EXPIRED
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
NHLBI Program Project Applications (P01)
P01 Research Program Projects
Reissue of PAR-13-316
PAR-16-402
None
93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), issued by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) invites submission of investigator-initiated Program Project (P01) applications. The proposed programs may address scientific areas relevant to the NHLBI mission including the biology and diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lung, and blood; blood resources; and sleep disorders. Each application submitted in response to this FOA must include at least three related research projects that share a common central theme, focus, and/or overall objective.
August 15, 2016
August 25, 2016
60 days prior to the application due date
Standard dates apply, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. All types of non-AIDS applications allowed for this funding opportunity announcement are due on these dates.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.
Standard AIDS dates apply, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. All types of AIDS and AIDS-related applications allowed for this funding opportunity announcement are due on these dates.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.
Standard dates apply
Standard dates apply
September 26, 2017
Not Applicable
NIH’s new Application Submission System & Interface for Submission Tracking (ASSIST) is available for the electronic preparation and submission of multi-project applications through Grants.gov to NIH. Applications to this FOA must be submitted electronically using ASSIST or an institutional system-to-system solution; paper applications will not be accepted. ASSIST replaces the Grants.gov downloadable forms currently used with most NIH opportunities and provides many features to enable electronic multi-project application submission and improve data quality, including: pre-population of organization and PD/PI data, pre-submission validation of many agency business rules and the generation of data summaries in the application image used for review.
It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Multi-Project Instructions for the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, except where instructed to do otherwise (in this FOA or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts) and where instructions in the Application Guide are directly related to the Grants.gov downloadable forms currently used with most NIH opportunities. Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the FOA) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.
Part 1. Overview Information
Part 2. Full Text of the Announcement
Section
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
Section IV. Application and Submission
Information
Section V. Application Review Information
Section VI. Award Administration Information
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Program Project Grant (P01) supports research related to fundamental processes and diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and blood, including transfusion medicine, blood resources, and sleep disorders. This FOA requires a minimum of three interrelated research projects that investigate a complex biomedical theme or research question. The projects may be supported by core units to facilitate economy of effort, space, and equipment. The NHLBI provides support for Program Project Grants in the belief that a collaborative research effort can accelerate the acquisition of knowledge more effectively than a simple aggregate of research projects that have no interaction or thematic integration.
The Institute is particularly interested in encouraging new scientific directions in Program Project Grants. Use of the P01 activity code is viewed as an opportunity to attract scientists who have not traditionally been supported by the NHLBI. However, all projects must be interrelated and have objectives that address a central theme within the scientific mandate of the Institute.
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), issued by the NHLBI, invites Program Project Grants applications that address the mission of NHLBI as outlined in the Purpose section above. Investigators are encouraged to visit the NHLBI website for additional information about the research mission and high-priority research areas of the NHLBI (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/strategicplan/index.htm.)
The purpose of the Program Project is to support integrated, collaborative research programs that have a well-defined, central research focus or objective. Applications must include a minimum of three individual research projects that contribute to the Program objective. Since the NHLBI is interested in supporting new, innovative research through the Program Project, no more than half of the Projects included in a funded Program Project Grant application may include Projects that significantly overlap in time and objectives with currently funded individual research project grants, i.e., individual research project grants that would have to be relinquished if the Program Project application is funded. Each individual research Project should reflect a distinct, separate, scientifically meritorious research effort led by an independent investigator, the Project Leader. In addition, the individual Projects should be clearly interrelated and synergistic so that the research ideas, efforts, and outcomes of the Program as a whole will offer a distinct advantage over pursuing the individual projects separately. As part of this integration, the PD/PI (or each of Multiple PD(s)/PI(s)) must also serve as the Project Leader of one of the Projects.
In addition to individual research Projects and an Administrative Core, applicants may propose one or more shared Scientific Core(s) as necessary to facilitate the proposed research Projects. Each Scientific Core must be utilized by two or more Projects within the Program. Scientific core(s) are also allowed. New cores may be proposed and/or existing cores may be augmented to support the proposed research. Phase III Clinical Trials are not allowed for this FOA.
