of Project Lead and provide a valid eRA Commons ID in the Credential field.
- In the additional Senior/Key Profiles section, list Senior/Key persons that are working in the component.
- Include a Biographical Sketch for each Senior/Key person listed in the Research Project Component of the application. When a Senior/Key person is listed in multiple components, the Biographical Sketch should be included in only one component. All Biosketches will be collated in the Overall Component in the application image.
- If more than 100 Senior/Key persons are included in a component, the Additional Senior Key Person attachments should be used.
Budget (Research Project Name)
Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package.
Note: The R&R Budget form included in many of the component types allows for up to 100 Senior/Key Persons in section A and 100 Equipment Items in section C prior to using attachments for additional entries. All other SF424 (R&R) instructions apply.
PHS 398 Research Plan (Research Project Name)
Introduction to Application: For Resubmission and Revision applications, an Introduction to Application is allowed for each component.
Specific Aims: Provide Specific Aims for the Research Project.
Research Strategy: Following the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, start each section with the appropriate section heading Significance, Innovation, Approach. Cite published experimental details and provide the full reference in the Bibliography and References Cited section. Clearly describe the project's objectives and explain its relevance to the overall program's theme. Specify the biomedical significance of the work proposed. As part of the Research Strategy, include information on preliminary studies, data, and/or prior experience pertinent to this application. For renewal/revision applications, provide a Progress Report. Describe the Research Project's use of Core services, including why the services are needed and the advantages and cost effectiveness of Core usage for the Project.
Letters of Support: Provide letters of support specific to the Research Project.
Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)) as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following modification:
- Do not include a Resource Sharing Plan for this component. Any resources to be developed under this component should be included with the Resource Sharing Plan for the Overall Component.
Appendix: Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
When preparing your application in ASSIST, use Component Type Pilot Projects.
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
The Pilot Project Component may include one or more Pilot Projects to generate preliminary data or to develop new technologies that further enhance the research efforts of the Program Project. All proposed Pilot Projects must be described together within the designated page limit for the Research Strategy of the Pilot Project Component of the application. If additional Pilot Projects are to be supported after the onset of the P01 award, the application must describe the process for reviewing and selecting those projects.
SF424 (R&R) Cover (Pilot Project Component)
Complete only the following fields:
- Applicant Information
- Type of Applicant (optional)
- Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project
- Proposed Project Start/Ending Dates
PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement (Pilot Project Component)
Enter Human Embryonic Stem Cells in each relevant component.
Research & Related Other Project Information (Pilot Project Component)
Human Subjects: Answer only the Are Human Subjects Involved? and 'Is the Project Exempt from Federal regulations? questions.
Vertebrate Animals: Answer only the Are Vertebrate Animals Used? question.
Project Narrative: Do not complete.
Project /Performance Site Location(s) (Pilot Project Component)
List all performance sites that apply to the specific component.
Note: The Project Performance Site form allows up to 300 sites, prior to using additional attachment for additional entries.
Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Pilot Project Component)
- In the Project Director/Principal Investigator section, use Project Role of Other with Category of Project Lead and provide a valid eRA Commons ID in the Credential field.
- In the additional Senior/Key Profiles section, list Senior/Key persons that are working in the component.
- Include a Biographical Sketch for each Senior/Key person listed in the Pilot Project Component of the application. When a Senior/Key person is listed in multiple components, the Biographical Sketch should be included in only one component. All Biosketches will be collated in the Overall Component in the application image.
- If more than 100 Senior/Key persons are included in a component, the Additional Senior Key Person attachments should be used.
Budget (Pilot Project Component)
Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package.
Note: The R&R Budget form included in many of the component types allows for up to 100 Senior/Key Persons in section A and 100 Equipment Items in section C prior to using attachments for additional entries. All other SF424 (R&R) instructions apply.
PHS 398 Research Plan (Pilot Project Component)
One or more Pilot Projects may be proposed to generate preliminary data for submission of an R01 or other applications or to develop new technologies that further enhance the research efforts of the Program Project. The proposed Research Plan must be described in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the Pilot Project(s) using the review criteria listed under Section V Application Review Information , with the exception that little or no preliminary data are required.
