Part 1. Overview Information

Key Dates

All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.

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.

IMPORTANT: Per NOT-OD-24-086 updated application forms (FORMS-I) will be used for this opportunity. The updated forms are not yet available and will be posted 30 calendar days or more prior to the first application due date. Once posted, you will be able to access the forms using one of the following submission options:

1. NIH ASSIST
2. An institutional system-to-system (S2S) solution
3. Grants.gov Workspace

Part 2. Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Notice of Funding Opportunity Description

Support for Early-Stage Technology Development Is Critical to Advancing Biomedical Research

Technological advances are crucial for accelerating biomedical research. Technology enables science by providing new ways to address questions, and more importantly, by allowing researchers to pose new questions that could not be anticipated in the absence of the enabling technology. New knowledge drives the imperative for new tools, and those tools stimulate new questions, in a mutually reinforcing feedback loop that drives science forward. Early technology development can be described in two stages: (I) exploratory proof-of-concept research to determine the feasibility and best approach(es) for a technology development project, and (II) the subsequent research and development that focus on creating and validating a working prototype technology before application to untested biomedical problems is possible. This NOFO invites projects in Stage I - evaluation of an untested concept. A companion NOFO, PAR-25-203 Focused Technology Research and Development (R01- Clinical Trial Not Allowed) supports Stage II projects - i.e., research and development of a working prototype. Applications that address specific biological questions in addition to developing specific technologies are not responsive to the goals of these NOFOs but may be submitted to the Parent R01 funding announcement or other NOFOs (e.g., NIGMS Maximizing Investigators' Research Awards).

Applications to this NOFO should propose technology development at a conceptual stage, not yet supported by any proof-of-concept data, in order to demonstrate feasibility of the proposed technology and/or establish the most likely path to successful development. When compared to current state-of-the-art technology, the proposed concept should lead to a technological breakthrough or a significant tool to advance current biomedical research. The project’s starting point should be the current state of knowledge, and concepts of the new technology must not have been already tested for feasibility. Project aims should focus on either(a) exploratory research to identify, among several possibilities, the approach with the highest likelihood of success, or (b) demonstrating feasibility of a specific novel approach.

For this NOFO, technology refers to tools, methods, and techniques that enable a broad spectrum of biomedical research that falls within the NIGMS mission including, but not limited to:

• laboratory instruments and other devices,
• algorithms and software,
• chemical reagents and processes,
• biological molecules or systems that have been modified by human intervention for use as research tools.

Further, this NOFO calls for innovative exploratory technology development predicated on an explicitly described broad need or challenge in biomedical research. This need should exceed current technological capability, with the state-of-the-art technological performance defining the starting point. Comparison of the proposed technical performance improvement to the state of the art will provide the rationale for developing a fundamentally different technology. While specific well-characterized test systems may be used for validation, applications should highlight the broad utility of the technology for biomedical research. 

Responsiveness Criteria

Proof of Concept: This NOFO supports proof-of-concept studies to develop prototypes and exploratory technologies that do not have demonstrated feasibility in the literature, are not based on preliminary data, and are not obvious extensions of the current state of the art. The expected project outcome must be a clear test of concept, either positive or negative. The proposed concept must be innovative, represent a significant advance over the state of the art, and address current obstacles to advancing biomedical research.

Validation: Application to synthetic models or well-characterized biological systems to assess performance can be included at this stage. To be considered for funding, applications of the technology must be limited to well-characterized models or systems chosen to facilitate technology development rather than to immediately address biological questions. The project aims must be focused entirely on the technology development.

Non-Responsiveness Criteria

Biological Questions: Applications that include aims that address specific biological questions are not responsive to the goals of this NOFO and will be administratively withdrawn without review. However, validation of a technology against known, well-characterized standards is encouraged. Although biomedical relevance is an essential element of NIH research, this stage of technology development should not include immediate short-term application of nascent technologies to challenging biomedical research questions.

Information that establishes feasibility or proof of concept: Applications that include published or unpublished results that support the feasibility of the Specific Aims, forecast the project objectives, develop proof of concept or significantly mitigate risk are not responsive to the goals of the NOFO and will be administratively withdrawn.

Relevance of Research Topics for this NOFO

Prospective applicants are strongly advised to consult with the Scientific/Research Contact(s) listed in Part 2. Section VII. Agency Contacts for guidance on assessing the application's relevance for this NOFO. Final determination of application responsiveness for this NOFO will be based on NIH Staff assessment of the submitted full application. Applications that are determined to be non-responsive to this NOFO, or that propose research topics that are not appropriate for NIGMS, will be administratively withdrawn.