See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations.
Grant: A support mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity.
New
Renewal
Resubmission
The OER Glossary and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on these application types.
The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.
New (Type 1) applications may request up to $1,515,000 in direct costs for each project year.
No annual increases in noncompeting years may be requested.
Applicants should discuss equipment requests with NHLBI staff early in the planning phase and must receive permission from the Institute to include equipment costs in their budget request. Final decisions on equipment requests will depend on the nature of the justification and the Institute's fiscal situation.
Renewal (Type 2) applications may request up to the direct cost awarded for the last noncompetitive segment. As with new awards, no annual increases in noncompeting years may be requested.
The scope of the proposed program should determine the project period. The maximum program period is 5 years.
NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.
Higher Education Institutions
The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education:
Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education
For-Profit Organizations
Governments
Other
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are
not eligible to apply.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.
Foreign components, as defined in
the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
Applicant Organizations
Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. The NIH Policy on Late Submission of Grant Applications states that failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission.
Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s))
All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account. PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons.If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks.
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.
For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
The PD(s)/PI(s) are expected to be a research scientist of recognized stature in his/her scientific discipline with the demonstrated ability to ensure quality control, administrative oversight, and integration of all components of a Program. The PD(s)/PI(s), Project Leaders, and Core Leaders are expected to be fully established at their institution at the time of submission of the application. Additionally, Project Leaders are expected to have demonstrated the ability to lead an R01, or R01-equivalent, grant.
This FOA does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.
The NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time. This means that the NIH will not accept:
A button to access the online ASSIST system is available in Part 1 of this FOA. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution.
Most applicants will use NIH’s ASSIST system to prepare and submit applications through Grants.gov to NIH. Applications prepared and submitted using applicant systems capable of submitting electronic multi-project applications to Grants.gov will also be accepted.
It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Multi-Project Instructions for the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, including Supplemental Grant Application Instructions except where instructed in this funding opportunity announcement to do otherwise and where instructions in the Application Guide are directly related to the Grants.gov downloadable forms currently used with most NIH opportunities. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.
For information on Application Submission and Receipt, visit Frequently Asked Questions Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications.
Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.
By the date listed in Part 1. Overview Information, prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:
The letter of intent should be sent to:
Program Project Review Office
Division of Extramural Research Activities
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7208
Bethesda, MD 20892-7924 (Express Mail Zip: 20817)
Telephone: 301-435-0303
Email: [email protected]
Component Types Available in ASSIST |
Research Strategy/Program Plan Page Limits |
Overall |
12 |
Admin Core |
12 |
Core (Use for Scientific Cores) |
6 |
Project |
12 |
Additional page limits described in the SF424 Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.
The following section supplements the instructions found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, and should be used for preparing a multi-component application.
The application should consist of the following components:
When preparing your application in ASSIST, use Component Type Overall .
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
Complete entire form.
Note: Human Embryonic Stem Cell lines from other components should be repeated in cell line table in Overall component.
Follow standard instructions.
Enter primary site only.
A summary of Project/Performance Sites in the Overall section of the assembled application image in eRA Commons compiled from data collected in the other components will be generated upon submission.
Include only the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) and any multi-PDs/PIs (if applicable to this FOA) for the entire application..
A summary of Senior/Key Persons followed by their Biographical Sketches in the Overall section of the assembled application image in eRA Commons will be generated upon submission.
The only budget information included in the Overall component is the Estimated Project Funding section of the SF424 (R&R) Cover.
A budget summary in the Overall section of the assembled application image in eRA Commons compiled from detailed budget data collected in the other components will be generated upon submission.
Introduction to Application: For Resubmission applications, an Introduction to Application is required in the Overall Program.
Specific Aims: Describe the specific aims for the Overall Program as a whole. List the goals of the research and summarize expected outcomes.