Introduction to Application: For Resubmission and Revision applications, an Introduction to Application is allowed for each component.
Specific Aims: Describe Specific Aims for Pilot Projects included with this Component.
Research Strategy: Following the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, describe each of the proposed Pilot Projects using the appropriate headings Significance, Innovation, Approach. Cite any published experimental details in the Research Strategy section and provide the full reference in the Bibliography and References Cited section. Each Pilot Project description should clearly relate the project's objectives to the Program Project's overall theme. Specify the biomedical significance of the work proposed. Although little or no preliminary data are required for a Pilot Project, any relevant studies or data that establish the feasibility and rationale for the project may be included. Describe the Pilot Project's use of Core services, including why the services are needed and the advantages and cost effectiveness of Core usage for the project. If additional Pilot Projects are to be supported after the onset of the P01 award, the application must describe the process for reviewing and selecting those projects.
Letters of Support: Provide letters of support specific to any of the proposed Pilot Projects.
Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)) as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following modifications:
- Do not include a Resource Sharing Plan for this component. Any resources to be developed under this component should be included with the Resource Sharing Plan for the Overall Component.
Appendix: Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission.
Organizations must submit applications to Grants.gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies) using ASSIST or other electronic submission systems. Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH’s electronic system for grants administration.
Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.
Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.
All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.
For information on how your application will be automatically assembled for review and funding consideration after submission go to: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/ElectronicReceipt/files/Electronic_Multi-project_Application_Image_Assembly.pdf.
Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.
For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit Applying Electronically.
Important
reminders:
All PD(s)/PI(s) and component Project Leads must include their
eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile
Component of the SF424(R&R) Application Package. Failure to register
in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field
will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.
The applicant organization must ensure that the DUNS number it provides on the
application is the same number used in the organization’s profile in the eRA
Commons and for the System for Award Management (SAM). Additional information
may be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
See more
tips for avoiding common errors.
Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by the Center for Scientific Review, NIH. Applications that are incomplete will not be reviewed.
Applicants requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year (excluding consortium F&A) must contact NIH program staff at least 12 weeks before submitting the application and follow the Policy on the Acceptance for Review of Unsolicited Applications that Request $500,000 or More in Direct Costs as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in NOT-OD-10-115.
Important Update: See
NOT-OD-16-006 and NOT-OD-16-011 for updated review language for applications for due dates on or after January 25, 2016.
Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. As part of the NIH mission, all applications submitted to the NIH in support of biomedical and behavioral research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.
For this particular announcement, note the following: peer review of NICHD Program Project applications focuses on three areas: (1) review of the individual Research Projects and any optional Pilot Projects; (2) review of the individual Cores; (3) review of the P01 program as an integrated collection of Projects and Cores oriented around a central theme, and the overall merit of the program.
Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the Program Project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the Program Project proposed).
Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit, and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a Program Project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.
Significance
Does the Program Project address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field? If the aims of the Program Project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice be improved? How will successful completion of the aims change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field?
Investigator(s)
Are the PD(s)/PI(s), collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the Program Project? If Early Stage Investigators or New Investigators, or in the early stages of independent careers, do they have appropriate experience and training? If established, have they demonstrated an ongoing record of accomplishments that have advanced their field(s)? If the project is collaborative or multi-PD/PI, do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the project?
Innovation
Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions? Are the concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions novel to one field of research or novel in a broad sense? Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions proposed?
Approach
Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses
well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the Program
Project? Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for
success presented? If the project is in the early stages of development, will
the strategy establish feasibility and will particularly risky aspects be
managed?
If the Program Project involves clinical research, are the plans for 1)
protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion of
minorities and members of both sexes/genders, as well as the inclusion of
children, justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy
proposed?
Environment
Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Are the institutional support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigators adequate for the project proposed? Will the project benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements?
As applicable for the Program Project proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items.
