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.

No late applications will be accepted for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

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

Background

The human virome is defined as a collection of all viruses that are found in or on humans, including both eukaryotic and prokaryotic (bacteriophages) viruses. Excluding the relatively small number of viruses that cause obvious clinical disease, the virome is largely understudied and their molecular interactions within human hosts remain mostly uncharacterized. Whether and how virome composition and interactions impact human health and disease remains largely unknown.

The overall goal of the Human Virome Program (HVP) is to characterize the human virome, including eukaryotic and prokaryotic viruses. The HVP will also create tools, models, and methods that will enable in-depth study of the virome’s breadth and variation, its association with host factors and its influence on human health and disease. It is anticipated that exploration of the human virome will provide insights into the health effects of inter-kingdom interactions (host-virome and microbiome-virome) occurring within the human body and inform future studies examining novel disease connections. The HVP consists of four initiatives that will work synergistically to achieve the goals of the program. These initiatives will be:

1. Characterizing the human virome and its dynamics by utilizing longitudinal, demographically diverse (i.e., age, sex, race, ethnicity, etc.) human cohorts.
2. Facilitating the discovery and annotation of viruses by developing tools, models, and methods that will improve detection, sensitivity, contaminant removal, and scalability.
3. Studying interactions between the virome and the human host, as well as with other components of the human microbiome.
4. Creating a Consortium Organization and Data Collaboration Center (CODCC) that will serve as an organizational and cooperation hub for the HVP Consortium and external groups and through the creation of a human virome catalog and data portal.

Outcomes from this research program will be foundational for building a human virome atlas and translating new knowledge into the discovery of novel health- and disease-related biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for a myriad of viral associated human diseases.

This program is funded through the NIH Common Fund as a short-term, goal-driven strategic investment, with deliverables intended to catalyze research across multiple biomedical research disciplines. The NIH Common Fund supports cross-cutting programs that are expected to have exceptionally high impact. All Common Fund initiatives are expected to support the development of bold, innovative, and often risky approaches to address problems that may seem intractable or to seize new opportunities that offer the potential for rapid progress.

Research Objectives and Scope

For more than a decade, metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses have offered insight about the diversity of viruses associated with humans. However, these technologies have several challenges that limit their use, including sample acquisition and stability, detection sensitivity, contaminant removal, scalability, and insufficient analytical capability. Further, determining whether nucleic acid detection of a virus has biological significance has been impaired by a lack of laboratory and culture methods to study thousands of viruses. Expected outcomes from this research program are to build a human virome atlas and translate new knowledge into the discovery of novel health- and disease-indicating biomarkers and potential therapeutic interventions for a myriad of human diseases.

The goal of Initiative 2 of the HVP is to address the technological and methodological challenges that are currently hindering robust interrogation of the constituents and functionality of the human virome. Despite major advances in sequencing technology and computational analysis of large quantities of sequence data, challenges remain in identifying and characterizing viruses. These challenges include the heterogeneity of virome elements and the lack of universal viral molecular markers (analogous to bacterial 16S rRNA domains), sequencing errors that may lead to the false identification of viruses or variants, a lack of standard references, difficulties working with low biomass samples, host and environmental DNA contamination, inadequate bioinformatic tools for virome analysis, and a lack of robust and curated reference databases.  

Specific Areas of Research Interest

This NOFO is focused on two areas: 1) Development of innovative and novel tools, models, and methods to overcome the major challenges in identifying and characterizing human viruses; and 2) Development of computational biology and bioinformatics tools to enhance the analysis and visualization of the human virome. Topics of interest to this NOFO include, but are not limited to, the development of novel or refinement of:

• Tools and/or methods for viral quantification, ecosystem and biochemical interactions between kingdoms from complex samples 
• Techniques for in vitro viral propagation, replication, infectivity, and/or visualization that mimic invivo environments
• Culture systems with high-throughput capacity
• in vitro assays, including human tissue/cell models, organoid systems, and animal models for virome dynamics
• Enrichment techniques for downstream sequencing
• Approaches for human and animal sample procurement and storage
• Methods and tools for host range prediction from sequence data, viral-viral interaction detection (for example satellites, etc.), ecology-based analysis of viral/host/population dynamics
• in silico methods to compare viromes across studies
• Methods to identify sequencing errors leading to false identification of viruses or variants, and a lack of matches in current viral databases

This NOFO seeks novel applications on new tools, methods and techniques that do not overlap with what is currently funded through RFA-RM-23-018.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIH Staff to discuss the alignment of their proposed work with the goals of this NOFO and the HVP. A list of frequently asked questions with answers is available on the website. Prospective applicants are invited to view the pre-application webinar for RFA-RM-23-018, which was recorded on October 16, 2023. NIH staff discussed the Human Virome initiative and answered questions about the application and review process. The webinar recording and webinar slides are now available.