Research Strategy: Describe the significance, innovation, and approach of the overall application and highlight the Program's conceptual unity by describing the scientific problems to be addressed and laying out a broad research strategy to address them. The Program Project should be viewed as a group of interrelated research Projects, each of which is not only individually meritorious scientifically but also complementary to and interrelated with the other Projects in the research program that contribute to the integrating theme. The theme of a proposed Program Project should be established in the first few sentences of this section. It should include a description of the major research objectives and strategic plan. Explain how the proposed Projects and shared Scientific Cores (if proposed) will be coordinated and work together to address the overall goals and aims of the program more effectively than if the projects were conducted independently.
Describe any prior collaborative arrangements between investigators in the group to explain the genesis of the current application, to predict the anticipated unique advantages that would be gained by the research within the proposed Program Project, to describe how the Projects are interrelated, and to explain how the proposed Program Project would enable the stated objectives of the proposed research to be addressed more efficiently and effectively than a group of individual research project grants.
Summary Report of Progress: For renewal applications only, include a progress report that summarizes the aims and accomplishments of the Program during the prior funding period. See the SF424 instructions for details about what to include in the progress report. If a project from the prior funding period is being discontinued, explain in the overall progress report. A progress report is required for each research Project and Cores in the respective components of the application. The composite summary/progress report must include: a brief summary of major accomplishments that can be attributed to the Program Project and a brief explanation of how they relate to the stated objectives of the Program; a list of changes, if any, in the professional staffing since the last competitive review; a list of research Projects and Cores, in tabular form, that have been discontinued, modified, or completed since the last competitive review, identified by number and title, with a brief explanation of the actions taken; and a list of research Projects and Cores in the current Program Project. Identify each as a "new" or "continuing" component.
Progress Report Publication List: Include a list of publications that arose from this Program during the prior funding period.
Letters of Support: Attach letters of support relevant to the Program as a whole (e.g., letters of institutional support). Letters of support relevant to specific Projects or Cores should be attached in the relevant Project or Core Research Plan forms.
Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
All applications, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, should address a Data Sharing Plan.
Appendix: Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.
Administrative Core
When preparing your application in ASSIST, use Component Type Admin Core.
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
Complete only the following fields:
Enter Human Embryonic Stem Cells in each relevant component.
Human Subjects: Answer only the Are Human Subjects Involved? and 'Is the Project Exempt from Federal regulations? questions.
Vertebrate Animals: Answer only the Are Vertebrate Animals Used? question.
Project Narrative: Do not complete. Note: ASSIST screens will show an asterisk for this attachment indicating it is required. However, eRA systems only enforce this requirement in the Overall component and applications will not receive an error if omitted in other components.
List all performance sites that apply to the specific component.
Note: The Project Performance Site form allows up to 300 sites, prior to using additional attachment for additional entries.
Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package.
While there is no minimum effort required, the Core Lead should dedicate appropriate time and effort commensurate with the complexity of the Core’s function.
Note: The R&R Budget form included in many of the component types allows for up to 100 Senior/Key Persons in section A and 100 Equipment Items in section C prior to using attachments for additional entries. All other SF424 (R&R) instructions apply.
Introduction to Application: For Resubmission applications, an Introduction to Application is required for the Administrative Core.
Specific Aims: Describe the specific aims for the Administrative Core.
Research Strategy: The institution and the PD/PI are responsible for the application and collaborative research activities. Explain the plans for organizational and administrative management of the entire Program, and for coordination and communication within the Program. Explain the methods that will be used for monitoring progress in the Projects and effective use of the shared Scientific Cores.
Chain of Responsibility: Describe in detail, and by diagram, if appropriate, the chain of responsibility for decision making and administration, beginning with the PD/PI and including the leaders of the research projects and cores. Indicate where in the chain of responsibility advisory groups (internal and external consultants) would be used, and describe their function in ensuring quality control in the research efforts.
External and Internal Advisory Boards: Every Program Project should have plans for both an External Advisory Board and an Internal Advisory Board. For an External Advisory Board, describe the expertise and responsibilities of your potential Board members. If submitting a new application, do not contact, recruit, or name potential members of the External Advisory Board. New Program Project Grant applications should not constitute an External Advisory Board prior to or during the review of their application because individuals identified in an application cannot participate in its peer review.
