Part 1. Overview Information

Key Dates

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide, except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts).

Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the NOFO) 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.

There are several options available to submit your application through Grants.gov to NIH and Department of Health and Human Services partners. You must use one of these submission options to access the application forms for this opportunity.

1. Use the NIH ASSIST system to prepare, submit and track your application online.
2. Use an institutional system-to-system (S2S) solution to prepare and submit your application to Grants.gov and eRA Commons to track your application. Check with your institutional officials regarding availability.
   
   
3. Use Grants.gov Workspace to prepare and submit your application and eRA Commons to track your application.



Table of Contents
Part 1. Overview Information
Key Dates
Part 2. Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Section II. Award Information
Other Award Budget 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

Part 2. Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research educational activities that complement other formal training programs in the mission areas of the NIH Institutes and Centers.

The overarching goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation’s biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs.

Module Development and Accessibility Expectations

To accomplish the stated overarching goal, NIGMS will support modules that focus on the following:

• Developing and disseminating Courses for Skills Development or Curriculum or Methods Development in alignment with one of the NIGMS topic areas defined in the annually released Notices of Special Interest (NOSIs) located in the Related Notices section above. Because of the complex nature of the training module topics, experts in the subject areas are encouraged to be included on the development and dissemination team.
• Assessing the current training needs of the intended audience, specifying the skills and knowledge that will be gained by the audience and how the module will enhance the biomedical research workforce.
• Filling a gap in the existing educational resources and ensuring the content is relevant and broadly useful for audiences that include biomedical researchers at one or more professional levels including students, postdoctoral scientists, staff scientists, clinical researchers, research faculty, etc. When piloting the modules, the developers should recruit participants for feedback that are reflective of the intended audience to ensure the effectiveness of the modules.

The training modules may employ different formats and approaches but should be timely, informative, engaging, easily accessible, and free to the research training community. Some general expectations are as follows:

• Platforms: A shareable format that is easily available to the public at no cost. Examples include, but are not limited to, interactive online modules; videos or case studies with supporting discussion materials or problem sets; online open courses; or computer-video simulations.
• Length of awards: Training modules should be developed, piloted, and disseminated within the first two years of the award. Depending on the complexity of the project, budgets may be awarded for up to three years to allow for module evaluation, modification and dissemination in year three.
• Evaluation: A clear evaluation plan should include a description of the methods, metrics, and timeline of the training module deployment. Evaluation should include verifiable outcomes and how the module developers will obtain feedback about the effectiveness of the training.
• Dissemination: Training modules must reach a broad, diverse group of biomedical researchers. Examples of dissemination include, but are not limited to the following.
  • Scientific or Educational Conferences: Through participation in a conference(s), grantees are encouraged to present an overview of the modules, progress in developing the modules such as pilot study and evaluation results, and tutorials for effective uses of the modules.
  • NIGMS portal: Once the modules have been developed, tested, and made available, links to these educational resources will be posted on the NIGMS training module clearinghouse web site.
• Accessibility: Training module programs are expected to be accessible to scientists from all backgrounds and abilities, for example, scientists with disabilities. Funded activities are encouraged to explore innovative methods to enhance the accessibility of materials so that all members of the biomedical research workforce may benefit from the training modules.

Program Considerations

As mentioned above, the training modules must focus on distinct subject areas that are relevant to the current biomedical research workforce. NIGMS will annually release NOSIs that will announce the responsive topics for this funding opportunity. The responsive topics will be described in an announcement found in the Related Notices section above. Applications that do not address a specific topic in the most current NOSI will be considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed.

Applicants should note that this funding opportunity is not designed to support a training program with funded trainees or participants. The purpose is to create educational modules to be used in biomedical research training environments.

Research education programs may complement ongoing research training and education occurring at the applicant institution, but the proposed educational experiences must be distinct from those training and education programs currently receiving Federal support. Research education programs, including the R25, may augment institutional research training programs (e.g., T32, T90) but cannot be used to replace or circumvent Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) programs.