The NIGMS mission is to support basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for future advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. NIGMS-funded scientists investigate how living systems work at a range of levels - from molecules and cells to tissues and organs - in research organisms, humans, and populations. The institute’s research mission is aimed at understanding the principles, mechanisms, and processes that underlie living organisms, often using research models. NIGMS also supports the development of fundamental methods and new technologies to achieve its mission. Supported research may utilize specific cells or organ systems if they serve as models for understanding general principles.

NIGMS supports:

• research and technology development that is aimed at understanding general principles, mechanisms, and processes through Scientific Divisions with diverse interests,
• research in specific clinical areas that affect multiple organ systems such as anesthesiology and peri-operative pain, sepsis, clinical pharmacology that is common to multiple drugs and treatments, trauma, burn injury, and wound healing.

NIGMS does not support:

• research focused on single classes of cells, tissues, organs, or diseases unless they are used as models for elucidating basic principles,
• technology development for a specific disease and/or organ system beyond the specific ones listed above,
• HIV/AIDS-related applications.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit NIGMS Technology Development Programs (R21 and R01) for more details.

Note: Applications that propose technology development with the following characteristics will be of low funding priority:

• incremental advances of technology,
• obvious substitution of one known element for another,
• technology that will only lead to an incremental advance in biomedical research,
• combinations of prior elements with additive utility,
• technologies that are ready for advanced development and validation.

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

Section II. Award 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)

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

• 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 Organizations) 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

Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the How to Apply- 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. Failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission, please reference the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications for additional information.

• 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 registrations; 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 and Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity, NOT-OD-20-031.

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 How to Apply-Application Guide.

2. Cost Sharing

This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 1.2 Definition of Terms.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility

Number of Applications

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

The 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).

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 may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Page Limitations

All page limitations described in the How to Apply- Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.

The following section supplements the instructions found in the How to Apply- Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this NOFO.

SF424(R&R) Cover

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

SF424(R&R) Project/Performance Site Locations

All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.

SF424(R&R) Other Project Information

All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.

Other Attachments: The application must include the following attachment: 

Letter from the PD/PI: This signed letter from the PD/PI must confirm adherence to the following responsiveness criteria: 

• The proposed project focuses solely on new technology development, ideas, or concepts; 
• The project does not include biomedical aims or tests of biological hypotheses; 
• The application does not include published or unpublished data that support feasibility of the project aims;  
• The application does not propose re-purposing of existing technologies from other research areas  

If this letter is not included, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Applications that include this letter but are found to be nonresponsive by the NIGMS Technology Development NOFO Team will be withdrawn without review. 

Please name the file "Letter from PD/PI".

SF424(R&R) Senior/Key Person Profile

All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.

R&R or Modular Budget

All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.

R&R Subaward Budget

All instructions in the How to Apply-Application Guide must be followed.

PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement

All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.

PHS 398 Research Plan

All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

Specific Aims: Applications should propose to advance technical knowledge.Technical advances should be novel, inventive entities or methods that have potential future utility to advance biomedical research. Examples of supported technologies include, but are not limited to, instruments, devices, algorithms, software, chemicals, biomolecules, cells, or modified organisms that have potential value for enabling new biomedical research.

Research Strategy:

Significance

In addition to the topics outlined in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, 

• Describe the potential impact of the tool that will be developed and its anticipated utility for biomedical research. 
• Articulate the potential of the proposed technology to address substantial unmet needs or solve longstanding technical problems in biomedical research.

Because this is very early-stage exploratory technology development, impact is not likely to be immediate. Nonetheless, the possible future impact of the proposed technology must be compelling and clearly articulated.

Innovation

In addition to the topics outlined in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, 

• Outline the unique nature of the technical opportunity that will be developed in the project. 
• Describe how the technology concept is a novel, inventive entity or method.
• Provide limitations of the state of the art and the rationale for developing a fundamentally different technology. Describe the project innovation by the extent of technical advance over the state of the art or potential advance enabled for biomedical research.

Approach

In addition to the topics outlined in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, 

• Describe those aspects of the experimental approach that are specific to exploratory technology development. These include the uncertainties underlying the proposed technology research and development, including the risk of failure.
• Provide the rationale for the approach(es) to be explored in the project. Describe how feasibility or proof of concept for the technology will be established. 
• Outline how data will be obtained, analyzed, and interpreted with sufficient rigor to quantitatively assess feasibility of the technology.
• For exploratory research, high risk is expected, and milestones might not be reached on a predictable timetable. Describe the desired performance characteristics of the proposed technology that will be used to evaluate progress toward achieving the project goals.
• While inclusion of untested biological questions will not be funded, validation of the nascent technology with well-characterized models or gold standard biological samples is encouraged. Explain the rationale for the selection of validation systems in terms of the desired technology performance and how a validation system will facilitate technology development.
• Describe how experimental results from the exploratory project will serve as a foundation for next phase development efforts such as an R01, small business grant, or equivalent. For exploratory research, it is expected that further technical development will be necessary to achieve biomedical research utility.