Renewal applications should provide the names of current and former members. The External Advisory Board should consist of two or three named advisers committed to the evaluation of the Program by written documentation. Two or three additional advisers may be added once the progress of the Program and its needs are clearer. The Internal Advisory Board should consist of three to five members outside of the Program but within the applicant institution who are able to assist in frequent, ongoing oversight.
Specific Managerial Responsibilities: Indicate who would be responsible for assisting the PD/PI with day-to-day administrative details, program coordination, planning, and evaluation of the program.
Relation of the Program Project Grant to the Administration of the Applicant Institution: Describe the relationship between the proposed Program Project and other existing research, academic, and administrative units of the applicant institution such as schools, centers, institutions, departments, and central administration.
Designation of Replacement for PD/PI: Describe the procedure for selecting a proposed replacement for the PD/PI, should the need arise. The NHLBI must approve any request to replace the PD/PI.
Administrative Core Progress: A progress report must be provided for the Administrative Core in renewal applications. Provide the beginning and ending dates of the most recent award period. Summarize the specific aims of the Core during this period and the importance of the accomplished activities. Provide justifications for major changes in the Core.
Letters of Support: Attach letters of support relevant to the Administrative Core.
Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
All applications, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, should address a Data Sharing Plan.
Appendix: Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report (Administrative Core)
When conducting clinical research, follow all instructions for completing PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
When preparing your application in ASSIST, use Component Type Core.
If a Scientific Core is included, then it must be utilized by a minimum of two research Projects.
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
SF424 (R&R) Cover (Scientific Core)
Complete only the following fields:
PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement (Scientific Core)
Enter Human Embryonic Stem Cells in each relevant component.
Research & Related Other Project Information (Scientific Core)
Human Subjects: Answer only the Are Human Subjects Involved? and 'Is the Project Exempt from Federal regulations? questions.
Vertebrate Animals: Answer only the Are Vertebrate Animals Used? question.
Project Narrative: Briefly describe how the core helps the program meet the public health goals of NHLBI.
Project /Performance Site Location(s) (Scientific Core)
List all performance sites that apply to the specific component.
Note: The Project Performance Site form allows up to 300 sites, prior to using additional attachment for additional entries.
Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Scientific Core)
Budget (Scientific Core)
Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package.
While there is no minimum effort required, the Core Lead should dedicate appropriate time and effort commensurate with the complexity of the Core’s function.
Note: The R&R Budget form included in many of the component types allows for up to 100 Senior/Key Persons in section A and 100 Equipment Items in section C prior to using attachments for additional entries. All other SF424 (R&R) instructions apply.
PHS 398 Research Plan (Scientific Core)
Introduction to Application: For Resubmission applications, an Introduction to Application is allowed for each component.
Specific Aims: Describe the specific aims for the Scientific Core.
Research Strategy: The application should list the Projects it will serve and services it will provide. Scientific Cores must accelerate the pace of discovery via essential support for the aims of proposed research Projects. Hypothesis-driven aims are not required for Scientific Cores.
Describe the function of the Scientific Core as a resource to the Program Project. Describe the facilities, techniques, and skills the Core will provide and the role of the Core Leader and each key participant. State the percentage of total dollars required to support each Project that will use each Scientific Core. Explain why the inclusion of this Scientific Core is essential to two or more of the individual research Projects and to the entire Program.
Letters of Support: Attach letters of support relevant to the Scientific Core.
Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
All applications, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, should address a Data Sharing Plan.
Appendix: Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report (Scientific Core)
When conducting clinical research, follow all instructions for completing PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
Project
When preparing your application in ASSIST, use Component Type Project.
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
SF424 (R&R) Cover (Project)
Complete only the following fields:
PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement (Project)
Enter Human Embryonic Stem Cells in each relevant component.
Research & Related Other Project Information (Project)
Human Subjects: Answer only the Are Human Subjects Involved? and 'Is the Project Exempt from Federal regulations? questions.
Vertebrate Animals: Answer only the Are Vertebrate Animals Used? question.
Project Narrative: Briefly describe how the project meets the public health goals of the NHLBI.
Project/Performance Site Location(s) (Project)
List all performance sites that apply to the specific component.