Applications proposing the following types of studies will be considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed:

• Projects that focus solely on mechanistic studies aimed at understanding biological processes and functional studies that will not result in characterizing human virome attributes.
• Projects developing tools, models, and methods focused on specific disease states that are not part of a broader application centered on defining and characterizing the human virome.

HVP Consortium Responsibilities

Investigators funded through awards under this NOFO and the companion NOFOs, as well as appropriate NIH staff, will constitute the HVP Consortium. In addition to completing the research goals outlined in their applications, successful applicants will be expected to work collaboratively with all members of the HVP Consortium, including the Consortium Organization and Data Collaboration Center (CODCC) (see RFA-RM-23-016 for details on CODCC). The HVP Consortium will encourage the initiation of new collaborative research projects across the entire consortium.

A key aspect of this program is the formation of a consortium-type partnership amongst all HVP award recipients. Shared responsibilities derived from the use of the cooperative agreement mechanism are described in the Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award and will be further articulated by the HVP Consortium. All HVP award recipients will be required to attend annual HVP investigator meetings and other essential meetings as required by the consortium.

The Steering Committee will be the main governing body for the HVP and will be composed of PDs/PIs and key personnel from each HVP award, NIH program staff (Program Officials and Project Scientists), and the NIH HVP working group. Each of the four HVP initiatives  and NIH will have a vote on Steering Committee and decisions and recommendations will be made based on a majority vote. If needed, other government staff members may also participate in HVP Steering Committee meetings as non-voting members. An Executive Committee will be formed to manage the Steering Committee, and it will consist of two PD/PI chairs, other key project personnel, and key NIH officials. The PDs/PIs serving as chairs must be from two different HVP projects and will be selected by NIH staff at the first meeting of the Steering Committee following award issuance. A third co-chair might be selected, depending on the composition and needs of the Executive Committee. The chair positions will rotate amongst the PDs/PIs every two years or as needed. NIH staff will select or approve all Executive Committee appointments.

The CODCC will establish and coordinate working groups to facilitate collaboration and shared interests among the HVP recipients. Each recipient is expected to participate in working groups that are relevant to their research interests. It is anticipated that recipients will identify areas of shared scientific or technological interest across the different awarded initiatives within HVP. Therefore, this NOFO will support collaborative pilot projects for small-scale studies that will benefit from the expertise and/or capabilities across the HVP and that will be relevant to broader research community. The collaborative pilot projects will be proposed during the third project year for cross-validation of the developed tools, methods and technologies in the final project year. Collaborative pilot projects will be proposed by investigators and approved by NIH.

Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP)

The NIH recognizes that teams comprised of investigators with diverse perspectives working together and capitalizing on innovative ideas and distinct viewpoints outperform homogeneous teams. There are many benefits that flow from a scientific workforce rich with diverse perspectives, including: fostering scientific innovation, enhancing global competitiveness, contributing to robust learning environments, improving the quality of the research, advancing the likelihood that underserved populations participate in, and benefit from research, and enhancing public trust.

To support the best science, the NIH encourages inclusivity in research guided by the consideration of diverse perspectives. Broadly, diverse perspectives can include but are not limited to the educational background and scientific expertise of the people who perform the research; the populations who participate as human subjects in research studies; and the places where research is done.

This NOFO requires a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), which will be assessed as part of the scientific and technical peer review evaluation.  Assessment of applications containing a PEDP are based on the scientific and technical merit of the proposed project. Consistent with federal law, the race, ethnicity, or sex (including gender identify, sexual orientation, or transgender status) of a researcher, award participant, or trainee will not be considered during the application review process or when making funding decisions.  Applications that fail to include a PEDP will be considered incomplete and will be administratively withdrawn before review.

The PEDP will be submitted as Other Project Information as an attachment (see Section IV).  Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the NOFO instructions carefully and view the available PEDP Guidance materials. 

