Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:
Release Date: January 6, 2012
NOT-OD-12-047: This Notice is to inform potential applicants of changes in the participation of NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) in PA-10-122.
NOT-OD-12-027:
Notice of the NIH’s Creation of the National Center for Advancing Translational
Sciences and Anticipated Implementation Plan
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
This Notice is to inform the NIH community of changes to NIH administrative grant and application processes resulting from the dissolution of the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR).
Background
On December 23, 2011 the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) was abolished by Public Law 112-74. All existing awards and pending applications are being transferred to other Institutes and Centers (ICs) within NIH including the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. An initial listing of NCRR programs being transferred to other ICs can be found at http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/.
Implementation
The dissolution of NCRR will require the administration of existing applications, grants, and cooperative agreements to move to new ICs as appropriate to the science. Over the next few weeks Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs) and institutional officials will receive multiple e-mails from NIH explaining where their NCRR applications and awards will be administered and identifying the appropriate NIH contact person for addressing questions. Some of these communications will be system-generated e-mails sent as changes are made in the eRA Commons regarding the transfer.
The changes will be made in the following order:
These transfers will not change any of the terms and conditions of the current awards or the level of funding anticipated for future non-competing awards (pending the availability of funds). However, PDs/PIs and institutions should be aware of the following changes:
Submitted Applications Currently Awaiting Peer Review:
Applications scheduled for peer review by a Scientific Review Group (SRG) in the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) will keep their current Scientific Review Group assignments and will be sent to the Advisory Council of the new administering IC for second-level review. Applications designated for peer review in NCRR will be reviewed by the currently assigned SRG and then transferred to the new administering IC’s Advisory Council for second-level review. For both groups, all funding decisions and potential awards will be made by the new administering IC. More on the NIH two-level review process can be found at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/peer_review_process.htm.
Applications Submitted in January 2012 and Beyond:
NIH is transitioning all Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) NCRR participated in to other ICs that will be responsible for considering applications and issuing awards. During the transition NIH will continue to accept applications submitted to current FOAs issued by NCRR. No applications submitted for receipt dates January 1, 2012 and beyond (this includes new, renewal, resubmission, and revision) will be assigned to NCRR. The Division of Receipt and Referral (DRR) in CSR will make primary and secondary application assignments to the appropriate NIH IC based on the science proposed. Applicants are encouraged to make suggestions for these assignments in their application cover letter but the final decision will be made by DRR.
Applications that have Completed the Two-Level Peer Review Process:
These applications will be transferred to the new administering IC for consideration of funding and potential award. There will be no additional review required though ICs have the option of sending the application to their Advisory Council for review as part of their funding decision process. Initial submission (A0) applications reviewed by Advisory Councils in May, 2009 and beyond will be transferred to the new administering IC to allow a 37-month resubmission period (in accordance with NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-10-140). Resubmission (A1) applications reviewed by Advisory Councils in May, 2010 and after also will be transferred.
Current Awards with Future Non-competing Years:
These awardees should submit progress reports as required under their current award. The new non-competing Notice of Award (NOA) will be a "Type 8" issued by the new administering IC reflecting this change as well as a new institute code and grant number (e.g., 8-R01-GM987654-02). The IC reassignment will not alter anticipated levels of funding or the terms and conditions of the award.
Please note that non-competing continuation awards with budget periods ending in January/February 2012 may be delayed approximately 4-6 weeks as NIH implements the transition. However, grantees retain the ability to incur pre-award costs that are necessary to conduct the project and would be allowable under the grant without prior approval.
Current Awards with no Future Non-competing Years:
These grants will not receive a new NOA because no new funding is anticipated. Awardees will receive contact information for NIH staff responsible for managing the continued operation and eventual closeout of these awards.
Future Resubmission and Renewal Applications to Previous NCRR Applications and Awards:
For activity codes and FOAs that allow Renewal (Type 2) applications to previously-funded NCRR awards, the application will be assigned to another appropriate NIH IC based on the science proposed. Applicants are encouraged to make suggestions for these assignments in their application cover letter but the final decision will be made by DRR. Resubmission and renewal applications should include the IC and serial number of the most recent award/application on the SF424 (R&R) Cover Page.
Assignments of new contact people for transferring applications and awards will be completed over the next few weeks, with notifications sent in upcoming emails from the eRA Commons. As with all NIH awards, the most up-to-date information on each award/application and its NIH contact points in the eRA Commons.
Please direct all other inquiries to: NCRRtransition@mail.nih.gov