Note: The Project Performance Site form allows up to 300 sites, prior to using additional attachment for additional entries.
Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Project)
Budget (Project)
Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package.
The Project Lead must devote a minimum of 2.40 calendar months (20% effort) to the Project. If the Project Lead is also a PD/PI for the overall Program, they must devote a minimum of 5% effort to one other component (e.g., another Project or a Core) for a total minimum of 3.0 calendar months (25% effort).
Note: The R&R Budget form included in many of the component types allows for up to 100 Senior/Key Persons in section A and 100 Equipment Items in section C prior to using attachments for additional entries. All other SF424 (R&R) instructions apply.
PHS 398 Research Plan (Project)
Introduction to Application: For Resubmission applications, an Introduction to Application is allowed for each component.
Specific Aims: Describe the specific aims for each Project.
Research Strategy: In addition to the standard scientific description, the Research Strategy should also describe the interactions among the Project and other Projects and Core(s) within the Program Project.
Progress Report Publication List:: Include a list of publications that arose from this Project, during the prior funding period.
Letters of Support: Attach letters of support relevant to the Project.
Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
All applications, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, should address a Data Sharing Plan.
Appendix: Do not use the Appendix to circumvent page limits. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report (Project)
When conducting clinical research, follow all instructions for completing PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
See Part 1. Section III.1 for information regarding the requirement for obtaining a unique entity identifier and for completing and maintaining active registrations in System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (if applicable), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov.
Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates and times. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission. When a submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.
Organizations must submit applications to Grants.gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies) using ASSIST or other electronic submission systems. Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH’s electronic system for grants administration. NIH and Grants.gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission. Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants.gov on or before the application due date and time. If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late. Applications that miss the due date and time are subjected to the NIH Policy on Late Application Submission.
Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.
Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.
All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.
For information on how your application will be automatically assembled for review and funding consideration after submission go to: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/ElectronicReceipt/files/Electronic_Multi-project_Application_Image_Assembly.pdf.
Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.
For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit Applying Electronically. If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the Guidelines for Applicants Experiencing System Issues. For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII.
Important reminders:
All PD(s)/PI(s) and component Project Leads must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile Component of the SF424(R&R) Application Package. Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.
The applicant organization must ensure that the DUNS number it provides on the application is the same number used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management (SAM). Additional information may be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
See more tips for avoiding common errors.
Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions by the Center for Scientific Review, NIH. Applications that are incomplete or non-compliant will not be reviewed.
Applicants are required to follow our Post Submission Application Materials policy.
Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. As part of the NIH mission, all applications submitted to the NIH in support of biomedical and behavioral research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.
All Program Project Grant applications are reviewed through a two-step process by a Tailored Review Committee and by the Heart, Lung, and Blood Program Project Review Committee (HLBP).
The Tailored Review Committee is composed of scientific peers convened to review a Program Project Grant application in their area(s) of expertise. The Tailored Review Committee will:
The HLBP considers the review reports from the Tailored Review Committee, makes recommendations, and assigns an overall impact score to each application. It may not change an individual Project score assigned by the Tailored Review Committee, but it is asked to provide written comments to be included in its overall report if it has any disagreement with a Project score.
Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the Program to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the Program proposed).
Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit, and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a Program that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.
Does the Program address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field? Is there a strong scientific premise for the project? If the aims of the Program are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice be improved? How will successful completion of the aims change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field?
Are the PD(s)/PI(s), collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the Program? If Early Stage Investigators or New Investigators, or in the early stages of independent careers, do they have appropriate experience and training? If established, have they demonstrated an ongoing record of accomplishments that have advanced their field(s)? If the project is collaborative or multi-PD/PI , do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the program?
Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions? Are the concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions novel to one field of research or novel in a broad sense? Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions proposed?
Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the Program? Have the investigators presented strategies to ensure a robust and unbiased approach, as appropriate for the work proposed? Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success presented? If the program is in the early stages of development, will the strategy establish feasibility and will particularly risky aspects be managed? Have the investigators presented adequate plans to address relevant biological variables, such as sex, for studies in vertebrate animals or human subjects?