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 Government

• Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government - including the NIH Intramural Program
• 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.

• 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 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.

Letter of Intent

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

By the date listed in Part 1. Overview Information, prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:

• Descriptive title of proposed activity
• Name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of the PD(s)/PI(s)
• Names of other key personnel
• Participating institution(s)
• Number and title of this funding opportunity

The letter of intent should be sent to:

Amanda Melillo, PhD
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Telephone: 301-529-7217
Email: amanda.melillo@nih.gov

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.

Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP)

• In an "Other Attachment" entitled "Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives," all applicants must include a summary of strategies to advance the scientific and technical merit of the proposed project through expanded inclusivity. 
• Applicants should align their proposed strategies for PEDP with the research strategy section, providing a holistic and integrated view of how enhancing diverse perspectives and inclusivity are buoyed throughout the application.
• The PEDP will vary depending on the scientific aims, expertise required, the environment and performance site(s), as well as how the project aims are structured.
• The PEDP may be no more than 2 pages in length and should include:
  • Actionable strategies using defined approaches for the inclusion of diverse perspectives in the project;
  • Description of how the PEDP will advance the scientific and technical merit of the proposed project;
  • Anticipated timeline of proposed PEDP activities;
  • Evaluation methods for assessing the progress and success of PEDP activities.

Examples of items that advance inclusivity in research and may be appropriate for a PEDP can include, but are not limited to:

• Partnerships with different types of institutions and organizations (e.g., research-intensive; undergraduate-focused; HBCUs; emerging research institutions; community-based organizations).
• Project frameworks that enable communities and researchers to work collaboratively as equal partners in all phases of the research process.
• Outreach and planned engagement activities to enhance recruitment of individuals from diverse groups as human subjects in clinical trials, including those from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Description of planned partnerships that may enhance geographic and regional diversity.
• Outreach and recruiting activities intended to diversify the pool of applicants for research training programs, such as outreach to prospective applicants from groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, for example, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, those with disabilities, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and women.
• Plans to utilize the project infrastructure (i.e., research and structure) to enhance the research environment and support career-advancing opportunities for junior, early- and mid-career researchers.
• Transdisciplinary research projects and collaborations among researchers from fields beyond the biological sciences, such as physics, engineering, mathematics, computational biology, computer and data sciences, as well as bioethics.

Examples of items that are not appropriate in a PEDP include, but are not limited to:

• Selection or hiring of personnel for a research team based on their race, ethnicity, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender status).
• A training or mentorship program limited to certain researchers based on their race, ethnicity, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender status).

For further information on the Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), please see PEDP Guidance materials.

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.

The following additional budget-related information must be included:

• Applicants must budget funds for travel for PD(s)/PI(s) and other key personnel to attend the annual HVP investigator meetings and workshops.
• Applicants must budget funds in their final year for cross validation of their work products (e.g., shipping unique reagents, labor costs for reproducing methods) as part of the HVP Consortium's Collaborative Pilot Projects  

PEDP implementation costs:

Applicants may include allowable costs associated with PEDP implementation (as outlined in the Grants Policy Statement section 7): https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/html5/section_7/7.1_general.htm.

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:

Research Strategy: As part of the Research Strategy Section, applications must clearly address the following aspects:

• A description of how the tools, technologies or methods will be developed and used to overcome the major challenges in identifying and characterizing viruses.
• In situations where improvement on existing tools/methods/technologies is being proposed, applicants should describe how the proposed new tools will be significantly faster, cheaper, more sensitive, or more robust than existing tools/methods/technologies.
• A description of how the PI(s) plan to work collaboratively with other components of the HVP Consortium to meet program goals.
• Project Milestones: All applications must provide milestones of project progress along with a timeline to completion. Milestones are goals that create decision points in the project and should include clear criteria for success. Yearly milestones should provide clear indicators of a project’s continued success or emergent difficulties and may be used to evaluate the application not only in peer review but also in consideration of the awarded project for funding of non-competing award years. Milestones and the corresponding timelines should be provided in a separate heading at the end of the Approach section.  

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. 

The following modifications also apply:

The Resource Sharing Plan will be evaluated as part of the Approach criterion. In the Resource Sharing Plan, applicants should indicate a statement of willingness to abide by all policies related to resource sharing developed by the HVP Consortium and approved by NIH staff.  

