Part 1. Overview Information

Key Dates

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide, except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts).

Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the NOFO) 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.

IMPORTANT: Per NOT-OD-24-086 updated application forms (FORMS-I) will be used for this opportunity. The updated forms are not yet available and will be posted 30 calendar days or more prior to the first application due date. Once posted, you will be able to access the forms using one of the following submission options:

1. NIH ASSIST
2. An institutional system-to-system (S2S) solution
3. Grants.gov Workspace

Part 2. Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

Background

The American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations have long experienced health disparities when compared with other Americans. Multiple factors have contributed to these health disparities, including limited access to health care, the distrust of health-related research due to trauma inflicted on the AI/AN communities by past unethical and inappropriate research practices, and limited opportunities for AI/AN Tribes to lead health research.

The Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program was launched in 2000 to help reduce the distrust of health research by the AI/AN communities, promote AI/AN health research prioritized and led by eligible AI/AN Tribal Entities, and ultimately improve AI/AN health. To enhance the program’s efficacy in meeting its goals, NIGMS completed a comprehensive NARCH program evaluation culminating in a formal Tribal Consultation. With consideration to the evaluation recommendations and the Tribal Consultation, the Tribal Undergraduate to Graduate Research Training and Leadership Experiences (TURTLE) program was developed to address AI/AN health equity, in part, by contributing to the development of a workforce of individuals who will lead and conduct research focused on AI/AN health.

The TURTLE program will support the research training of undergraduates (T34) and predoctoral students (T32) at degree-granting institutions across the United States and Territories through training grants administered by eligible  Tribal Entities .

Eligible  Tribal Entities are not well represented in the funded NIGMS Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity institutional training programs (dashboard accessed February 2024), potentially because the funds required for the infrastructure and personnel to administer large-scale training awards have not been available. NIGMS recognizes the need for a phased award with a capacity building period preceding the training component.

This NOFO will support a phased award (UE5/T32) to fund: 

• A development phase to hire personnel and develop educational activities and training grant program and administrative infrastructure (UE5). 
• A National Research Service Award (NRSA) predoctoral research training program phase to support trainees interested in AI/AN health research (T32). 

A companion NOFO (PAR-24-236) is available for a phased award for undergraduate research training (UE5/T34). NIGMS intends for the TURTLE program to provide sustained support of effective undergraduate (T34) and graduate (T32) research training programs. When nearing the end of the T32 phase of the award, NIGMS intends to provide the opportunity to eligible Tribal Entities to apply to a renewable TURTLE institutional training program to sustain the training of future scientists interested in AI/AN health research.

Program Considerations

The phased award described in this NOFO is intended to develop capacity at eligible Tribal Entities and provide funds for institutional NRSA training programs. As with all NRSA grants, the funding in the second (T32) phase will provide trainee stipends to defray living expenses, tuition remission, travel, as well as training-related expenses to support the program. Trainees are expected to be supported by the grant for 1-4 years of their doctoral training to receive the full benefits of the training program.

The eligible Tribal Entities administering the TURTLE programs will be responsible for identifying and appointing trainees. The TURTLE T32 program should recruit full-time Ph.D. students. Recruitment of potential trainees from a broad range of educational organizations across the United States and territories is encouraged and supported trainees do not all need to be at the same institution. The eligible Tribal Entities are not required to confer doctoral degrees but are expected to administer the trainee financial support, and provide oversight and additional research training activities, for example, mentoring and skills development for students earning doctoral degrees.

A primary goal of this program is the development of a pool of scientists who earn biomedical Ph.D. degrees and have the technical, operational, and professional skills to pursue careers in AI/AN health research. Examples include:

• Technical (appropriate methods, technologies, and quantitative/computational approaches).
• Operational (independent knowledge acquisition, rigorous experimental design, interpretation of data, and conducting research in the safest manner possible).
• Professional (management, leadership, communication, and teamwork).

Funds will be awarded for up to seven years to support the two phases:

• Two years of support for the development phase (UE5) to hire personnel and to develop program management and grants administration capacity for training grants, educational activities, as well as trainee and mentor recruitment strategies.
• Five years of support for the research training of predoctoral trainees (T32) to identify and appoint trainees to the grant; dispense stipends, tuition remission payments and training-related expenses; provide training, mentoring and networking activities; track trainee progress; and report outcomes.

The first phase (UE5) will be a cooperative agreement, where NIH staff work closely with the Tribal Entities to support the development phase (refer to Section VI for details). The conversion from the first phase (UE5) to the second phase (T32) will occur after an NIH administrative review of the progress achieved during the first phase and the entity's preparedness for the training grant phase (T32) of the award. 

Progress will be assessed based on: 

• Adequate program personnel with the appropriate expertise. This may require hiring or training of staff during the development phase.
• Ability to recruit a pool of potential trainees in alignment with the goals of the TURTLE program. For example, plans may include the establishment of any needed partnerships with Ph.D. granting organizations providing predoctoral research training to future researchers interested in careers in AI/AN health research.
• Plans for research training, career development, and networking activities as well as the personnel and technologies to deliver these activities.
• Mentor and role model recruitment, training, and monitoring procedures.
• The infrastructure to administer the grant and the trainee stipends, tuition remission and training-related expenses.
• The capacity to track and report on trainee progress and outcomes.