If the Program involves human subjects and/or NIH-defined clinical research, are the plans to address 1) the protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion (or exclusion) of individuals on the basis of sex/gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as the inclusion or exclusion of children, justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed?
Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Are the institutional support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigators adequate for the program proposed? Will the program benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements?
As applicable for the Program proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items.
Program Project Synergy
Is the scientific merit of each research Project and Core and the relevance to the Program as a whole adequately described? Are the Overall Program goals and scientific questions appropriate to a Program Project? Are the scientific gains and impact on the field achieved by combining the component projects into a multi-project program beyond the gains achievable if each project were pursued independently? Is the Program cohesive with the research Projects and Cores fitting into a common theme? Does the PD/PI have sufficient time, effort, leadership ability, and scientific talent to develop a Program of integrated research Projects with a well-defined central research focus? For renewal applications, have the Program's accomplishments made a major impact on the field or successfully achieved their original goals? Are the administrative and organizational structures sound?
Review Criteria for Individual Research Projects Within the Program
Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit of each proposed research project, and give a separate numerical (1 to 9) score for each criterion, as well as an overall impact score for the project. A project does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.
Scored Review Criteria- Project
Reviewers will consider each of the five review criteria below in the determination of scientific and technical merit, and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.
Significance
Does the Project address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field? Is there a strong scientific premise for the project? If the aims of the Project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice be improved? How will successful completion of the aims change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field?
Investigator(s)
Are the Lead(s), collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the Project? If Early Stage Investigators or New Investigators, or in the early stages of independent careers, do they have appropriate experience and training? If established, have they demonstrated an ongoing record of accomplishments that have advanced their field(s)? If the project is collaborative, do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the Project?
Innovation
Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions? Are the concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions novel to one field of research or novel in a broad sense? Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions proposed?
Approach
Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the Project? Have the investigators presented strategies to ensure a robust and unbiased approach, as appropriate for the work proposed? Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success presented? If the project is in the early stages of development, will the strategy establish feasibility and will particularly risky aspects be managed? Have the investigators presented adequate plans to address relevant biological variables, such as sex, for studies in vertebrate animals or human subjects?
If the Project involves human subjects and/or NIH-defined clinical research, are the plans to address 1) the protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion (or exclusion) of individuals on the basis of sex/gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as the inclusion or exclusion of children, justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed?
Environment
Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Are the institutional support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigators adequate for the project proposed? Will the project benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements?
Review Criteria for Core Units Within the Program
Each Core will be evaluated as "Recommended" or "Not Recommended" based on whether it is essential for the proposed research and has the capability to fulfill the proposed function. Reviewers will evaluate the number of Projects serviced by the Core unit (the Core must service two or more Projects); strengths and weaknesses of the proposed approaches, resources, and interactions; whether the investigators are qualified for their role(s) in the Cores and have dedicated appropriate time and effort commensurate with the complexity of its functions; and whether the proposed budget for the Cores is appropriate.
Administrative Core
Does the application clearly describe and justify the proposed Administrative Core operational plan and organizational structure? Is the proposed Administrative Core adequate to accomplish the objectives of the Overall Program? How well does it fit into the central focus of the Overall Program? Do the Administrative Core Leader’s administrative, management, and leadership capabilities adequately provide for: internal quality control of on-going research, management of day-to-day program activities, management of contractual agreements, fair, effective communication and cooperation among Program leaders and/or Program investigators, resolution of disputes, development of scientific meetings and allocation of funds?
Scientific Core(s)
Is the Scientific Core sufficiently justified? Does it support at least two research Projects? Is the Core adequately connected to the central focus of the Overall Program? Are the facilities or services provided by the Core (including procedures, techniques, and quality control) high quality? Will the services be used effectively? Are the Scientific Core leader and key personnel well qualified and is there an adequate commitment of time?
As applicable for the application proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items.
For research that involves human subjects but does not involve one of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate the justification for involvement of human subjects and the proposed protections from research risk relating to their participation according to the following five review criteria: 1) risk to subjects, 2) adequacy of protection against risks, 3) potential benefits to the subjects and others, 4) importance of the knowledge to be gained, and 5) data and safety monitoring for clinical trials.