For reagents, investigators are encouraged to consult with NIH program officers to determine which reagents should be deposited at NIH approved-public repositories. Resources and reagents to be shared should be released rapidly and no later than the time of publication or at the end of the award, whichever comes first.

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-definedclinical 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. 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 How to Apply- Application Guide.

5. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372)

This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

Applications Involving the NIH Intramural Research Program

Should intramural scientists submit an application through this NOFO, or should an extramural application include a collaboration with NIH intramural scientists, the requests by NIH intramural scientists will be limited to the incremental costs required for participation. As such, these requests will not include any salary and related fringe benefits for career, career conditional or other Federal employees (civilian or uniformed service) with permanent appointments under existing position ceilings or any costs related to administrative or facilities support (equivalent to Facilities and Administrative or F&A costs). These costs may include salary for staff to be specifically hired under a temporary appointment for the project, consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel, and other items typically listed under Other Expenses. Applicants should indicate the number of person-months devoted to the project, even if no funds are requested for salary and fringe benefits.

If selected, appropriate funding will be provided by the Common Fund through the NIH Intramural Program. NIH intramural scientists will participate in this program as PD/PIs in accord with the Terms and Conditions provided in this NOFO. Intellectual property will be managed in accord with established policy of the NIH in compliance with Executive Order 10096, as amended, 45 CFR Part 7; patent rights for inventions developed in NIH facilities are NIH property unless NIH waives its rights.

Should an extramural application include the collaboration with an intramural scientist, no funds for the support of the intramural scientist may be requested in the application. The intramural scientist may submit a separate request for intramural funding as described above and as described in the NIH Intramural Source Book.

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.

Applications must include a PEDP submitted as Other Project Information as an attachment. Applications that fail to include a PEDP will be considered incomplete and will be administratively withdrawn before review.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions by the Center for Scientific Review and responsiveness by the Office of Strategic Coordination (OSC), NIH. Applications that are deemed incomplete, non-compliant and/or nonresponsive will not undergo further scientific merit 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.

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. As part of the overall impact score, reviewers should consider and indicate how the plan to for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives affects the scientific merit of the project.

Review Criteria

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. 

Factor 1: Importance of the Research

Significance

• Evaluate the importance of the proposed research in the context of current scientific challenges and opportunities, either for advancing knowledge within the field, or more broadly. Assess whether the application addresses an important gap in knowledge in the field, would solve a critical problem, or create a valuable conceptual or technical advance.
• Evaluate the rationale for undertaking the study, the rigor of the scientific background for the work (e.g. prior literature and/or preliminary data) and whether the scientific background justifies the proposed study.

Innovation

• Evaluate the extent to which innovation influences the importance of undertaking the proposed research. Note that while technical or conceptual innovation can influence the importance of the proposed research, a project that is not applying novel concepts or approaches may be of critical importance for the field.
• Evaluate whether the proposed work applies novel concepts, methods or technologies, or uses existing concepts, methods, technologies in novel ways, to enhance the overall impact of the project.

Factor 2. Rigor and Feasibility

Approach

• Evaluate the scientific quality of the proposed work. Evaluate the likelihood that compelling, reproducible findings will result (rigor) and assess whether the proposed studies can be done well and within the timeframes proposed (feasibility).

Rigor:

• Evaluate the potential to produce unbiased, reproducible, robust data.
• Evaluate the rigor of experimental design and whether appropriate controls are in place.
• Evaluate whether the sample size is sufficient and well-justified.
• Assess the quality of the plans for analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results.
• Evaluate whether the investigators presented adequate plans to address relevant biological variables, such as sex or age, in the design, analysis, and reporting.
• For applications involving human subjects or vertebrate animals, also evaluate:
  • the rigor of the intervention or study manipulation (if applicable to the study design).
  • whether outcome variables are justified.
  • whether the results will be generalizable or, in the case of a rare disease/special group, relevant to the particular subgroup.
  • whether the sample is appropriate and sufficiently diverse to address the proposed question(s).
• For applications involving human subjects, including clinical trials, assess the adequacy of inclusion plans as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Considerations of appropriateness may include disease/condition/behavior incidence, prevalence, or population burden, population representation, and/or current state of the science.