See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations.

Section II. Award Information

Other Award Budget Information

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made from this NOFO.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

The applicant organization must meet one of the following criteria:

• A federally recognized AI/AN Tribe, as defined under 25 U.S.C. 1603(14); or
• A Tribal college or university, a Tribal health program, or a Tribal organization as defined under 25 U.S.C. 1603 (24), (25), and (26), respectively; or
• A consortium of two or more of these Tribal Entities.

The sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed program. Appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program.

Institutions with existing Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) institutional training grants (e.g., T32) or other Federally funded training programs may apply for a research education grant provided that the proposed educational experiences are distinct from those training programs receiving federal support. In many cases, it is anticipated that the proposed research education program will complement ongoing research training occurring at the applicant institution.

An application may include foreign components only if one or more AI/AN tribes with ancestral catchment areas crossing the U. S. border will participate in the proposed program.

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 not 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 Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications states that failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission.

• System for Award Management (SAM) – Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually. The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code.
• NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code – Foreign organizations must obtain an NCAGE code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM.
• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) – A UEI is issued as part of the SAM.gov registration process. The same UEI must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application.
• eRA Commons - Once the unique organization identifier is established, organizations can register with eRA Commons in tandem with completing their Grants.gov registration; all registrations must be in place by time of submission. eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application.
• Grants.gov – Applicants must have an active SAM registration in order to complete the Grants.gov registration.

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 their organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. See, Reminder: Notice of NIH's Encouragement of Applications Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as well as Individuals with Disabilities, NOT-OD-22-019. 

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) do not need to hold a higher degree in the biomedical sciences; however, it is expected that the PD(s)/PI(s) will consult with individuals with biomedical research experience regarding effective practices for training future research scientists.

PDs/PIs employed at eligible Tribal Entities through special employment arrangements, such as interorganizational personnel agreements among federally recognized AI/AN Tribes, are allowable.

2. Cost Sharing

This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility

Number of Applications

Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.

NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time per NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.7.4 Submission of Resubmission Application. This means that the NIH will not accept:

• A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission (A1) application.
• An application that has substantial overlap with another application pending appeal of initial peer review. (see NIH Grants Policy Statement 2.3.9.4 Similar, Essentially Identical, or Identical Applications)

Program Mentors

Program mentors, who often serve as role models, are an important component of the TURTLE program. Program mentors may be drawn from across the United States and territories. Mentors should have expertise and experience relevant to the proposed program and must be committed to continue their involvement throughout the award period. 

Participants (UE5) and Trainees (T32)

Participants: The UE5 development phase may include graduate students (participants) to pilot the training, mentoring, and networking activities and to build a pool of potential trainees for the training phase (T32) of the award. Unless strongly justified on the basis of exceptional relevance to NIH, research education programs should be used primarily for the education of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Trainees: For the T32 training phase, the applicant organization will select the trainees to be supported by the research training program. It is the responsibility of the applicant organization to establish the qualifications, consistent with applicable law, of the trainees before they are supported by the program. The individual to be trained must be a citizen or a noncitizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment. Additional details on citizenship, training period, and aggregate duration of support are available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

All trainees are required to pursue their research training full time, normally defined as 40 hours per week, or as specified by the recipient organization in accordance with its own policies. Appointments are normally made in 12-month increments, and no trainee may be appointed for less than 9 months during the initial period of appointment, except with prior approval of NIGMS.

This research training program may not be used to support health-professional students who wish to interrupt their studies for a year or more to engage in research training that will not lead to a Ph.D. degree.

Predoctoral trainees funded through this program must be enrolled in a program leading to a Ph.D.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Requesting an Application Package

The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution. Links to apply using ASSIST or Grants.gov Workspace are available in Part 1 of this NOFO. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide, except where instructed in this Notice of Funding Opportunity to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions will not be reviewed.

The following section supplements the instructions found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this NOFO.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application, with the following modifications:

Facilities & Other Resources. Describe the facilities and resources that will contribute to the probability of success of the proposed research training program. Examples may include offices, information technology, computer facilities, software, conference rooms, virtual or in-person classrooms, and other training spaces. Applications should not include any data or examples of data, hyperlinks, or any material not listed as allowable for this attachment in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

 Other Attachments. Advisory Committee (optional): Applicants are encouraged to provide a plan for the appointment of an Advisory Committee that will provide guidance on the administration of the proposed TURTLE program. Describe the intended composition, roles, responsibilities, and desired expertise of committee members, frequency of committee meetings, and other relevant information. Potential Advisory Committee members should not be identified or contacted prior to receiving an award. Please name the file “Advisory_Committee.pdf”.

The filename provided for each “Other Attachment” will be the name used for the bookmark in the electronic application in eRA Commons.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following modifications:

Development phase (UE5): Two-year budget request. For this phase, the personnel costs are to support program and administrative staff to focus on the development of the educational content, recruitment, training and oversight procedures, institutional relationships and administrative systems for the training phase of the award. Include all personnel other than the PD(s)/PI(s), including participants, clerical and administrative staff in the Other Personnel section. Typically, salary support for program staff should not exceed 1.5 full time equivalents depending on the size and scope of the program. Requested costs for travel, consultant costs, and administrative infrastructure development should be entered in Sections D. Travel and F. Other Direct Costs.