See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations.

Section II. Award Information

Other Award Budget Information

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made from this NOFO.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

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

• Local 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)

Federal Governments

• 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

The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program.

Institutions with existing Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) institutional training grants (e.g., T32) or other Federally funded training programs may apply for a research education grant provided that the proposed educational experiences are distinct from those training programs receiving federal support. In many cases, it is anticipated that the proposed research education program will complement ongoing research training occurring at the applicant institution.

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 not allowed.

Applicant Organizations

Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. The NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications states that failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission.

• System for Award Management (SAM) Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually. The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code.
• NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code Foreign organizations must obtain an NCAGE code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM.
• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) A UEI is issued as part of the SAM.gov registration process. The same UEI must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application.
• eRA Commons - Once the unique organization identifier is established, organizations can register with eRA Commons in tandem with completing their Grants.gov registration; all registrations must be in place by time of submission. eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application.
• Grants.gov Applicants must have an active SAM registration in order to complete the Grants.gov registration.

Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s))

All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account. PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons. If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks.

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 their organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. See, Reminder: Notice of NIH's Encouragement of Applications Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as well as Individuals with Disabilities, NOT-OD-22-019.

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(s) will be expected to commit an appropriate level of effort to monitor and assess the program and submit all documents and reports as required. Additional PDs/PIs may be included to strengthen the expertise of the PD/PI team. Examples include individuals with expertise in the topic area, education, evaluation, or deployment of accessible educational material.

2. Cost Sharing

This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility

Number of Applications

Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.

NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time per NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.7.4 Submission of Resubmission Application. This means that the NIH will not accept:

• A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission (A1) application.
• A resubmission (A1) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of the previous new (A0) application.
• An application that has substantial overlap with another application pending appeal of initial peer review. (see NIH Grants Policy Statement 2.3.9.4 Similar, Essentially Identical, or Identical Applications)

For this NOFO, resubmissions and renewals are not allowed.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Requesting an Application Package

The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution. Links to apply using ASSIST or Grants.gov Workspace are available in Part 1 of this NOFO. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide, except where instructed in this Notice of Funding Opportunity to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions will not be reviewed.

The following section supplements the instructions found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this NOFO.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following exceptions:

Facilities & Other Resources. Describe the educational environment, including the facilities, computer services, and any other resources to be used in the development, implementation, support, evaluation, dissemination, and maintenance of the proposed module. The Letter of Institutional Commitment should include assurances of adequate staff, facilities, and resources that will contribute to the success of the planned module and its sustainability (see Letters of Support section for instructions). Do not duplicate information found in the Letter of Institutional Commitment in this section.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following additional modifications:

• Include all personnel other than the PD(s)/PI(s) in the Other Personnel section, including clerical and administrative staff.

• The budget should not include inflationary escalations for recurring costs in out years.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

Research Strategy

Research Strategy section must be used to upload the Research Education Plan, which must include the following components described below:

• Proposed Training Module
• Program Director/Prinicipal Investigator
• Module Instructional Staff
• Module Development Participants
• Evaluation Plan
• Dissemination and Sustainability Plan

Research Education Plan

Proposed Training Module. Applications should describe the following:

• The proposed educational activities that must have a primary focus on Courses for Skills Development or Curriculum and Methods Development.
• The topic of the module (see most recent NOSI for details) and the current gap in biomedical research training the module will address. While the proposed module may complement ongoing research training and educational offerings, the proposed plans must be distinct from overlapping activities currently receiving federal support. The applicant organization should clearly distinguish between the activities in the proposed plan and overlapping currently federally funded initiatives.
• The intended audience in the biomedical research workforce, for example, students, postdoctoral scientists, staff scientists, clinical researchers, research faculty, etc. The training modules are intended to have a broad impact, providing relevant and useful content to the biomedical research workforce across a range of disciplines and career stages.
• The current training needs of the intended audience within the topic area or how the development team will assess the needs.
• The specific, measurable, and obtainable educational goals of the training module. Specify the skills and knowledge that will be gained by the audience and how the module will enhance the biomedical research workforce. Details of how the goals will be measured should be included in the Evaluation Plan section described below.
• The educational content that will ensure the goals will be achieved. Describe the length and breadth of the proposed training module, including the scope and depth of coverage of the subject. Describe examples of how biomedical researchers will utilize the training module, for example, synchronous, asynchronous, individual participation, or group engagement.
• The structures and ways of thinking that are barriers to learning and success in the defined topic area and how the content addresses the barriers.
• The ways in which the proposed module will employ evidence-informed methods that promote an effective, supportive, and inclusive learning environment.
• Electronic platform for the proposed training module and why this is the preferred method. Applicants should explain the dissemination capabilities of the electronic platform and the types of resources needed for the audience to engage with this platform. The use of the platform should be free for the user.
• Timeline for implementation, including content development, piloting and refinement, dissemination, evaluation, and maintenance. The timeline should indicate when the training module will be made publicly available. NIGMS intends that the public release should be within two years of the award date for most awards. Plans for oversight of the implementation should be included in the Evaluation Plan section described below.
• Plans for making the proposed training module accessible, including, but not limited to section 508, compliant with the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. '794 d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105 220; see http://www.section508.gov/ for additional information).

Program Director/Principal Investigator Team. Provide evidence that the Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) or PD/PI team has the appropriate expertise and ability to organize, administer, monitor, disseminate, and evaluate the training module. Provide evidence that the PD/PI team has sufficient time to devote to the successful implementation of the plan. Members of the PD/PI team may hold a professional role other than professor or research faculty. For programs proposing multiple PDs/PIs, describe the complementary expertise of the team, their roles and leadership approach, and governance appropriate for the planned proposal.

Module Instructional Staff. If the training modules development process requires the recruitment of prospective developers or presenters of the educational content (Module Instructional Staff), describe plans to recruit individuals with the appropriate expertise to develop and present the educational content. Additionally, NIH encourages participation of appropriate role models for the intended audience and the pool of prospective Module Instructional Staff should include individuals from diverse backgrounds, for example, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, persons with disabilities, and women (see NIH's Interest in Diversity). Describe the process to ensure that the participating Module Instructional Staff will have skills, knowledge, and experience to effectively educate the intended audience. This may include recruiting a pool of individuals who have a strong record of working effectively with scientists from a wide variety of backgrounds and actively promoting inclusive, safe, equitable, and accessible scientific biomedical research environments.

Module Development Participants. Training module development should include testing the content for effectiveness and relevancy with representatives of the intended audience within the biomedical research workforce. As mentioned above, the application should focus on one or more professional levels including students, postdoctoral scientists, staff scientists, clinical researchers, research faculty, etc. Participants in the piloting should be from diverse backgrounds, for example , individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, persons with disabilities, and women (see NIH's Interest in Diversity). Applicants should describe developing the module participant pool in the Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity section. Describe the module development participant selection process and criteria (such as education and career level) to ensure a representative sample of participants exists. All selection processes must be consistent with applicable laws. Do not duplicate information provided in the Proposed Training Module Plan or the Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity.

Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity. The applicant must provide a recruitment plan to enhance diversity. Include outreach strategies and activities designed to recruit prospective Module Development Participants from diverse backgrounds, for example, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, persons with disabilities, and women (see the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity. Describe the specific efforts to be undertaken by the training module development team.