Feasibility:

• Evaluate whether the proposed approach is sound and achievable, including plans to address problems or new challenges that emerge in the work. For proposed studies in which feasibility may be less certain, evaluate whether the uncertainty is balanced by the potential for major advances.
• For applications involving human subjects, including clinical trials, evaluate the adequacy and feasibility of the plan to recruit and retain an appropriately diverse population of participants. Additionally, evaluate the likelihood of successfully achieving the proposed enrollment based on age, racial, ethnic, and sex or gender categories.
• For clinical trial applications, evaluate whether the study timeline and milestones are feasible.

Specific to this NOFO: 

Evaluate the appropriateness of the proposed milestones and timeline of the project. 

Factor 3. Expertise and Resources

Investigator(s)

• Evaluate whether the investigator(s) have demonstrated background, training, and expertise, as appropriate for their career stage, to conduct the proposed work. For Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI) applications, assess the quality of the leadership plan to facilitate coordination and collaboration.

Environment

• Evaluate whether the institutional resources are appropriate to ensure the successful execution of the proposed work.

Specific to this NOFO: 

Evaluate the extent of the contributions from the PD/PIs commitment, integration, and collaboration across the HVP Consortium.

Additional Review Criteria

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.

Protections for Human Subjects

For research that involves human subjects but does not involve one of the categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, evaluate the justification for involvement of human subjects and the proposed protections from research risk relating to their participation according to the following five review criteria: 1) risk to subjects, 2) adequacy of protection against risks, 3) potential benefits to the subjects and others, 4) importance of the knowledge to be gained, and 5) data and safety monitoring for clinical trials.

For research that involves human subjects and meets the criteria for one or more of the categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, evaluate: 1) the justification for the exemption, 2) human subjects involvement and characteristics, and 3) sources of materials. For additional information on review of the Human Subjects section, please refer to the Guidelines for the Review of Human Subjects.

Vertebrate Animals

When the proposed research includes Vertebrate Animals, evaluate the involvement of live vertebrate animals according to the following criteria: (1) description of proposed procedures involving animals, including species, strains, ages, sex, and total number to be used; (2) justifications for the use of animals versus alternative models and for the appropriateness of the species proposed; (3) interventions to minimize discomfort, distress, pain and injury; and (4) justification for euthanasia method if NOT consistent with the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals. For additional information on review of the Vertebrate Animals section, please refer to the Worksheet for Review of the Vertebrate Animals Section.

Biohazards

When the proposed research includes Biohazards, evaluate whether specific materials or procedures that will be used are significantly hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, and whether adequate protection is proposed.

Resubmissions

Not Applicable

Renewals

Not Applicable 

Revisions

Not Applicable 

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.

Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources:

For projects involving key biological and/or chemical resources, evaluate the brief plans proposed for identifying and ensuring the validity of those resources.

Budget and Period of Support

Evaluate whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.

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.

Appeals of initial peer review will not be accepted for applications submitted in response to this NOFO.

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, consistent with applicable law.

• Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project, including the PEDP, as determined by scientific peer review.
• Availability of funds.
• Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities.

Please note that reviewers will not consider race, ethnicity, age, or gender (including gender identity, sexual orientation or gender status) of a researcher, award participant, or trainee, even in part, in providing critiques, scores, or funding recommendations. NIH will not consider such factors in making its funding decisions.

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. 

The following special terms of award are in addition to, and not in lieu of, otherwise applicable U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) administrative guidelines, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant administration regulations at 45 CFR Part 75 and 2 CFR Part 200, and other HHS, PHS, and NIH grant administration policies.

The administrative and funding instrument used for this program will be the cooperative agreement, an "assistance" mechanism (rather than an "acquisition" mechanism), in which substantial NIH programmatic involvement with the recipients is anticipated during the performance of the activities. Under the cooperative agreement, the NIH’s purpose is to support and stimulate the recipients' activities by working jointly with them in a partnership role; it is not to assume control, take primary responsibility, or dominate activities. Consistent with this concept, the dominant role and primary responsibility resides with the project recipients, although specific tasks and activities may be shared with the NIH, as defined below.