Project objectives should be novel and not obvious compared to the current state of the art. Therefore, evidence that the concept is achievable would demonstrate positive proof of concept and is not allowed by this NOFO. To ensure that feasibility or proof of concept has not been evaluated, do not include or refer to unpublished and/or preliminary data, results, or conclusions, since these forecast an increased likelihood of success.

Published data for establishing the state of the art can be provided through literature citations, published data from other sources including preprints with a DOI number, or theoretical principles. Any published data that forecast the success of the project objectives or develop proof of concept are not responsive to this NOFO.

Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the How to Apply- Application Guide.

Other Plan(s): 

All instructions in the How to Apply-Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

• All applicants planning research (funded or conducted in whole or in part by NIH) that results in the generation of scientific data are required to comply with the instructions for the Data Management and Sharing Plan. All applications, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, must address a Data Management and Sharing Plan.

Appendix: Only limited Appendix materials are allowed. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the How to Apply- Application Guide.

• No publications or other material, with the exception of blank questionnaires or blank surveys, may be included in the Appendix.

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 How to Apply- 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 How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.

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 How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.

PHS Assignment Request Form

All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.

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

See Part 2. 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. 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 How to Apply-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 Section 7.9.1 Selected Items of Cost.

Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the How to Apply 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. See Section III of this NOFO for information on registration requirements.

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 How to Apply Application Guide.

See more tips for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions and responsiveness to the NOFO by the Center for Scientific Review and NIGMS. Applications that are incomplete, non-compliant, or non-responsive will not be reviewed.

Applications must include an attachment titled “Letter from PD/PI” as an Other Attachment on the Other Project Information form. Applications that fail to include this attachment will be considered incomplete and will be administratively withdrawn before review.

Recipients or subrecipients must submit any information related to violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. See Mandatory Disclosures, 2 CFR 200.113 and NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4.1.35.

Send written disclosures to the NIH Chief Grants Management Officer listed on the Notice of Award for the IC that funded the award and to the HHS Office of Inspector Grant Self Disclosure Program at grantdisclosures@oig.hhs.gov.

Post Submission Materials

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 particular announcement, note the following:

The Exploratory Research for Technology Development program uses the R21 activity code but is distinct from the NIH Parent R21 in several respects that are listed below.

• Exploratory research projects should focus solely on development of technology that is at initial concept stage and has not yet been proven.
• Because projects will not yet have been evaluated for feasibility, a high risk of failure is expected.
• Applications referring to unpublished or preliminary data supporting feasibility or proof of concept are not appropriate for this program.  Unpublished data must not be included, and proof of concept or feasibility must not have been established.
• Literature citations can only be used to establish current state of the art.
• A reasonable outcome of an exploratory research project would evaluate feasibility of one or more technical approaches.
• Significant projects should have both innovative technical advances and compelling utility for future biological research, though the impact need not be immediate.
• Optimization, development, or re-purposing of existing technologies is not responsive to this NOFO.
• Validation with well-characterized biological or chemical systems is encouraged, but applications that include investigation of new biological questions are not responsive to this NOFO.

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following scored review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed). An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have a major scientific impact.

Reviewers will consider Factors 1, 2 and 3 in the determination of scientific merit, and in providing an overall impact score. In addition, Factors 1 and 2 will each receive a separate factor score. 

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, but will not give criterion scores for these items, and should consider them in providing an overall impact score.

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 Center for Scientific Review 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.

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.

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 appropriate national Advisory Council or Board. 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.

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 Section 2.5.1. Just-in-Time Procedures. This request is not a Notice of Award nor should it be construed to be an indicator of possible funding.

Prior to making an award, NIH reviews an applicant’s federal award history in SAM.gov to ensure sound business practices. An applicant can review and comment on any information in the Responsibility/Qualification records available in SAM.gov. NIH will consider any comments by the applicant in the Responsibility/Qualification records in SAM.gov to ascertain the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and performance record of managing Federal awards per 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. 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

A Notice of Award (NoA) is the official authorizing document notifying the applicant that an award has been made and that funds may be requested from the designated HHS payment system or office. The NoA is signed by the Grants Management Officer and emailed to the recipient’s business official.

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.

Recipients must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.6. Funding Restrictions. Any pre-award costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the applicant's own risk.  For more information on the Notice of Award, please refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 5. The Notice of Award and NIH Grants & Funding website, see Award Process.

