Notice Number: NOT-OD-16-007

Key Dates
Release Date: October 13, 2015

Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Purpose

This Notice serves to announce the availability of new research training data tables for use with FY 2016 institutional training grant applications and research performance progress reports (RPPRs). Table formats, instructions, and a completed set of tables with sample data may be found on the NIH website at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/datatables.htm.

Where specified in the Funding Opportunity Announcement for a program, these tables may also be used in institutional career development and research education applications and RPPRs.

Background and Related Information

In keeping with the recommendations of NIH's Advisory Committee to the Director's Working Group on the Biomedical Research Workforce, we plan to introduce an electronic system, xTRACT, for creating research training data tables and storing the information reported in those tables. xTRACT is expected to be available for users to access via the eRA Commons beginning October 16, 2015.

In conjunction with the development of xTRACT, and to implement related recommendations from the Working Group, we have revised existing research training data tables to:

• Reduce the number of tables from 12 to 8
• Minimize the reporting of individual-level information
• Extend the tracking of trainee outcomes from 10 to 15 years

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

Implementation

For RPPRs due prior to December 1, 2015, and applications submitted for due dates prior to May 25, 2016, applicants are advised to continue to use previously issued training data table formats.

New training data table formats must be used for RPPRs due December 1, 2015, and after and applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2016. Applicants may create tables for their applications and RPPRs either by using fillable tables in MS Word or via the xTRACT system.

The xTRACT system is being piloted as an option for creating data tables for T32, TL1, T90/R90, and T15 applications and RPPRs, and will not be required for FY 2016. Applicants for other predoctoral, postdoctoral, and career-level training, education, and career development activities that use training data tables (e.g., T35, R25, K12/KL2 awards) can also use xTRACT on a pilot basis, however, they may wish to wait for future editions of the system, which will include features tailored to their specific types of awards. Programs targeted to undergraduates (e.g., T34 awards) should not use the xTRACT system at all at this time, but should instead use the new, fillable tables designed for undergraduate programs available on the NIH website.

For institutions that wish to submit training-related data to the xTRACT system in batches, upload features are planned and are expected to be introduced gradually, beginning in late January 2016.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

NIHTrain@mail.nih.gov