The PD(s)/PI(s) will have the primary responsibility for:

• Planning and conducting the operations defined by the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement award.
• Reporting results and disseminating data and resources to the Human Virome Program (HVP) Consortium and broader scientific community.
• Committing and maintaining the required effort toward the project each year.
• Agreeing to be an active participant in the HVP Consortium, including attending Steering Committee meetings, participating in other Consortium sponsored meetings and workshops, and participating in collaborative activities.
• Abiding by the governance of the HVP Consortium and all program policies and guidelines agreed upon by the HVP Steering Committee and approved by NIH Program Officials to the extent consistent with applicable rules and regulations.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of the information developed or handled by the Consortium, including, but not limited to, unpublished data, novel technologies, informatics tools, protocols, data analysis, confidential exchanges between members of the HVP Consortium, etc.  Refer to the Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement section below.
• Working closely with the HVP Consortium members to ensure that data, metadata, models, software, and tools developed by the HVP Consortium are deposited in the HVP Data Portal in a timely manner that is consistent with HVP Consortium policies.
• Coordinating with and leveraging, where feasible, the technology of the Common Fund Data Ecosystem (CFDE), a program that provides infrastructure to make generated research data broadly available and to maximize their reuse and impact.
• Facilitating the public release and dissemination of results, data, resources, and other products generated by the HVP Consortium in a timely manner, consistent with achieving the goals of the program. The release and dissemination will be consistent with sharing policies and recommendations developed and approved by the HVP Steering Committee and NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy and the approved Data Management and Sharing Plan.
• Prior to completion or termination of the project, the recipient, in consultation with the NIH program staff, is responsible for ensuring all data, metadata, models, software, and completed references developed are provided to the CODCC and remain accessible to the research community.
• Participating in scientific working groups to facilitate collaborative projects and cross-testing of data, samples, tools, methods, or models within the HVP Consortium.
• Reporting progress to NIH Program Officials on all research activities biannually. The PD(s)/PI(s) may be expected to provide additional information, outside the scope of the standard reporting requirement, as needed and requested by program staff.
• Being prepared for in-person or virtual annual site visits by NIH Program staff and participation in the NIH-coordinated evaluation of the program.

The recipient will retain custody of and have primary rights to the data and software developed under these awards, subject to Government rights of access consistent with current DHHS, PHS, and NIH policies.

NIH staff will have substantial programmatic involvement that is above and beyond the normal stewardship role in awards, as described below:

• One or more designated NIH program staff members will have substantial involvement as Project Scientist(s). Additionally, an NIH Program Official will be responsible for the normal scientific and programmatic stewardship of the award and will be named in the award notice.
• Specific roles and activities of NIH staff members include the following:
  • Serving as members of the HVP Steering Committee (NIH has one vote).
  • Assisting the Steering Committee, the HVP Consortium, and individual recipients in avoiding unwarranted duplications of effort across the HVP.
  • Acting as a resource to recipients to facilitate broader interactions with other NIH programs in the dissemination or exchange of HVP results, tools, and models and to leverage existing NIH resources and infrastructures. This includes acting as a liaison between the HVP and other relevant programs.
  • Ensuring that the HVP data- and tool-sharing infrastructure and implementation complies with the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy and the approved Data Management Sharing Plan.
  • Reviewing the progress of HVP-funded projects, conducting periodic site visits, and taking other actions as needed.
  • Participating in the organization of HVP Consortium meetings, specialized workshops, and webinars.
  • Maintaining continuous communication with the Common Fund Data Ecosystem.
• Progress Reviews: The annual evaluation by the Program Official will be based on progress reports and assessments by the Project Scientist(s). NIH staff will also assess the management, performance, and utility of the project. If concerns are identified by the Program Official, the Project Scientist(s) will work with the PD(s)/PI(s) to develop plans to address them in the next year of support. In addition, NIH staff may conduct interim reviews of scientific progress beyond the normal annual review that may inform future funding decisions.
• Special Reviews: Funds may be restricted pending completion of key award or Consortium milestones, independent of prior performance concerns. However, if concerns about the project performance or management are identified, the Program Official may conduct special reviews as necessary. NIH may engage outside experts to assist in these reviews. If project concerns arise and are not resolved, NIH may reduce or restrict the budget or reduce the term of support to phase out the project. In the event of long-term incapacitation of resource facilities, NIH may reduce the budget or term of support to phase out the project. Before any modifications are made, NIH staff will engage with the recipients in a positive manner to timely resolve performance issues as allowed by the Cooperative Agreement mechanism.