Institutional Review Board or Independent Ethics Committee Approval: Recipient institutions must ensure that protocols are reviewed by their IRB or IEC. To help ensure the safety of participants enrolled in NIH-funded studies, the recipient must provide NIH copies of documents related to all major changes in the status of ongoing protocols.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The following Federal wide and HHS-specific policy requirements apply to awards funded through NIH:

• The rules listed at 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
• All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the terms and conditions in the Notice of Award (NoA). The NoA includes the requirements of this NOFO. 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.
• If a recipient receives an award, the recipient must follow all applicable nondiscrimination laws. The recipient agrees to this when registering in SAM.gov. The recipient must also submit an Assurance of Compliance (HHS-690). To learn more, see the Laws and Regulations Enforced by the HHS Office for Civil Rights website.
  • HHS recognizes that NIH 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.

All federal statutes and regulations relevant to federal financial assistance, including those highlighted in NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4 Public Policy Requirements, Objectives and Other Appropriation Mandates.

Recipients are responsible for ensuring that their activities comply with all applicable federal regulations.  NIH may terminate awards under certain circumstances.  See 2 CFR Part 200.340 Termination and NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.5.2 Remedies for Noncompliance or Enforcement Actions: Suspension, Termination, and Withholding of Support. 

Successful recipients under this NOFO agree that:

Where the award funding involves implementing, acquiring, or upgrading health IT for activities by any funded entity, recipients and subrecipient(s) are required to: Use health IT that meets standards and implementation specifications adopted in 45 CFR part 170, Subpart B, if such standards and implementation specifications can support the activity.  Visit https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-D/part-170/subpart-B to learn more.

Where the award funding involves implementing, acquiring, or upgrading health IT for activities by eligible clinicians in ambulatory settings, or hospitals, eligible under Sections 4101, 4102, and 4201 of the HITECH Act, use health IT certified under the ONC Health IT Certification Program if certified technology can support the activity. Visit https://www.healthit.gov/topic/certification-ehrs/certification-health-it to learn more.

Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Act of 2015, Div. N, § 405, Pub. Law 114-113, 6 USC § 1533(d), the HHS Secretary has established a common set of voluntary, consensus-based, and industry-led guidelines, best practices, methodologies, procedures, and processes.

Successful recipients under this NOFO agree that:

When recipients, subrecipients, or third-party entities have:

1. ongoing and consistent access to HHS owned or operated information or operational technology systems; and 
2. receive, maintain, transmit, store, access, exchange, process, or utilize personal identifiable information (PII) or personal health information (PHI) obtained from the awarding HHS agency for the purposes of executing the award.

Recipients shall develop plans and procedures, modeled after the NIST Cybersecurity framework, to protect HHS systems and data. Please refer to NIH Post-Award Monitoring and Reporting for additional information. 

Not Applicable

Consistent with the 2023 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 Section 8.4.1 Reporting. To learn more about post-award monitoring and reporting, see the NIH Grants & Funding website, see Post-Award Monitoring and Reporting.

As part of the RPPR, grantees are expected to report any accomplishments of the award leading to:

• Grant applications to programs such as the Maximizing Investigators' Research Award R35, Focused Technology Research and Development R01, or NIH Research Project Grant R01
• Grant applications to programs such as the SBIR/STTR
• Dissemination of tools and technologies to other research laboratories or as commercialized products
• Patent applications and awards

A final RPPR, 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 Section 8.6 Closeout. 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 2 CFR Part 200.301.

In carrying out stewardship of grant programs, NIGMS will periodically evaluate the NIGMS Technology Development R21 Program, employing the representative measures identified below. In assessing the effectiveness of technology development investments, NIGMS may use information from progress reports and public databases, PD/PIs, and from participants themselves. Where necessary, PD/PIs and participants may be appropriately contacted after the completion of the grant period for updates on participants’ subsequent outcomes.

The overall evaluation of the program will be based on metrics that may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Characteristics of the applicant and awardee pool for the program, such as:
  • Geographic distribution
  • Investigator / personnel demographics
  • Institution types
  • Types and stages of technologies being developed
• Indicators of scientific accomplishments / productivity, such as:
  • Peer-reviewed research publications and citations
  • Presentations at scientific conferences (talks, posters, etc.)
  • Patents filed and granted
• Indicators of technology progression and uptake, such as:
  • Demonstration of proof of concept
  • Application of technology to biological problems
  • Dissemination and uptake of technologies among the scientific community
  • Subsequent applications to and awards from other technology development, dissemination, and commercialization programs

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

Alvin T. Yeh
Division of Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: NIGMS_techdev@nigms.nih.gov

Kadir Aslan, Ph.D.
Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: NIGMS_techdev@nigms.nih.gov

Examine your eRA Commons account for review assignment and contact information (information appears two weeks after the submission due date).

Stephaine Foster
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: stephaine.foster@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 and 2 CFR Part 200.