Training phase (T32): Five-year budget estimate. For this NOFO, all costs for the training phase budget estimate should be included in Section E. Participant/Trainee Support Costs; follow instructions in the SF 424(R&R) Application Guide for Section E with the following additional guidance: 

• Item 1. Tuition/Fees/Health Insurance: Grantees should request the maximum allowable tuition/fees for predoctoral trainees as an estimate. Actual tuition and fee rates will be provided in the transition application for funding of the T32 phase. For this NOFO, do not include trainee health insurance in Item 1.
• Item 2. Stipends: Stipend levels should be requested according to the published NRSA levels for predoctoral trainees at the time of application. 
• Item 3. Travel: Trainee travel funds may be requested up to $1000 per trainee. Do not include faculty/staff travel in Item 3.
• Item 4. Other: enter estimated costs for Training Related Expenses (TRE) which may be requested at a rate up to $20,000 per trainee each year. NIGMS will provide funds to help defray other research training expenses, such as trainee health and dental insurance, staff salaries, consultant costs, equipment, research supplies, and faculty/staff travel directly related to the research training program. NIGMS expects organizations to prioritize the provision of trainee benefits, such as health insurance, using TRE funds. TREs must be justified as specifically required by the proposed program and must not duplicate items generally available at the applicant organization. Remaining TRE funds may be used for allowable costs associated with the following:
  • Salary support for the program staff (PD/PI or administrative personnel). Typically, salary support for program staff should not exceed 1.5 full time equivalents depending on the size and scope of the program.
  • Skills development training activities.
  • Seminar speakers, consultants, mentors, or trainers, who will serve as role models to the trainees.
  • Training or mentoring interventions designed to increase persistence in research (for example, those designed to increase science identity, self-efficacy and a sense of belonging in the scientific community).
  • Limited program evaluation costs.
  • Other program-related expenses may be included within the budget for training-related expenses. 
• Number of Participants/Trainees: The expected number of supported trainees at the steady-state level for each TURTLE program is on average 10 per year. For example, if trainees are to be supported for 2 years each the program will appoint 5 new students each year. 

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

Research Strategy: The Research Strategy section of the application should be used to upload the Proposed Program Plan containing the components described below: 

• Development Plan (UE5 Component)
• Research Training Plan (T32 Component)
• Program Staff
• Program Mentors
• Program Participants and Trainees
• Organizational Environment and Commitment

For the Proposed Program Plan, do not follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, instead, use the following instructions. 

Proposed Program Plan: While the proposed program may complement ongoing research training and education occurring at the applicant organization, the proposed educational experiences must be distinct from those research training and research education programs currently receiving federal support. When other federally-funded research training programs are ongoing, the applicant organization should clearly distinguish between the activities in the proposed program and the currently funded program(s).

Development Plan (UE5 Component): Applicants should describe the development plan and are encouraged to use the headings below.

• Development Milestones: Applications should describe the milestones, plan, and timeline for the Development Plan. The milestones should be specific, measurable, and attainable. The focus should be on areas for development, including, but not limited to:
  • Adequate program personnel with the appropriate expertise. Achieving this milestone may be demonstrated by hiring or training program personnel with the appropriate expertise.
  • Plans to recruit a pool of research-oriented trainees in alignment with the goals of the TURTLE program. For example, plans may include the establishment of any needed partnerships with Ph.D.-granting organizations providing predoctoral research training to future  researchers who are interested in pursuing a career in AI/AN health research.
  • Development of research training, career development, and networking activities and the personnel and technologies to deliver these activities.Recipient organizations are encouraged to pilot the activities during the development phase.
  • Mentor and role model recruitment, training, and monitoring procedures.
  • Grants administration capacity, including management of consortium arrangements, trainee appointments and terminations, grant reporting and the administration of trainee stipends, tuition and training-related expenses.
  • The capacity to track and report on trainee progress and outcomes.
• Development Plan and Timeline: Applications should describe the plan and timeline for  achieving the milestones within the 2-year funding period. Meeting the milestones will be an indication that the program is ready for the transition to the training phase (T32) of the award (see Section VI. Award Administration Information of this NOFO for information about the transition). 

Research Training Plan (T32 Component): The application should describe the research training plan by addressing the following topics. Applicants are encouraged to use the headings below when describing each area.