Program Project as an Integrated Effort
The overall Program Project will be evaluated as an integrated research effort focused on one or more research areas listed under Research Scope. The relationship and contributions of each Research Project and Core to the central theme will be discussed and evaluated. Reviewers will assign an impact/priority score based on assessment of the scientific and technical merit of the Program Project overall. The assessment will take into consideration all proposed Research Projects and Cores, including any with poor ratings. The review of the Program Project as an integrated effort will include the following criteria:
- Will there be coordination, cohesiveness, and synergy among the Research Projects and Cores as they relate to the common theme of the Program Project?
- Are there clear advantages of conducting the proposed research as a Program Project rather than through separate Research Projects?
- Are mechanisms proposed for regular communication and coordination among investigators in the Program Project?
- Are there effective administrative structures for the day-to-day management of the Program Project, including arrangements for internal quality control of ongoing research?
Protections for Human Subjects
For research that involves human subjects but does
not involve one of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR
Part 46, the committee will evaluate the justification for involvement of human
subjects and the proposed protections from research risk relating to their
participation according to the following five review criteria: 1) risk to
subjects, 2) adequacy of protection against risks, 3) potential benefits to the
subjects and others, 4) importance of the knowledge to be gained, and 5) data
and safety monitoring for clinical trials.
For research that involves human subjects and meets the criteria for one or
more of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46,
the committee will evaluate: 1) the justification for the exemption, 2) human
subjects involvement and characteristics, and 3) sources of materials. For
additional information on review of the Human Subjects section, please refer to
the Human
Subjects Protection and Inclusion Guidelines.
Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children
When the proposed Program Project involves clinical research, the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for inclusion of minorities and members of both genders, as well as the inclusion of children. For additional information on review of the Inclusion section, please refer to the Human Subjects Protection and Inclusion Guidelines.
Vertebrate Animals
The committee will evaluate the involvement of live vertebrate animals as part of the scientific assessment according to the following five points: 1) proposed use of the animals, and species, strains, ages, sex, and numbers to be used; 2) justifications for the use of animals and for the appropriateness of the species and numbers proposed; 3) adequacy of veterinary care; 4) procedures for limiting discomfort, distress, pain and injury to that which is unavoidable in the conduct of scientifically sound research including the use of analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs and/or comfortable restraining devices; and 5) methods of euthanasia and reason for selection if not consistent with the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. For additional information on review of the Vertebrate Animals section, please refer to the Worksheet for Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section.
Biohazards
Reviewers will assess whether materials or procedures proposed are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, and if needed, determine whether adequate protection is proposed.
Resubmissions
For Resubmissions, the committee will evaluate the application as now presented, taking into consideration the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group and changes made to the Program Project.
Renewals
For Renewals, the committee will consider the progress made in the last funding period.
- Has sufficient progress been made in the last funding period relative to the original goals of the Program Project and objectives of each Research Project and Core?
- Does progress made during the previous funding period demonstrate an acceptable level of integration between the Research Projects and Cores?
- Were the previous specific aims accomplished, and are the proposed research goals logical extensions of work during the current funding period?
- Has scientific synergy occurred, as indicated by joint publications and new collaborative aims and/or projects?
- Is there adequate justification for adding or deleting new Research Projects and/or Cores?
Revisions
For Revisions, the committee will consider the appropriateness of the proposed expansion of the scope of the project. If the Revision application relates to a specific line of investigation presented in the original application that was not recommended for approval by the committee, then the committee will consider whether the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group are adequate and whether substantial changes are clearly evident.
As applicable for the Program Project proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score.
Applications from Foreign Organizations
Not Applicable
Select Agent Research
Reviewers will assess the information provided in this section of the application, including 1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in the proposed research, 2) the registration status of all entities where Select Agent(s) will be used, 3) the procedures that will be used to monitor possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and 4) plans for appropriate biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).
Resource Sharing Plans
Reviewers will comment on whether the following Resource Sharing Plans, or the rationale for not sharing the following types of resources, are reasonable: 1) Data Sharing Plan; 2) Sharing Model Organisms; and 3) Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS).
Budget and Period of Support
Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.
Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the Research Projects to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the proposed Program Project).
Reviewers will also consider each of the five review criteria below in the determination of scientific and technical merit and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.
Significance
Does the Research Project address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field? If the aims of the Project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice be improved? How will successful completion of the aims change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field?
