Notice Number: NOT-OD-17-023
Key Dates
Release Date: December 15, 2016
NOT-OD-16-129
Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Purpose
This Notice informs the biomedical and health services research communities that we have updated our application guide and supplemental instructions.
Based on applicant feedback, we have made minor changes to the layout and style of our instructions, located on the How to Apply Application Guide webpage. We hope that these changes will make it easier for our applicants to find the information they need. We have also incorporated several clarifications to our current Forms-D instructions.
Within the instructions, new instructions are marked with this symbol.
In the web version, use your mouse to hover over the icon to read an explanation of the change. In a PDF version, this symbol will be visible but will not display hover text. For more information, see the explanation in the Significant Changes section of the application instructions and repeated below.
How to Apply Application Guide and Format Page Changes
- Included direct hyperlinks to the Data Tables, Reference Letters, and Biosketch Format Pages under the Format and Write box.
- Updated the Blank Biosketch Format Pages to include the required headings for Sections A-D.
Plain Language Edits to Application Instructions
- Implemented a new format and structure for application instructions. Overall policies did not change; the purpose was to enhance clarity of existing instructions.
- Examples of plain language edits include:
- Rewritten instructions for enhanced clarity and ease of understanding.
- Consistent use of headings to make information easy to find (e.g., Who must complete this section/attachment, Format, Content, For more information ).
- Clear delineations between instructions and supporting information.
Form Instruction Changes
R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Form
- Clarified Biosketch instructions for research, institutional research training, institutional career development, research education, fellowship, and dissertation awards, as well as diversity supplements.
- Clarified that figures, tables, or graphics are not allowed in the Biosketch. Previous instructions noted this only under Section A. Personal Statement. This is not a policy change, but a clarification of instructions.
R&R Budget
- Instructions added for K. Total Costs and Fee field included in preparation for future form use.
- The letter label ( K or L ) for the Budget Justification section will vary depending on the version of the form included in the application package.
PHS 398 Career Development Award Supplemental Form
- Includes the new appendix policy that goes into effect for applications due on or after January 25, 2017. This policy redefines the allowable appendix materials. See the Guide Notice on Allowable Appendix Materials for more information.
PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement
- Instructions have changed so that program income and human embryonic stem cell information are no longer collected at the Overall Component in multi-project applications.
- A system-generated summary of all program income and human embryonic stem cell information that is provided in Other Components will be included in the summaries section of the assembled application image.
PHS 398 Research Plan
- Includes the new appendix policy that goes into effect for applications due on or after January 25, 2017. This policy redefines the allowable appendix materials. See the Guide Notice on Allowable Appendix Materials for more information.
PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan
- Includes the new appendix policy that goes into effect for applications due on or after January 25, 2017. This policy redefines the allowable appendix materials. See the Guide Notice on Allowable Appendix Materials for more information.
PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form
- Includes the new appendix policy that goes into effect for applications due on or after January 25, 2017. This policy redefines the allowable appendix materials. See the Guide Notice on Allowable Appendix Materials for more information.
Changes to the application guide will be called out for your convenience in the Significant Changes section of the application instructions.
Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to:
NIH Grants Information
Email: [email protected] (preferred method of contact)
Telephone: 301-435-0714
and Human Services (HHS)