Evaluation Plan. Funded module development programs must conduct evaluations to monitor the success of achieving the goals outlined in the application. The application may include evaluation instruments, blank survey and questionnaire forms or interview questions in the appendix as instructed in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. The evaluation plan should describe the following:

• How the implementation milestones, including content development, piloting and refinement, dissemination, evaluation, and maintenance will be measured, monitored, and revised as needed.
• The methods for piloting and assessing the effectiveness of the training module and how the modules will be refined before public release. Provide a description of how the team will seek to include appropriate representation of the intended audience in the pilot (expand upon, but do not duplicate the information in the Module Development Participants and Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity sections). Explain how the development team will be responsive to participant input and incorporate changes into the module.
• How the educational goals of the publicly available training module will be measured. Include the methods and measures to determine whether the training module is effective in meeting the educational goals. Plans are encouraged to utilize measures that go beyond self-reported gains and include verifiable outcomes. If possible, a comparator group should be included in the evaluation, for example, comparators may be individuals with similar demographics and aptitude metrics who are at a similar training level but did not participate in the training. If the applicant is not able to identify a comparator group, the application should provide the framework for determining whether the training activities were effective and did not simply recruit talented individuals already on a successful trajectory.

Dissemination & Sustainability Plan. A specific plan must be provided and should describe the following:

• Activities to disseminate nationally, the need for the content, an overview of the modules, progress in developing the modules (such as pilot studies and evaluation results), and tutorials for effective use of the modules. Examples include, but are not limited to, presentations at national meetings, workshops, and publications.
• A stated commitment to submit training modules on the NIGMS training module clearinghouse web site in a timely manner.
• Plans for sustaining the content beyond the granting period (do not duplicate information provided in the Letter of Institutional Commitment).

Letters of Support

A Letter of Institutional Commitment must be attached as part of the Letters of Support. Appropriate institutional commitment should include the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources needed for the development, dissemination and sustainability of the training module. The letter should not duplicate information in the Facilities & Other Resources section. The letter should include a sustainability statement to describe how the institution will maintain the developed, publicly-available training module as described in the application and ensure access to the content through the NIGMS training module clearinghouse web site after the funding ends. Applications lacking a letter of institutional commitment will not be reviewed.

Resource Sharing Plan

Note: Effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2023, a Data Management and Sharing Plan is not applicable for this NOFO.

Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following modification:

A Resource Sharing Plan is not applicable for this NOFO. Applicants should use the Dissemination and Sustainability Plan and Letter of Institutional Commitment to describe sharing of the training module with the biomedical research community.

Appendix

Only limited Appendix materials are allowed. Follow the instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information

When involving human subjects research, clinical research, and/or NIH-defined clinical trials (and when applicable, clinical trials research experience) follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following additional instructions:

If you answered Yes to the question Are Human Subjects Involved? on the R&R Other Project Information form, you must include at least one human subjects study record using the Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form or Delayed Onset Study record.

Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed with the following additional instructions:

Delayed Onset Study

Note: Delayed onset does NOT apply to a study that can be described but will not start immediately (i.e., delayed start). All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

See Part 1. Section III.1 for information regarding the requirement for obtaining a unique entity identifier and for completing and maintaining active registrations in System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (if applicable), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov

4. Submission Dates and Times

Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates and times. 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. When a submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.

Organizations must submit applications to Grants.gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies). 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. NIH and Grants.gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission. Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants.gov on or before the application due date and time. If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late. Applications that miss the due date and time are subjected to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications.

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.

5. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372)

This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

6. Funding Restrictions

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.

7. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

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 How to Apply Application Guide. If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the Dealing with System Issues guidance. For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII.

Important reminders:

All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile form. 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 unique entity identifier provided on the application is the same identifier used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management. 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 and compliance with application instructions by the Center for Scientific Review and NIGMS and responsiveness by components of participating organizations, NIH. Applications that are incomplete, non-compliant and/or non-responsive will not be reviewed.

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in the policy.

Section V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. Applications submitted to the NIH in support of the NIH mission are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

For this announcement, note the following: The goal of this program is to support the development of training modules designed to be accessible and freely available, at no cost to the broader community. The modules should address the current gaps in the educational training of the biomedical research workforce.