Investigator(s)
Are the PD/PIs, collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the Research Project? If Early Stage Investigators, New Investigators, or investigators in early stages of independent careers will serve as Project Leads, do they have appropriate experience and training? If established, have they demonstrated an ongoing record of accomplishments that have advanced their field(s)? If the project is collaborative or multi-PD/PI, do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the Project?
Innovation
Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions? Are the concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions novel to one field of research or novel in a broad sense? Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions proposed?
Approach
Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the Research Project? Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success presented? If the Research Project is in the early stages of development, will the strategy establish feasibility and will particularly risky aspects be managed? If the Project involves clinical research, are the plans for 1) protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion of minorities and members of both sexes/genders, as well as the inclusion of children, justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed?
Environment
Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Are the institutional support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigators adequate for the Research Project proposed? Will the Project benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements? Is the Project well-integrated into the Program Project as a whole?
As applicable for the Research Project proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items.
Protections for Human Subjects
For research that involves human subjects but does not involve one of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate the justification for involvement of human subjects and the proposed protections from research risk relating to their participation according to the following five review criteria: 1) risk to subjects, 2) adequacy of protection against risks, 3) potential benefits to the subjects and others, 4) importance of the knowledge to be gained, and 5) data and safety monitoring for clinical trials.
For research that involves human subjects and meets the criteria for one or more of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate: 1) the justification for the exemption, 2) human subjects involvement and characteristics, and 3) sources of materials. For additional information on review of the Human Subjects section, please refer to the Human Subjects Protection and Inclusion Guidelines.
Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children
When the proposed Research Project involves clinical research, the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for inclusion of minorities and members of both genders, as well as the inclusion of children. For additional information on review of the Inclusion section, please refer to the Human Subjects Protection and Inclusion Guidelines.
Vertebrate Animals
The committee will evaluate the involvement of live vertebrate animals as part of the scientific assessment according to the following five points: 1) proposed use of the animals, and species, strains, ages, sex, and numbers to be used; 2) justifications for the use of animals and for the appropriateness of the species and numbers proposed; 3) adequacy of veterinary care; 4) procedures for limiting discomfort, distress, pain and injury to that which is unavoidable in the conduct of scientifically sound research including the use of analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs and/or comfortable restraining devices; and 5) methods of euthanasia and reason for selection if not consistent with the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. For additional information on review of the Vertebrate Animals section, please refer to the Worksheet for Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section.
Biohazards
Reviewers will assess whether materials or procedures proposed are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, and if needed, determine whether adequate protection is proposed.
Resubmissions
For Resubmissions, the committee will evaluate the application as now presented, taking into consideration the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group and changes made to the project.
Renewals
For Renewals, the committee will consider the following:
- Has sufficient progress been made in the last funding period relative to the original goals of the Research Project?
- Has the Research Project participated in collaborative research activities within the Program project overall?
Revisions
For Revisions, the committee will consider the appropriateness of the proposed expansion of the scope of the project. If the Revision application relates to a specific line of investigation presented in the original application that was not recommended for approval by the committee, then the committee will consider whether the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group are adequate and whether substantial changes are clearly evident.
As applicable for the Research Project, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score.
Applications from Foreign Organizations
Not Applicable
Select Agent Research
Reviewers will assess the information provided in this section of the application, including 1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in the proposed research, 2) the registration status of all entities where Select Agent(s) will be used, 3) the procedures that will be used to monitor possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and 4) plans for appropriate biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).
Resource Sharing Plans
Reviewers of Research Projects need not comment on Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, Genome Wide Association Studies). Resources to be developed through any Core, Research Project, or Pilot Project must be described in the Resource Sharing Plan for the P01 Overall Component and reviewed for that section of the application only.
Budget and Period of Support
Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.
For any optional Pilot Projects, note the following:
Optional Pilot Projects are all included within the Pilot Project Component. Pilot Projects are discrete, well-defined projects that can be completed in a relatively short time frame with limited funding. For this reason, the Pilot Project Components of an application may not contain extensive detail or discussion. Accordingly, reviewers should evaluate the conceptual framework and general approach to the problem. Appropriate justification for the proposed work can be provided through literature citations, data from other sources, or from investigator-generated data. Preliminary data are not required, though they may be included if available.