For research that involves human subjects and meets the criteria for one or more of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate: 1) the justification for the exemption, 2) human subjects involvement and characteristics, and 3) sources of materials. For additional information on review of the Human Subjects section, please refer to the Guidelines for the Review of Human Subjects.
When the proposed project involves human subjects and/or NIH-defined clinical research, the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for the inclusion (or exclusion) of individuals on the basis of sex/gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as the inclusion (or exclusion) of children to determine if it is justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed. For additional information on review of the Inclusion section, please refer to the Guidelines for the Review of Inclusion in Clinical Research.
The committee will evaluate the involvement of live vertebrate animals as part of the scientific assessment according to the following criteria: (1) description of proposed procedures involving animals, including species, strains, ages, sex, and total number to be used; (2) justifications for the use of animals versus alternative models and for the appropriateness of the species proposed; (3) interventions to minimize discomfort, distress, pain and injury; and (4) justification for euthanasia method if NOT consistent with the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals. Reviewers will assess the use of chimpanzees as they would any other application proposing the use of vertebrate animals. For additional information on review of the Vertebrate Animals section, please refer to the Worksheet for Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section.
Reviewers will assess whether materials or procedures proposed are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, and if needed, determine whether adequate protection is proposed.
For Resubmissions, the committee will evaluate the application as now presented, taking into consideration the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group and changes made to the project.
For renewal applications, the progress should be evaluated for accomplishment of objectives for each of the prior Projects, Cores, and the Overall Program. Have investigators clearly and concisely described, for each Project, Core, and Overall Program the specific aims, whether they were achieved, and what peer-reviewed articles were published that present the data related to those specific aims? Were the data published in high-impact journals? Were the quality and quantity of publications resulting from the prior grant cycle appropriate for the research that was proposed?
Not Applicable
As applicable for the application proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score.
Not Applicable
Reviewers will assess the information provided in this section of the application, including 1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in the proposed research, 2) the registration status of all entities where Select Agent(s) will be used, 3) the procedures that will be used to monitor possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and 4) plans for appropriate biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).
Reviewers will comment on whether the following Resource Sharing Plans, or the rationale for not sharing the following types of resources, are reasonable: 1) Data Sharing Plan; 2) Sharing Model Organisms; and 3) Genomic Data Sharing Plan .
For projects involving key biological and/or chemical resources, reviewers will comment on the brief plans proposed for identifying and ensuring the validity of those resources.
Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.
Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s), convened by NHLBI in accordance with NIH peer review policy and procedures, using the stated review criteria. Assignment to a Scientific Review Group will be shown in the eRA Commons.
As part of the scientific peer review, all applications:
Applications will be assigned on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications. Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the NHLBI Advisory Council. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the eRA Commons. Refer to Part 1 for dates for peer review, advisory council review, and earliest start date.
Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA signed by the grants management officer is the authorizing document and will be sent via email to the grantee’s business official.
Awardees must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions. Selection of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs.
Any application awarded in response to this FOA will be subject to terms and conditions found on the Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants website. This includes any recent legislation and policy applicable to awards that is highlighted on this website.
All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the NoA. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities. More information is provided at Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants.
Recipients of federal financial assistance (FFA) from HHS must administer their programs in compliance with federal civil rights law. This means that recipients of HHS funds must ensure equal access to their programs without regard to a person’s race, color, national origin, disability, age and, in some circumstances, sex and religion. This includes ensuring your programs are accessible to persons with limited English proficiency. HHS recognizes that research projects are often limited in scope for many reasons that are nondiscriminatory, such as the principal investigator’s scientific interest, funding limitations, recruitment requirements, and other considerations. Thus, criteria in research protocols that target or exclude certain populations are warranted where nondiscriminatory justifications establish that such criteria are appropriate with respect to the health or safety of the subjects, the scientific study design, or the purpose of the research.
