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Submitting an Application

A listing of application guide instructions and format pages used to apply for grants.

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Application Forms

Use the application forms associated with the funding opportunity announcement and the application guide instructions to apply for new, renewal, revision, and resubmission applications.

Form Name Form Number Description How to Access Instructions Additional Information Updated Date
Grant Application - Standard Form 424 (Research & Related) SF 424 (R&R) Use to apply for grants and cooperative agreements.

Forms must be completed and submitted using ASSIST, Workspace, or institutional system-to-system solution. See Submission Options.

The Application and Submission Information section (Section IV) of each funding opportunity announcement identifies the customized set of forms (referred to as an “application package”) required for that opportunity. Each of the approved submission options automatically present the correct application package based on opportunity number (e.g., PA-FY-123).

For reference only – PDF copies of forms found in electronic application packages.
* Download form and open with your local PDF viewer.  These fillable form PDFs (created and maintained by Grants.gov) are not compatible with the PDF viewers of all browsers.

See How to Apply – Application Guide for general instructions. Additional instructions may be found in the funding opportunity.

March 2020
Public Health Service Grant Application PHS 398 Use only if specifically requested by NIH and only with “paper” submissions using the PHS 398.
Note: All NIH competing grant applications require electronic submission using the SF 424 (R&R) forms. 		PHS 398 Forms PHS 398 Instructions March 2020


Format Pages

Use these format pages as templates for preparing specific attachments included in applications and progress reports.

Form Name Form Number Description How to Access Instructions Additional Information Updated Date
Additional Senior/Key Person Profile Format

Use for applications requiring over 100 senior/key people.

Format: Additional Senior/Key Person Format Follow the instructions provided for the SF424 (R&R) Senior/Key Person Profile Expanded form in the Form Instructions on How to Apply – Application Guide. March 2020
Data Tables

Use data tables with Institutional Research Training grant applications

Go to Data Tables webpage to download blank data tables.

Beginning with RPPRs due on or after October 1, 2019 (FY 2020), recipients must create the required training data tables for submission with NIH and AHRQ T15, T32, T90/R90, and TL1 progress reports via the xTRACT system (NOT-OD-19-108). 		Instructions and samples are available on the Data Tables webpage for various data table scenarios.
  • Instructions and samples are available on the Data Tables webpage for various data table scenarios.
  • xTract Help & Tutorials
March 2020
Biographical Sketch Format Page (non-fellowship) - Due Dates on/before January 24, 2022

Prepare biographical sketches for applications and progress reports for non-fellowship applications and awards.

Non-fellowship Biosketch (blank format page, Word) Instructions for Biographical Sketch Try SciENcv to help you develop your biosketch and automatically format it according to NIH requirements. March 2020
Other Support Format Page (New and Renewal Applications) Information on Other Support is used for grant awards Unless otherwise stated in the funding opportunity announcement, Other Support information is requested as part of the Just-in-Time process in the post-submission, pre-award cycle.

Other Support format page - competing application (blank format page, Word)
  		See NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 2.5.1 Just-in-Time Procedures March 2020
Biographical Sketch Format Page (fellowship) - Due Dates on/before January 24, 2022 Prepare biographical sketches for applications and progress reports  for fellowship applications and awards. Fellowship Biosketch (blank format page, Word)

Instructions for Biographical Sketch

Try SciENcv to help you develop your biosketch and automatically format it according to NIH requirements. March 2020
Other Support Format Page (Progress Reports) Information on Other Support is used for grant awards and progress reports. Other Support format page - progress reports (blank, Word)
Applicants must follow latest guidance. 		See NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 2.5.1: Just-in-Time Procedures March 2020
Biographical Sketch Format Page (non-fellowship) - Due Dates on/after January 25, 2022 Prepare biographical sketches for applications and progress reports for all applications and awards, except fellowships. Non-fellowship Biosketch (blank format page, Word) Instructions for Biographical Sketch
These instructions will be incorporated into the NIH Application Form Instructions with the next update by FY 2022. 		  Try SciENcv to help you develop your biosketch and automatically format it according to NIH requirements. Reflects removal of Section D per NOT-OD-21-073 first guide notice. March 2021
Other Support Format Page Information on Other Support is used for grant awards and progress reports.  
Unless otherwise stated in the funding opportunity announcement, Other Support information is requested as part of the Just-in-Time process in the post-submission, pre-award cycle.

Other Support format page (blank format page, Word)
NIH is finalizing the SciENcv template for Other Support and anticipates that the template will be available beginning in FY 2022. 		See NIH Other Support Instructions March 2021
Instructions for Submission of a Reference Letter Some types of programs, such as fellowships and some career development awards, require the submission of reference letters by referees. Referees must submit these letters by the application deadline in order to be considered as part of the application. References letters are submitted directly to eRA Commons at Submit Reference Letter. Referees DO NOT need need to login to eRA Commons to submit their letters. Instructions: Fellowship Applicant Referees (Word)​ 
Instructions: Career Development Applicant Referees (Word)

Referees must have the PI’s (fellow/candidate’s) eRA Commons user name, first and last name as they apparat on the PI’s eRA Commons account, and the funding opportunity number to which they are applying.  		November 2016
Biographical Sketch Format Page (fellowship) - Due Dates on/after January 25, 2022 Prepare biographical sketches for applications and progress reports  for fellowship applications and awards. Fellowship Biosketch (blank format page, Word) Instructions for Biographical Sketch
These instructions will be incorporated into the NIH Application Form Instructions with the next update by FY 2022. 		Try SciENcv to help you develop your biosketch and automatically format it according to NIH requirements. March 2021
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