Review of the Pilot Project Component must include consideration of any and all Pilot Projects proposed in the application, as well as the process for selecting additional Pilot Projects during the course of the award.
Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the Pilot Project(s) to make an important contribution to the overall Program Project, in consideration of the following scored review criteria and additional review criteria.
Reviewers will consider each of the five review criteria below in the determination of scientific and technical merit and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.
Significance
Does the Pilot Project Component have potential for addressing an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field? If the aims of the Pilot Project(s) are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice be improved? How will successful completion of the aims change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field?
Investigator(s)
Are the PD/PIs, collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the Pilot Project(s)? If Early Stage Investigators, New Investigators, or investigators in early stages of independent careers will serve as Project Leads, do they have appropriate experience and training? If established, have they demonstrated an ongoing record of accomplishments that have advanced their field(s)? If the project is collaborative or multi-PD/PI, do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the Project?
Innovation
Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions? Are the concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions novel to one field of research or novel in a broad sense? Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions proposed?
Approach
Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the Pilot Project(s)? Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success presented? Will the strategy establish feasibility and will particularly risky aspects be managed? If the Pilot Project(s) involve clinical research, are the plans for 1) protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion of minorities and members of both sexes/genders, as well as the inclusion of children, justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed?
Is there an effective process for reviewing and selecting new Pilot Projects after any initial Pilot Projects have been completed? Are there adequate institutional plans and procedures to assure that any new Pilot Projects comply with applicable federal regulations and NIH policies for the protection of human research participants, including the evaluation of risks and protections in project proposals, appropriate ethical oversight of funded projects, and plans for monitoring data and safety in clinical research projects?
Environment
Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Are the institutional support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigators adequate for the Pilot Project(s) proposed? Will the Project(s) benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements? Are the Pilot Projects well-integrated into the Program Project as a whole?
As applicable for the Pilot Project(s) proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items.
Protections for Human Subjects
For research that involves human subjects but does not involve one of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate the justification for involvement of human subjects and the proposed protections from research risk relating to their participation according to the following five review criteria: 1) risk to subjects, 2) adequacy of protection against risks, 3) potential benefits to the subjects and others, 4) importance of the knowledge to be gained, and 5) data and safety monitoring for clinical trials.
For research that involves human subjects and meets the criteria for one or more of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate: 1) the justification for the exemption, 2) human subjects involvement and characteristics, and 3) sources of materials. For additional information on review of the Human Subjects section, please refer to the Human Subjects Protection and Inclusion Guidelines.
Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children
When the proposed Pilot Project(s) involve clinical research, the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for inclusion of minorities and members of both genders, as well as the inclusion of children. For additional information on review of the Inclusion section, please refer to the Human Subjects Protection and Inclusion Guidelines.
Vertebrate Animals
The committee will evaluate the involvement of live vertebrate animals as part of the scientific assessment according to the following five points: 1) proposed use of the animals, and species, strains, ages, sex, and numbers to be used; 2) justifications for the use of animals and for the appropriateness of the species and numbers proposed; 3) adequacy of veterinary care; 4) procedures for limiting discomfort, distress, pain and injury to that which is unavoidable in the conduct of scientifically sound research including the use of analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs and/or comfortable restraining devices; and 5) methods of euthanasia and reason for selection if not consistent with the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. For additional information on review of the Vertebrate Animals section, please refer to the Worksheet for Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section.
Biohazards
Reviewers will assess whether materials or procedures proposed are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, and if needed, determine whether adequate protection is proposed.
Resubmissions
For Resubmissions, the committee will evaluate the application as now presented, taking into consideration the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group and changes made to the project.
Renewals
For Renewals that include a Pilot Project Component, the committee will consider the following:
- Was the Pilot Project Component well managed during the prior project period and did the studies provide a promising experimental or technical basis for further projects?
- Have the Pilot Projects contributed to the collaborative research activities within the Program Project overall?