• Training Objectives: Applications should describe the specific, measurable, and attainable training objectives for the Research Training Plan. Training objectives should align with the overarching objective of this NOFO of supporting the development of individuals who have the technical, operational, and professional skills required to conduct AI/AN health research in an ethically responsible, culturally appropriate and rigorous manner, to complete a Ph.D. in a biomedical field, and to transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce.
• Overall Training Plan: Applications should describe the plans and timelines for activities. Program activities are encouraged to reflect a strengths-based model of development rather than a deficit remediation approach. Applications are encouraged to describe plans for the following areas:
  • Research Experiences: Appointed trainees are expected to gain research skills through authentic research experiences while earning their doctoral degrees. Describe how the TURTLE program will support the research training activities of the trainees. Examples include, organizing research seminars, discussions of the scientific literature, and trainee data presentations.
  • Activities for Skills Development and Promotion of Trainee Success: Trainees are expected to participate in activities that will build a broad range of technical, operational, and professional skills to enhance their science identity and self-efficacy and facilitate the successful progression into careers in the biomedical research workforce. Sites are encouraged to use the educational and training literature to inform training, mentoring, and professional development activities. Discuss the anticipated time the trainees are expected to participate in TURTLE activities given their other Ph.D. training responsibilities.
  • Cohort Building: TURTLE programs are encouraged to develop and implement activities to periodically bring together supported trainees to build a sense of community and belonging.
  • Career Advancement: Describe how trainees in the program will be provided with adequate and appropriate information regarding the variety of careers in the biomedical research workforce for which their training prepares them.
  • Outreach Activities: TURTLE programs are encouraged to engage in outreach activities. Examples include, facilitating opportunities for the trainees to give back to their communities, providing information to the training community on culturally-aware practices for future scientists focused on AI/AN health, and facilitating family understanding and engagement for supported trainees as they complete their research training.
• Program Oversight of Training and Mentoring: Applications should include the planned strategy and administrative structure to oversee and monitor the program, and to ensure appropriate and timely trainee progress for the duration of the trainees' graduate careers. Applications should describe the following (for each of the bulleted items below, the application should describe who is responsible for the oversight):
  • How the program will provide supported trainees with additional mentors with expertise complementary to their Ph.D. advisors (for example, from different fields or communities) and networking opportunities to support the trainees' interests in AI/AN health research and promote their success in obtaining Ph.D.s and continuing in research careers.
  • How the program confirms that participating organizations where the trainees are enrolled are promoting the development and retention of trainees for the duration of their graduate careers. To increase the likelihood of success in completing their Ph.D. degrees, TURTLE programs are encouraged to maintain contact with trainees beyond the time they are financially supported by the training program.
  • Mechanisms for mentor training for the TURTLE program mentors and for monitoring mentoring success, including oversight of the effectiveness of the trainee/research mentor match.
  • Conflict resolution practices to address potential conflicts that may impede trainee progress, for example, mentor-mentee, peer-peer, faculty-student, staff-trainee, or faculty-faculty conflicts.
• Candidate Review Process: Describe plans for a candidate review process that will allow a broad group of research-oriented trainees interested in AI/AN health research the ability to participate in the training program. The process should employ selection processes that are consistent with applicable law.
• Trainee Appointments and Financial Support: Applications should describe at what stage in the trainees' careers they will be supported on the training grant and the length of appointments. NIGMS typically supports trainees for 1-4 years during the early years of their graduate program. If trainees are enrolled at different organizations, applications should describe how management of trainee appointments and terminations and disbursement of training funds will be handled. 
• Trainee Outcomes: Training programs are required to report on Trainee Outcomes. Briefly describe how the TURTLE program will collect trainee outcome data on the following:
  • Evidence that trainees conducted rigorous research that advanced scientific knowledge and/or technologies, with increasing self-direction (for example, peer-reviewed publications in Training Table 5A, or other measures of scientific accomplishment appropriate to the field).
  • The rate of Ph.D. degree attainment for program appointees and time-to-degree for trainees (for example, Training Table 8A), including how many individuals obtained a Ph.D. degree, are still in training, left the program with a master's degree, or withdrew from the program with no degree.
  • The success of recent program graduates transitioning into careers in the biomedical research workforce (for example, Training Table 8A).
• Program Evaluation Plan, Dissemination, and Data Storage: Funded programs are expected to report on outcomes through annual progress reports and renewal applications. Briefly describe:
  • The plan for the TURTLE program evaluation to determine whether the training program is effective in meeting the research training mission and objectives.
  • Methods to determine if the TURTLE training climate is perceived as inclusive, safe, and supportive of trainee development and retention. Include methods to obtain reliable and representative input from trainees and to safeguard anonymity to ensure candid feedback.
  • Mechanisms to ensure the TURTLE program is responsive to outcomes analyses, program evaluations, and trainee feedback regarding the effectiveness of the TURTLE research training environment.
  • Activities designed to share outcomes and effective practices of the program with the broader community, for example, presenting program data or materials to members of the research training community via web postings or presentations.
  • Strategy to ensure the secure storage and preservation of program data and outcomes and how the data will be centralized, safeguarded, and retrievable during leadership and staff changes.

Note: Training Program Evaluation is not a form of human subjects research. Training grants prepare individuals for careers in the biomedical research workforce by developing and implementing evidence-informed educational practices including didactic, research, mentoring, and career development elements. While funded programs are expected to conduct ongoing program evaluations and assessments to monitor the effectiveness of the training and mentoring activities, training grant funds are not intended to support Human Subjects Research (check additional information on Human Subjects Research from NIH and HHS).

Program Staff: Briefly explain the leadership and administrative structure as well as the succession plan for critical positions.