In accordance with the statutory provisions contained in Section 872 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417), NIH awards will be subject to the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) requirements. FAPIIS requires Federal award making officials to review and consider information about an applicant in the designated integrity and performance system (currently FAPIIS) prior to making an award. An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through FAPIIS and comment on any information about itself that a Federal agency previously entered and is currently in FAPIIS. The Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to other information in FAPIIS, in making a judgement about the applicant s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 45 CFR Part 75.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants. This provision will apply to all NIH grants and cooperative agreements except fellowships.
For additional guidance regarding how the provisions apply to NIH grant programs, please contact the Scientific/Research Contact that is identified in Section VII under Agency Contacts of this FOA. HHS provides general guidance to recipients of FFA on meeting their legal obligation to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to their programs by persons with limited English proficiency. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/resources/laws/revisedlep.html. The HHS Office for Civil Rights also provides guidance on complying with civil rights laws enforced by HHS. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/section1557/index.html; and http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/index.html. Recipients of FFA also have specific legal obligations for serving qualified individuals with disabilities. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/disability/index.html. Please contact the HHS Office for Civil Rights for more information about obligations and prohibitions under federal civil rights laws at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/about/rgn-hqaddresses.html or call 1-800-368-1019 or TDD 1-800-537-7697. Also note it is an HHS Departmental goal to ensure access to quality, culturally competent care, including long-term services and supports, for vulnerable populations. For further guidance on providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services, recipients should review the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care at http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlid=53.
Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award
Not Applicable
When multiple years are involved, awardees will be required to submit the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) annually and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
A final progress report, invention statement, and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required for closeout of an award, as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act), includes a requirement for awardees of Federal grants to report information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation under Federal assistance awards issued in FY2011 or later. All awardees of applicable NIH grants and cooperative agreements are required to report to the Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) available at www.fsrs.gov on all subawards over $25,000. See the NIH Grants Policy Statement for additional information on this reporting requirement.
In accordance with the regulatory requirements provided at 45 CFR 75.113 and Appendix XII to 45 CFR Part 75, recipients that have currently active Federal grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from all Federal awarding agencies with a cumulative total value greater than $10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of a Federal award, must report and maintain the currency of information reported in the System for Award Management (SAM) about civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings in connection with the award or performance of a Federal award that reached final disposition within the most recent five-year period. The recipient must also make semiannual disclosures regarding such proceedings. Proceedings information will be made publicly available in the designated integrity and performance system (currently FAPIIS). This is a statutory requirement under section 872 of Public Law 110-417, as amended (41 U.S.C. 2313). As required by section 3010 of Public Law 111-212, all information posted in the designated integrity and performance system on or after April 15, 2011, except past performance reviews required for Federal procurement contracts, will be publicly available. Full reporting requirements and procedures are found in Appendix XII to 45 CFR Part 75 Award Term and Conditions for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.
We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity
and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.
eRA Service Desk (Questions regarding ASSIST, eRA Commons
registration, submitting and tracking an application, documenting system
problems that threaten submission by the due date, post submission issues)
Finding Help Online: https://grants.nih.gov/support/ (preferred method of contact)
Telephone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)
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regarding Grants.gov registration and submission, downloading forms and
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Contact Center Telephone: 800-518-4726
Email: [email protected]
GrantsInfo (Questions regarding application instructions and
process, finding NIH grant resources)
Email: [email protected] (preferred method of contact)
Telephone: 301-945-7573
Division
of Cardiovascular Sciences
David Goff, M.D.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Telephone: 301-435-0422
Email: [email protected]
Division
of Lung Diseases
James Kiley, Ph.D.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Telephone: 301-435-0233
Email: [email protected]
Division
of Blood Diseases and Resources
W. Keith Hoots, M.D.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Telephone: 301-435-0080
Email: [email protected]
Center for Translational
Research and Implementation Science
Emmanuel Peprah, Ph.D.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Telephone: 301-496-3620
Email: [email protected]
Jeffrey Hurst, Ph.D.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Telephone: 301-435-0303
Email: [email protected]
Ryan Lombardi
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Telephone: 301-435-0166
Email: [email protected]
Recently issued trans-NIH policy notices may affect your application submission. A full list of policy notices published by NIH is provided in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 75.