Revisions
For Revisions, the committee will consider the appropriateness of the proposed expansion of the scope of the project. If the Revision application relates to a specific line of investigation presented in the original application that was not recommended for approval by the committee, then the committee will consider whether the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group are adequate and whether substantial changes are clearly evident.
As applicable for the Pilot Project(s) proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score.
Applications from Foreign Organizations
For Pilot Projects from foreign organizations, reviewers will assess whether the project presents special opportunities for furthering research programs through the use of unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions that exist in other countries and either are not readily available in the United States or augment existing U.S. resources.
Select Agent Research
Reviewers will assess the information provided in this section of the application, including 1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in the proposed research, 2) the registration status of all entities where Select Agent(s) will be used, 3) the procedures that will be used to monitor possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and 4) plans for appropriate biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).
Resource Sharing Plans
Reviewers of Pilot Projects need not comment on Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, Genome Wide Association Studies). Resources to be developed through any Core, Research Project, or Pilot Project must be described in the Resource Sharing Plan for the P01 Overall Component and reviewed for that section of the application only.
Budget and Period of Support
Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.
Reviewers will assign an Impact Score for the Admin Core and any other Cores in terms of the following review criteria.
Reviewers will evaluate the following items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an Impact Score, but will not give separate scores for these items.
Admin Core and Other Cores
For Admin Core and all other Cores, the review will evaluate the following:
- Are the qualifications, experience, and commitment of the Core Lead and other Core personnel appropriate?
- Will the services provided by the Core enable the investigators to achieve their research goals?
- Is the Core cost-effective, and are there appropriate quality control measures?
- Is the Core of utility to the Program Project overall?
Admin Core
In addition to the above criteria for all Cores, reviewers will evaluate the following for the Admin Core:
- Does the Admin Core Lead have appropriate experience in research administration?
- Is the decision-making process for evaluating research productivity, allocation of funds, and management of resources appropriate?
- Is the plan for evaluating the Program Project appropriate?
- Is the plan for use of internal or external advisory groups effective?
Protections for Human Subjects
For research that involves human subjects but does not involve one of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate the justification for involvement of human subjects and the proposed protections from research risk relating to their participation according to the following five review criteria: 1) risk to subjects, 2) adequacy of protection against risks, 3) potential benefits to the subjects and others, 4) importance of the knowledge to be gained, and 5) data and safety monitoring for clinical trials.
For research that involves human subjects and meets the criteria for one or more of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate: 1) the justification for the exemption, 2) human subjects involvement and characteristics, and 3) sources of materials. For additional information on review of the Human Subjects section, please refer to the Human Subjects Protection and Inclusion Guidelines.
Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children
When the proposed Cores involve clinical research, the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for inclusion of minorities and members of both genders, as well as the inclusion of children. For additional information on review of the Inclusion section, please refer to the Human Subjects Protection and Inclusion Guidelines.
Vertebrate Animals
The committee will evaluate the involvement of live vertebrate animals as part of the scientific assessment according to the following five points: 1) proposed use of the animals, and species, strains, ages, sex, and numbers to be used; 2) justifications for the use of animals and for the appropriateness of the species and numbers proposed; 3) adequacy of veterinary care; 4) procedures for limiting discomfort, distress, pain and injury to that which is unavoidable in the conduct of scientifically sound research including the use of analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs and/or comfortable restraining devices; and 5) methods of euthanasia and reason for selection if not consistent with the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. For additional information on review of the Vertebrate Animals section, please refer to the Worksheet for Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section.
Biohazards
Reviewers will assess whether materials or procedures proposed are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, and if needed, determine whether adequate protection is proposed.
Resubmissions
For Resubmissions, the committee will evaluate the application as now presented, taking into consideration the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group and changes made to the project.
Renewals
For Renewals, the committee will consider the following:
Has sufficient progress been made in the last funding period relative to the original goals of the Core?
Has the Core made and important contribution to collaborative research activities within the Program Project?
Revisions
For Revisions, the committee will consider the appropriateness of the proposed expansion of the scope of the project. If the Revision application relates to a specific line of investigation presented in the original application that was not recommended for approval by the committee, then the committee will consider whether the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group are adequate and whether substantial changes are clearly evident.
As applicable for the Cores proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score.