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to strongly advance research education by fulfilling the goal of this research education program, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria, as applicable for the 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 project that by its nature is not innovative but may be essential to advance a field.

As applicable for the 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.

As applicable for the 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.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s) convened by the Scientific Review Branch, NIGMS, 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 will receive a written critique.

• 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.

Applications will be assigned on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications submitted in response to this NOFO. Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the Advisory Councils of participating NIH Institutes or Centers. 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.
• Portfolio breadth and geographical and institutional distribution.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

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. Refer to Part 1 for dates for peer review, advisory council review, and earliest start date.

Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.4.4 Disposition of Applications.

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

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.

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 recipient’s business official.

Recipients must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.6. 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 NOFO will be subject to terms and conditions found on the Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants website. This includes any recent legislation and policy applicable to awards that is highlighted on this website.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

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, Recipients, and Activities, including of note, but not limited to:

• Federal-wide Standard Terms and Conditions for Research Grants
• Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment
• Acknowledgment of Federal Funding

If a recipient is successful and receives a Notice of Award, in accepting the award, the recipient agrees that any activities under the award are subject to all provisions currently in effect or implemented during the period of the award, other Department regulations and policies in effect at the time of the award, and applicable statutory provisions.

Should the applicant organization successfully compete for an award, recipients of federal financial assistance (FFA) from HHS will be required to complete an HHS Assurance of Compliance form (HHS Assurance of Compliance form (HHS 690)) in which the recipient agrees, as a condition of receiving the grant, to administer programs in compliance with federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex and disability, and agreeing to comply with federal conscience laws, where applicable. This includes ensuring that entities take meaningful steps to provide meaningful access to persons with limited English proficiency; and ensuring effective communication with persons with disabilities. Where applicable, Title XI and Section 1557 prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and gender identity, The HHS Office for Civil Rights provides guidance on complying with civil rights laws enforced by HHS. See https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/provider-obligations/index.html and https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/nondiscrimination/index.html.

HHS recognizes that research projects are often limited in scope for many reasons that are nondiscriminatory, such as the principal investigator’s scientific interest, funding limitations, recruitment requirements, and other considerations. Thus, criteria in research protocols that target or exclude certain populations are warranted where nondiscriminatory justifications establish that such criteria are appropriate with respect to the health or safety of the subjects, the scientific study design, or the purpose of the research. For additional guidance regarding how the provisions apply to NIH grant programs, please contact the Scientific/Research Contact that is identified in Section VII under Agency Contacts of this NOFO.

• For guidance on meeting the legal obligation to take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to programs or activities by limited English proficient individuals see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/special-topics/limited-english-proficiency/fact-sheet-guidance/index.html and https://www.lep.gov.
• For information on an institution’s specific legal obligations for serving qualified individuals with disabilities, including providing program access, reasonable modifications, and to provide effective communication, see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/disability/index.html.
• HHS funded health and education programs must be administered in an environment free of sexual harassment, see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/sex-discrimination/index.html. For information about NIH's commitment to supporting a safe and respectful work environment, who to contact with questions or concerns, and what NIH's expectations are for institutions and the individuals supported on NIH-funded awards, please see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/harassment.htm.
• For guidance on administering programs in compliance with applicable federal religious nondiscrimination laws and applicable federal conscience protection and associated anti-discrimination laws see https://www.hhs.gov/conscience/conscience-protections/index.html and https://www.hhs.gov/conscience/religious-freedom/index.html.

Please contact the HHS Office for Civil Rights for more information about obligations and prohibitions under federal civil rights laws at https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/about-us/contact-us/index.html or call 1-800-368-1019 or TDD 1-800-537-7697.

In accordance with the statutory provisions contained in Section 872 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417), NIH awards will be subject to the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) requirements. FAPIIS requires Federal award making officials to review and consider information about an applicant in the designated integrity and performance system (currently FAPIIS) prior to making an award. An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through FAPIIS and comment on any information about itself that a federal agency previously entered and is currently in FAPIIS. The Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to other information in FAPIIS, in making a judgement about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR Part 200.206 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants. This provision will apply to all NIH grants and cooperative agreements except fellowships.