• Training Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s): Describe how the Training PDs/PIs have the skills to build capacity and promote the success of the trainees and training program. NIGMS strongly encourages multiple PDs/PIs, particularly when each brings a unique perspective and skill set that will enhance training. In addition, the use of multiple PDs/PIs provides stability to the program in the event that one PD/PI leaves unexpectedly. The application should expand on the information in the biosketch(es) to address how the PD/PI or PD/PI team has or will have:
  • The administrative and training experience to provide strong leadership, direction, management, and administration of the proposed program. 
  • A commitment to training future biomedical researchers, leading recruitment efforts to broaden participation, and fostering inclusive research environments.
  • Received training on how to effectively mentor trainees from all backgrounds, including trainees from groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. 
• Additional Administrative Staff: In addition to having the appropriate infrastructure, effective administration of a training grant requires personnel with the organizational skills to recruit, appoint and track students, report outcomes, monitor the budget, and ensure stipends and tuition are provided in a timely manner. Describe the current or planned administrative staff required to develop, implement and run the TURTLE training program. 

Program Mentors: Describe the plans for building a team of TURTLE program mentors. Mentors, who often serve as role models, are an important component of the TURTLE program. Program mentors will provide additional guidance, encouragement and support for trainees that complements what they receive from their Ph.D. research advisors. They may be drawn from across the United States and territories. Program mentors from diverse backgrounds, such as individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, , persons with disabilities, and women are encouraged  to participate. Mentors should have expertise and experience relevant to the proposed program. When recruiting a team of mentors and role models to support the TURTLE trainees, it is expected that the following characteristics will be considered:

• Experience with teaching, mentoring, and sustaining the interest of students in biomedical fields. Programs are encouraged to recruit mentors with AI/AN health research experience.
• Awareness of the evidence base for effective student development in the biomedical research workforce.
• The ability to make strong connections with the students and understand the challenges they are experiencing.
• Understanding of and experience with appropriate cultural norms and expectations of AI/AIN health research.
• Sufficient knowledge of the biomedical research enterprise to give sound advice to students about how to effectively navigate the academic environment and career advancement options.
• Flexibility to adapt to the needs of each student.

Program Participants and Trainees: 

• The UE5 development phase may include graduate students as program participants to pilot the training, mentoring, and networking activities and to build a pool of potential trainees for the training phase of the award. Describe any plans to recruit program participants for the UE5 phase.
• For the T32 training phase, the recipient organization will select the trainees to be supported by the research training program. It is the responsibility of the organization to establish the qualifications, consistent with applicable law, of the trainees before they are supported by the program. The T32 phase of the TURTLE program is intended to support full-time students earning a Ph.D. degree in a field that is relevant to AI/AN health research. Trainees from multiple Ph.D.-granting institutions and scientific fields can be supported by a single TURTLE program. A Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity is required in the transition application discussed below.

Consistent with existing NIH practices and applicable law: (1) Funded programs may not use the race, ethnicity, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender status) of a participant, trainee, mentor, or faculty candidate as an eligibility or selection criteria, and (2) NIH does not use the race, ethnicity, or sex of prospective participants, participants, trainees, mentors, or faculty in the application review process or funding decisions.   Applicants and award recipients are encouraged to consult with their General Counsel to ensure all applicable laws and regulations are being followed in program design and implementation.

Organizational Environment and Commitment: Describe any additional aspects of the organizational environment and commitment not addressed under “Facilities & Other Resources”. Appropriate organizational commitment should include the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program. This section should not duplicate information provided elsewhere.

Resource Sharing Plan
Note: Effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2023, a Data Management and Sharing Plan is not applicable for this NOFO.

Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following modification:

• A Resource Sharing Plan is not required for this NOFO.

Appendix

Only limited Appendix materials are allowed. Follow the instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information

Not Applicable.

Delayed Onset Study

Not Applicable.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

See Part 2. 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

4. Submission Dates and Times

Part I. 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). 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 Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications.

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.

5. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372)

This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

6. Funding Restrictions

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.

Note, however, that for the training phase (T32), pre-award costs are not allowable charges for stipends or tuition/fees on training grants because these costs may not be charged to the grant until a trainee has actually been appointed, and the appropriate paperwork submitted to the NIH awarding component. Any additional costs associated with the decision to allow research elective credit for short-term research training are not allowable charges on a training grant.

Carryover of unobligated funds from the development phase (UE5) to the research training phase (T32) will require prior NIH approval. 

For the training phase (T32), theNational Research Service Award (NRSA) policies apply. An NRSA appointment may not be held concurrently with another Federally sponsored fellowship, traineeship, or similar Federal award that provides a stipend or otherwise duplicates provisions of the NRSA.

NIGMS does not permit automatic carryover of training grant (T32) funds from one budget period to the next.

7. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

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 How to Apply – Application Guide. If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the Dealing with System Issues guidance. For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII.

Important reminders:

All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile form. 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 unique entity identifier provided on the application is the same identifier used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management. 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 National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Applications that are incomplete and/or non-compliant will not be reviewed. 

Requests of $500,000 or more for direct costs in any year

Applicants requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year (excluding consortium F&A) are not required to contact a Scientific/Research Contact before submitting the application. The Policy on the Acceptance for Review of Unsolicited Applications that Request $500,000 or More in Direct Costs as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide is not applicable for this notice of funding opportunity.

Recipients or subrecipients must submit any information related to violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. See Mandatory Disclosures, 2 CFR 200.113 and NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4.1.35.