Areas of Joint Responsibility

The Steering Committee will be the main governing body for the HVP. The Steering Committee will be composed of HVP PDs/PIs and key personnel, NIH program staff, and the NIH HVP working group. NIH staff as one entity and each of the four HVP initiatives will have one vote (for a total of five votes) on the Steering Committee, and decisions and recommendations will be made based on a majority vote. If needed, other government staff members may also participate in HVP Steering Committee meetings as non-voting members.

An Executive Committee will be formed to manage the Steering Committee and will be comprised of two PD/PI chairs, other key personnel, and key NIH officials. The PDs/PIs serving as chairs must be from two different HVP awards and will be selected by NIH staff at the first Steering Committee meeting following award issuance. A third co-chair may be selected, depending on the composition and needs of the Steering Committee. The chair positions will rotate amongst the PDs/PIs every two years or as needed. NIH staff will select or approve all Executive Committee appointments.

The HVP Steering Committee will meet monthly (or as needed) by videoconference and at least once a year in-person.

The HVP Steering Committee will:

• Identify scientific and policy issues that need to be addressed at the Consortium level and develop recommendations to NIH Program Officials for addressing such issues.
• Ratify critical Consortium issues through consensus.
• Review progress of the HVP toward meeting the overall Consortium goals.
• Ensure that all HVP members utilize the resources developed by the HVP Virome Characterization Centers, technology/methods development projects, functional studies, and CODCC.
• Coordinate the dissemination of Consortium outputs to the broader research community.
• Ensure that the Consortium takes advantage of existing NIH resources and programs.
• Establish, as necessary, subcommittees to ensure progress of the Virome Characterization Centers, research projects, and the Consortium.

Confidentiality

In order for recipients to fully comply with NIH and Consortium data sharing policies as detailed above, all recipients are expected to agree to a Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement (CDA) containing the following Statement of Confidentiality:

The parties fully understand the potential confidential nature of discussions and presentations and acknowledge that materials provided, and discussions held prior to and during meetings, may reveal confidential information. The parties agree to respect and maintain confidentiality of any non-public information that is received or made aware of through participation in workshops, meetings, and teleconferences associated with NIH Common Fund sponsored grants in the Human Virome Program. Public information is classified as (a) it is within the public domain prior to the time of the disclosure by the Disclosing Party/ies to the Receiving Party/ies or thereafter becomes within the public domain (not due to disclosure by the Receiving Party/ies or any of its representatives in violation of this Agreement); (b) it was, on or before the date of disclosure, in the possession of the Receiving Party/ies; (c) it is acquired by the Receiving Party/ies from a third party not under an obligation of confidentially; or (d) it is independently developed by the Receiving Party/ies afterwards, without reference to the information received from the Disclosing Party/ies. The Parties will maintain this confidentiality for a period of seven years from the disclosure date or until the Confidential Information is classified as public information based on a-d listed herein, whichever is earlier. The Parties will not use such information to benefit themselves, their family, or associates of organizations to which they are connected with or with which they have a financial involvement. Any breach of this agreement may be referred to the HHS Office of General Counsel. For program participation and development, the Parties’ opinions and decisions will be based on their scientific, medical, or specialty expertise and judgment and will not knowingly be related to any other interests (e.g., favoring certain organizations that may provide equipment, products, or services to the studies).

Dispute Resolution

Any disagreements that may arise in scientific or programmatic matters (within the scope of the award) between award recipients and the NIH may be brought to a Dispute Resolution Panel. The Dispute Resolution Panel will be composed of three members: a designee of the Steering Committee chosen without NIH staff voting, one NIH designee, and a third designee with expertise in the relevant topic area who is chosen by the other two. If there is disagreement in panel member selection, the award recipient may select the first member. This special dispute resolution procedure does not alter the recipient's right to appeal an adverse action that is otherwise appealable in accordance with PHS regulation 42 CFR Part 50, Subpart D and DHHS regulation 45 CFR Part 16. 

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.

• Awardees will provide updates at least annually on implementation of the PEDP.

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.

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

Amanda Melillo, PhD
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Telephone: 301-529-7217
Email: amanda.melillo@nih.gov 

Dr. Kumud Singh
Chief
Infectious Diseases and Immunology A (IIDA) Branch
Center for Scientific Review (CSR)
Telephone: 301-827-1002
Email: kumud.singh@nih.gov

Gabriel Hidalgo, MBA
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Telephone: 301-827-4630
Email: gabriel.hidalgo@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.