Advance Notice: NIH Anticipates Transition to New Research Training Data Table Formats in FY 2016

Notice Number: NOT-OD-15-112

Key Dates
Release Date: June 29, 2015

Related Announcements
NOT-OD-16-007
NOT-OD-16-005
NOT-OD-16-004
NOT-OD-18-133
NOT-OD-19-108

Issued by
National Institutes of Health (
NIH)

Purpose

This Notice serves to announce that NIH anticipates adopting new research training data table formats in FY 2016 for use with institutional training grant applications and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs). Where specified in the SF424 Application Guide or Funding Opportunity Announcement for a program, these tables may also be used in institutional career development and research education applications and RPPRs.

Background

In keeping with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee to the Director’s Biomedical Workforce Working Group, NIH is developing an electronic system, xTRACT, for creating research training data tables and storing the information reported in those tables. In conjunction with the creation of that electronic system, and to implement related recommendations from the Biomedical Workforce Working Group, NIH expects to make a number of changes in its existing training data tables, including:

  • Reducing the maximum number of tables from 12 to 8
  • Minimizing the reporting of individual-level information
  • Extending the tracking of trainee outcomes from 10 to 15 years

To the extent possible, existing NIH data will be used to pre-populate the xTRACT system, including trainee names and selected characteristics, institutions, grant numbers, and subsequent NIH awards.

Anticipated Implementation

NIH anticipates releasing its new training table formats by the end of September 2015, for inclusion in RPPRs submitted December 1, 2015, or later and applications submitted for the May 25, 2016, due date and after. At the same time, NIH expects to make the xTRACT system available as an option for creating data tables for T32, TL1, T90/R90, and T15 RPPRs and applications. The xTRACT system is being piloted for creating training data tables, and will not be required for FY 2016. Fillable table formats (i.e., in MS Word) for the new tables will be available for applicants that choose to use them instead of the xTRACT system.

Inquiries

For general inquiries concerning this Notice, contact: NIHTrain@mail.nih.gov