Send written disclosures to the NIH Chief Grants Management Officer listed on the Notice of Award for the IC that funded the award and to the HHS Office of Inspector Grant Self Disclosure Program at grantdisclosures@oig.hhs.gov.

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in the policy.

Section V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. Applications submitted to the NIH in support of the NIH mission are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

Specific to this NOFO: NIGMS recognizes that effective, well-designed research training programs that promote broad participation in the biomedical research workforce can take place in a wide variety of organizational environments and with mentors who have varying levels of NIH research project grant support. Reviewers should evaluate the proposed TURTLE program considering the applicant organization's stated objectives, organizational context, available resources, and the capacity of those resources to meet the stated objectives. Reviewers should note that identification by the applicant of current shortcomings and challenges can be viewed as positive factors if accompanied by sound plans for how the applicant would use the TURTLE award to overcome or remediate these challenges.

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to strongly advance research training by fulfilling the goals of the program, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria, as applicable for the project 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.

As applicable for the project 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.

As applicable for the project 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.

2. Review and Selection Process 

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s), 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 will receive a written critique.

Applications may undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific and technical merit (generally the top half of applications under review) will be discussed and assigned an overall impact score.

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 submitted in response to this NOFO. Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the appropriate national Advisory Council or Board. The following will be considered in making funding decisions, consistent with applicable law:

• Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific peer review.
• Availability of funds.
• Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities.
• Broad geographic distribution.
• Contributions to portfolio breadth as outlined in the NIGMS Strategic Plan.

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 Section 2.5.1. Just-in-Time Procedures. This request is not a Notice of Award nor should it be construed to be an indicator of possible funding.

Prior to making an award, NIH reviews an applicant’s federal award history in SAM.gov to ensure sound business practices. An applicant can review and comment on any information in the Responsibility/Qualification records available in SAM.gov.  NIH will consider any comments by the applicant in the Responsibility/Qualification records in SAM.gov to ascertain the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and performance record of managing Federal awards per 2 CFR Part 200.206 “Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.”  This provision will apply to all NIH grants and cooperative agreements except fellowships.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

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 Section 2.4.4 Disposition of Applications.

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

A Notice of Award (NoA) is the official authorizing document notifying the applicant that an award has been made and that funds may be requested from the designated HHS payment system or office. The NoA is signed by the Grants Management Officer and emailed to the recipient’s business official.

In accepting the award, the recipient agrees that any activities under the award are subject to all provisions currently in effect or implemented during the period of the award, other Department regulations and policies in effect at the time of the award, and applicable statutory provisions.

Recipients must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.6. Funding Restrictions. Any pre-award costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the applicant's own risk.  For more information on the Notice of Award, please refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 5. The Notice of Award and NIH Grants & Funding website, see Award Process.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The following Federal wide and HHS-specific policy requirements apply to awards funded through NIH:

• The rules listed at 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
• All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the terms and conditions in the Notice of Award (NoA). The NoA includes the requirements of this NOFO. 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, Recipients, and Activities.
• If a recipient receives an award, the recipient must follow all applicable nondiscrimination laws. The recipient agrees to this when registering in SAM.gov. The recipient must also submit an Assurance of Compliance (HHS-690). To learn more, see the Laws and Regulations Enforced by the HHS Office for Civil Rights website.
  • HHS recognizes that NIH 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. 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 NOFO.

All federal statutes and regulations relevant to federal financial assistance, including those highlighted in NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4 Public Policy Requirements, Objectives and Other Appropriation Mandates.

Recipients are responsible for ensuring that their activities comply with all applicable federal regulations.  NIH may terminate awards under certain circumstances.  See 2 CFR Part 200.340 Termination and NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.5.2 Remedies for Noncompliance or Enforcement Actions: Suspension, Termination, and Withholding of Support. 

The following special terms of award are in addition to, and not in lieu of, otherwise applicable U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) administrative guidelines, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) grant administration regulations at 2 CFR Part 200, and other HHS, PHS, and NIH grant administration policies.

The administrative and funding instrument used for this program will function as a cooperative agreement, an "assistance" mechanism (rather than an "acquisition" mechanism), in which substantial NIH programmatic involvement with the recipients is anticipated during the performance of the activities. Under the cooperative agreement, the NIH purpose is to support and stimulate the recipients' activities by involvement in and otherwise working jointly with the award recipients in a partnership role; it is not to assume direction, prime responsibility, or a dominant role in the activities. Consistent with this concept, the dominant role and prime responsibility will remain with the recipients for the project as a whole, although specific tasks and activities may be shared among the recipients and the NIH as defined below.

The PD(s)/PI(s) will have the primary responsibility for:

• Adhering to the overall objective of the TURTLE program.
• Developing capacity to administer a National Research Service Award (NRSA) Training grant.
• Developing programmatic activities.
• Contributing to the cooperative nature of the TURTLE program.

Recipients will retain custody of and have primary rights to the data and software developed under these awards, subject to Government rights of access consistent with current DHHS, PHS, and NIH policies.