3. Data Management and Sharing

Note: The NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing is effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2023.

Consistent with the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing, when data management and sharing is applicable to the award, recipients will be required to adhere to the Data Management and Sharing requirements as outlined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Upon the approval of a Data Management and Sharing Plan, it is required for recipients to implement the plan as described.

4. Reporting

When multiple years are involved, recipients will be required to submit the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) annually and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Continuation support will not be provided until the required forms are submitted and accepted.

NIH NOFOs outline intended research goals and objectives. Post award, NIH will review and measure performance based on the details and outcomes that are shared within the RPPR, as described at 45 CFR Part 75.301 and 2 CFR 200.301.

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 recipients 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 the threshold. See the NIH Grants Policy Statement for additional information on this reporting requirement.

Failure by the recipient institution to submit required forms in a timely, complete, and accurate manner may result in an expenditure disallowance or a delay in any continuation funding for the award.

In accordance with the regulatory requirements 45 CFR Part 75 and 2 CFR Part 200 and Appendix XII to 45 CFR Part 75.113 and 2 CFR Part 200.113, recipients that have currently active Federal grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from all Federal awarding agencies with a cumulative total value greater than $10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of a Federal award, must report and maintain the currency of information reported in the System for Award Management (SAM) about civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings in connection with the award or performance of a Federal award that reached final disposition within the most recent five-year period. The recipient must also make semiannual disclosures regarding such proceedings. Proceedings information will be made publicly available in the designated integrity and performance system (currently FAPIIS). This is a statutory requirement under section 872 of Public Law 110-417, as amended (41 U.S.C. 2313). As required by section 3010 of Public Law 111-212, all information posted in the designated integrity and performance system on or after April 15, 2011, except past performance reviews required for Federal procurement contracts, will be publicly available. Full reporting requirements and procedures are found in Appendix XII to 45 CFR Part 75 and 2 CFR Part 200 Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

A final RPPR 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.

5. Evaluation

In carrying out stewardship of grant programs, NIGMS will periodically evaluate the training modules development program, employing the representative measures identified below. In assessing the effectiveness of workforce development investments, NIGMS may use information from progress reports and available databases. Where necessary, PD/PIs may be appropriately contacted after the completion of the grant period for updates and evaluation outcomes.

In evaluating this program NIGMS expects to do the following:

• Test the functionality of the platforms.
• Periodically verify that the platforms are available at no cost, accessible, and 508 compliant.
• Categorize the teaching strategies and confirm the use of evidence-informed methods.
• Verify that the modules are targeted to impact individuals from a broad range of scientific disciplines and career stages.
• Periodically review whether the content continues to address the current needs of the training community.

Section VII. Agency Contacts

We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.

eRA Service Desk (Questions regarding ASSIST, eRA Commons, application errors and warnings, documenting system problems that threaten submission by the due date, and post-submission issues)

Finding Help Online: https://www.era.nih.gov/need-help (preferred method of contact)
Telephone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)

General Grants Information (Questions regarding application instructions, application processes, and NIH grant resources)
Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov (preferred method of contact)
Telephone: 301-480-7075

Grants.gov Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and Workspace)
Contact Center Telephone: 800-518-4726
Email: support@grants.gov

SBA Company Registry (Questions regarding required registration at the SBA Company Registry and for technical questions or issues)
Website to Email: http://sbir.gov/feedback?type=reg

Kalynda K. Gonzales Stokes
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Email: kalynda.stokes@nih.gov

Edgardo Falcon-Morales
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Email: edgardo.falcon@nih.gov

National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Email: NIGMSReview@mail.nih.gov

Justin Rosenzweig
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: justin.rosenzweig@nih.gov

Section VIII. Other Information

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 .