Applications from Foreign Organizations
For any Cores sponsored by foreign organizations, reviewers will assess whether the Core presents special opportunities for furthering research programs through the use of unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions that exist in other countries and either are not readily available in the United States or augment existing U.S. resources.
Select Agent Research
Reviewers will assess the information provided in this section of the application, including 1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in the proposed research, 2) the registration status of all entities where Select Agent(s) will be used, 3) the procedures that will be used to monitor possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and 4) plans for appropriate biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).
Resource Sharing Plans
Reviewers of Cores need not comment on Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, Genome Wide Association Studies). Resources to be developed through any Core or Research Project must be described in the Resource Sharing Plan for the P01 Overall Component and reviewed for that section of the application only.
Budget and Period of Support
Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed Core functions.
Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s), convened by NICHD, in accordance with NIH peer review policy and procedures, using the stated review criteria. Assignment to a Scientific Review Group will be shown in the eRA Commons.
As part of the scientific peer review, all applications:
- May undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific and technical merit (generally the top half of applications under review) will be discussed and assigned an overall impact score.
- Will receive a written critique.
Applications will be assigned to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications. Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the National Advisory Child Health and Human Development (NACHHD) Council. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
- Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific peer review.
- Availability of funds.
- Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities.
After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the eRA Commons.
Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Note: Potential overlap of P01 Research Projects with other
current projects will be assessed for applications that are selected to receive
grant awards. NIH staff will request complete and up-to-date Other Support
information after peer review as part of the "Just-in-Time" request.
This information will be used to check that the proposed research is not
already funded through other sources.
A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided
to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA signed by
the grants management officer is the authorizing document and will be sent via
email to the grantee’s business official.
Awardees must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions. Selection
of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any
costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk. These
costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs.
Any application awarded in response to this FOA will be subject to the DUNS, SAM
Registration, and Transparency Act requirements as noted on the Award
Conditions and Information for NIH Grants website.
Awardee-selected projects that involve clinical trials or studies involving greater than minimal risk to human subjects require prior approval by NIH prior to initiation.
- The awardee institution will provide NIH with written study protocols that address risks and protections for human subjects in accordance with NIH s Instructions for Preparing the Human Subjects Section of the Research Plan.
- The awardee institution will provide NIH with specific plans for data and safety monitoring, and will notify the IRB and NIH of serious adverse events and unanticipated problems, consistent with NIH DSMP policies.
All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the NoA. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities. More information is provided at Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants.
Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award
Not Applicable
When multiple years are involved, awardees will be required to submit the Non-Competing Continuation Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590 or RPPR) annually and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
For Program Projects proposing awardee-selected Pilot Projects, progress reports should briefly describe status of Pilot Projects, including data and safety monitoring, and should notify NIH of serious adverse events and unanticipated problems.
A final progress report, invention statement, and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required for closeout of an award, as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act), includes a requirement for awardees of Federal grants to report information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation under Federal assistance awards issued in FY2011 or later. All awardees of applicable NIH grants and cooperative agreements are required to report to the Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) available at www.fsrs.gov on all subawards over $25,000. See the NIH Grants Policy Statement for additional information on this reporting requirement.
We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity
and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.
Grants.gov
Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and
submission, downloading or navigating forms)
Contact Center Telephone: 800-518-4726
Email: [email protected]
GrantsInfo (Questions regarding application instructions and
process, finding NIH grant resources)
Telephone: 301-710-0267
TTY 301-451-5936
Email: [email protected]
eRA Service Desk (Questions regarding ASSIST, eRA Commons registration, tracking application status, post submission issues)
Telephone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)
TTY: 301-451-5939
Email: [email protected]
Eugene G. Hayunga, PhD
Director, Office of Extramural Policy
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301-435-6856
Email: [email protected]
Sherry L. Dupere, PhD
Chief, Scientific Review Branch
Eunice
Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301-496-1485
Email: [email protected]
Bryan S. Clark, MBA
Chief Grants Management Officer
Eunice
Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301-435-6975
Email: [email protected]
Recently issued trans-NIH policy notices may affect your application submission. A full list of policy notices published by NIH is provided in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92.