During the UE5 phase, NIH staff have substantial programmatic involvement that is above and beyond the normal stewardship role in awards, as described below:

Project Coordinator. The Project Coordinator will not participate in the oversight of the NOFO, application review, or programmatic and budgetary stewardship of the award. The Project Coordinator will also not participate as an active researcher in the evaluation of the TURTLE program. NIH Project Coordinator(s) will:

• Guide the development of each TURTLE award and the TURTLE network by providing overall advice and coordination.
• Facilitate, not direct, activities.
• Ensure that the activities supported by the TURTLE awards are consistent with NIH missions and goals.
• Make recommendations regarding project direction to accomplish the goals of the TURTLE program.
• Promote communication between NIH and the grantee.
• Provide support to facilitate the timely progress toward agreed-upon programmatic goals, outcome measures, and milestones.
• Work closely and effectively with awardees to ensure standardized information and data needed to evaluate program effectiveness and preparedness for the transition to the training grant phase are submitted in a timely fashion.

Program Official. The NIH Program Official will be responsible for oversight of the NOFO and the normal programmatic stewardship of the award, including participating in funding recommendations, and will be named in the Notice of Award. The Program Official will not partake of the duties of the Project Coordinator.

Joint Responsibilities:

There are no joint responsibilities between the recipient and NIH staff.

Dispute Resolution:

During the awarded UE5 phase, disagreements between award recipients and the NIH that arise regarding matters related to the direction of the funded program may be brought to a Dispute Resolution Panel. The panel will be composed of three members: a designee of the recipient, one NIH designee, and a third designee with expertise in the relevant area who is chosen by the other two. This special dispute resolution procedure does not alter the recipient's right to appeal an adverse action that is otherwise appealable in accordance with PHS regulation 42 CFR Part 50, Subpart D and DHHS regulation 45 CFR Part 16.

3. Data Management and Sharing

Note: The NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing is effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2023.

Consistent with the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing, when data management and sharing is applicable to the award, recipients will be required to adhere to the Data Management and Sharing requirements as outlined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Upon the approval of a Data Management and Sharing Plan, it is required for recipients to implement the plan as described.

4. Reporting

When multiple years are involved, recipients will be required to submit the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) annually and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.4.1 Reporting. To learn more about post-award monitoring and reporting, see the NIH Grants & Funding website, see Post-Award Monitoring and Reporting.

For the Development phase (UE5): 

• Recipients will be required to submit progress as instructed in the Education RPPRs section of RPPR Instruction Guide.
• A final RPPR and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required at the end of the UE5 award period.

For the Research Training phase (T32):

• Recipients will be required to submit progress as instructed in the Training RPPRs section of RPPR Instruction Guide.
• The recipient institution must submit a completed Statement of Appointment (PHS Form 2271) for each trainee appointed or reappointed to the training grant for 8 weeks or more. Grantees must submit the PHS 2271 data electronically using the xTrain system. More information on xTrain is available at xTrain (eRA Commons). An appointment or reappointment may begin any time during the budget period, but not before the budget period start date of the grant year.
• A notarized statement verifying possession of permanent residency documentation must be submitted with the Statement of Appointment (PHS Form 2271). Individuals with a Conditional Permanent Resident status must first meet full (non-conditional) Permanent Residency requirements before receiving support.
• Termination Notice: Within 30 days of the end of the total support period, the institution must submit a Termination Notice (PHS Form 416-7) via xTrain for each trainee appointed for eight weeks or more.
• A final RPPR and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report, and Termination Notices for all Trainees, are required for closeout of a T32 award as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

NIH NOFOs outline intended research goals and objectives. Post award, NIH will review and measure performance based on the details and outcomes that are shared within the RPPR, as described at 45 CFR Part 75.301 and 2 CFR 200.301.

Failure by the recipient institution to submit required forms in a timely, complete, and accurate manner may result in an expenditure disallowance or a delay in any continuation funding for the award.

Instructions for the Transition from the UE5 to the T32 Component

Transition Application

The transition to the T32 phase of funding is not automatic and is contingent upon satisfactory progress towards achieving the UE5 milestones, administrative review, and the availability of funds. NIGMS will provide detailed instructions about transition applications to UE5 recipients approximately six months prior to the end of the UE5 award period. TURTLE UE5 recipients wishing to submit the T32 transition application should prepare the application using the  PHS 2590 forms . Follow the PHS 2590 instructions unless instructed otherwise below. 

 The T32 Transition Application must include the following components:

1. Face Page.
2. Detailed budget and budget justification. Submit an updated proposed training budget using PHS 2590 budget forms for each of the five years of the T32 phase.
3. Biographical sketches. Include biosketches for the PD/PI team and Program Mentors using the Non-Fellowship Biosketch format. The PD/PI team and Program Mentors’ personal statements should include a description of their mentoring and training philosophy, including commitment to inclusion in the research training environments.
4. Other Support
5. All Personnel Report
6. Progress Report.  Include detailed information about achievements in reaching the following milestones: 
   • Hiring or training program personnel with the appropriate expertise.
   • Ability to recruit a pool of research-oriented trainees in alignment with the goals of the TURTLE program. For example, the establishment of any needed partnerships with Ph.D. granting organizations providing predoctoral research training to future researchers interested in pursuing a career in AI/AN health research.
   • An effective, updated plan for research training, career development, and networking activities and the personnel and technologies to deliver these activities. Include any data from piloting training, career development, or networking pilots.
   • Establishment of effective recruitment, training and monitoring practices for mentors associated with the program.
   • Development of grants administration capacity, including management of consortium arrangements if applicable, trainee appointments and terminations, reporting and the administration of trainee stipends, tuition  and training-related expenses.
   • The capacity to track and report on trainee progress and outcomes
   • Relevant supporting training plans including:
     • Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity (3 pages): Applicants should describe a Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity. For purposes of this requirement, “recruitment” refers to outreach efforts intended to encourage individuals to apply for the program.  “Recruitment” does not mean the appointment or hiring of an individual into the program. Include outreach strategies and activities designed to recruit a sufficient pool of potential trainees whose career goals align with the purpose of the program. Applicants are encouraged to consider strategies on the NIGMS webpage. Activities may include forming partnerships with Ph.D. programs that enroll students interested in AI/AN health research, attending national meetings for research-oriented students, or hosting summer experiences to conduct AI/AN health research.
     • Plan for Instruction in Methods for Enhancing Rigor and Reproducibility (3 pages). Applicants should include a plan that will be implemented in the training phase of the award for the oversight of "Instruction in Methods for Enhancing Rigor and Reproducibility". The plan should describe how the program will reinforce the principles important for enhancing research rigor and reproducibility, for example, critical evaluation of foundational research underlying a project, rigorous experimental design and data interpretation, computational and quantitative approaches, consideration of relevant biological variables such as sex, authentication of key biological and/or chemical resources, data and material sharing, record keeping, and transparency in reporting. The plan should be appropriate and reasonable for the nature and duration of the proposed activities. Applicants are encouraged to consult the NIGMS clearinghouse for training modules to enhance data reproducibility and other resources when developing the plans.
     • Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (3 pages): Applicants should include a plan that will be implemented in the training phase of the award for the oversight of “Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)” for appointed trainees to ensure the appropriate content is being provided by the Ph.D. degree granting organization. Applicants are encouraged to review the instructions for Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for topics typically covered. Programs are encouraged to provide additional modules for the responsible conduct of AI/AN health research. 

Trainee Diversity Reports and the NIH Training Data Tables are not required for the transition application but will be required for subsequent progress reports and renewal applications.

Combine the required components into one compiled ( Merge PDFs: How to combine PDF files for free | Adobe Acrobat ), flattened PDF ( Print to PDF (adobe.com) ) document.

The Authorized Organization Representative should submit the transition application PDF by email to the NIGMS Grants Management Specialist and Program Official.

UE5 recipients who are not approved to transition will receive written notification from NIGMS communicating the rationale for the disapproval. This notification typically will be sent within 60 days of receipt of the transition application.

Although the financial plans of NIGMS provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds.

Termination of the UE5 award phase

If transition from the UE5 phase to the T32 phase occurs at the originally scheduled end date of the UE5 award, then no specific steps to terminate the UE5 award are necessary. 

If the transition from the UE5 phase to the T32 phase occurs prior to the scheduled end date of the UE5 award phase, then a revised Notice of Award will be issued to terminate the UE5 phase award. Carryover of unspent funds from the UE5 phase into the T32 phase is permitted with prior approval from NIH.

A final RPPR 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 Section 8.6 Closeout.

5. Evaluation

In carrying out stewardship of grant programs, NIGMS will periodically evaluate the TURTLE program, employing the representative measures identified below. In assessing the effectiveness of training, workforce development, NIGMS may use information from progress reports and public databases, PD/PIs, and from trainees/participants themselves. Where necessary, PD/PIs and trainees/participants may be appropriately contacted after the completion of the grant period for updates on outcomes.

The overall evaluation of the NIGMS-wide program will be based on metrics that may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Characteristics of the applicant and recipients pool for the program, such as:

• Geographic distribution
• Investigator/participant/trainee demographics
• Institution types

Indicators of student scientific accomplishments/productivity, such as:

• Peer-reviewed research publications, citations, and related bibliometrics
• Presentations (talks, posters) at scientific conferences, Tribal Council meetings, and community gatherings/meetings.
• Professional recognitions (poster or travel awards, invited talks, etc.)

Measures of educational outcomes or career progression, such as:

• Successful transitions to subsequent stages of training
• Degree completions and time-to-degree in biomedical science fields
• Participation in AI/AN health research
• Subsequent research grant support from NIH or other sources
• Participation in the biomedical research workforce

Section VII. Agency Contacts

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, application errors and warnings, documenting system problems that threaten submission by the due date, and post-submission issues)

Finding Help Online: https://www.era.nih.gov/need-help (preferred method of contact)
Telephone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)

General Grants Information (Questions regarding application instructions, application processes, and NIH grant resources)
Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov (preferred method of contact)
Telephone: 301-480-7075

Grants.gov Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and Workspace)
Contact Center Telephone: 800-518-4726
Email: support@grants.gov

SBA Company Registry (Questions regarding required registration at the SBA Company Registry and for technical questions or issues)
Website to Email: http://sbir.gov/feedback?type=reg

Kalynda Gonzales Stokes, Ph.D.
National Institutes of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: NIGMSTurtle@nigms.nih.gov

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: NIGMSReview@mail.nih.gov

Justin Rosenzweig
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: rosenzwj@nigms.nih.gov

Section VIII. Other Information

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 63A and 45 CFR Part 75 and 2 CFR Part 200.