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Home

  Public FAQs  Public FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
NIH Policies Supporting Early Stage, and Early Established Investigators
      I. Next Generation Researchers Initiative Policy Background
      II. General Questions
      III. Eligibility For Consideration As An Early Stage Investigator
      IV. Extension Of Early Stage Investigator Status
      V. EEI Extension process and Reasons for EEI Extension
      VI. Identifying Applications from ESIs
Initial Posting: August 31, 2017
Last Revised: August 8, 2022



    Expand/Contract

    I. Next Generation Researchers Initiative Policy Background
    1. Where does the money come from to fund early stage investigators?

      Prioritization of funding by the directors of NIH Institutes and Centers.

    2. What types of grant applications will receive special consideration?

      R01 equivalent applications with PD/PIs who are early-stage investigators.

    3. Do I need to do anything special to be considered for this funding?

      There are no additional steps required by applicants beyond ensuring that their eRA Commons Personal Profile is accurate. NIH will identify the Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) who are eligible for special funding consideration.

    4. How will you evaluate the effectiveness of the policy?

      NIH will track, on an ongoing basis, the numbers of ESI investigators and investigators at other career stages who are being supported.

    Back to Top

    Expand/Contract

    II. General Questions
    1. How does NIH describe an Early Stage Investigator (ESI)?

      An ESI, or Early Stage Investigator, is a Program Director / Principal Investigator (PD/PI) who has completed their terminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training, whichever date is later, within the past 10 years and who has not previously competed successfully as PD/PI for a substantial NIH independent research award.  A list of NIH grants that a PD/PI can hold and still be considered an ESI can be found at https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-investigators/list-smaller-grants.  ESIs are encouraged to enter the date of their terminal research degree or the end date of their post-graduate clinical training in their eRA Commons profile to ensure their correct identification.  

    2. What are the advantages of Early Stage Investigator (ESI) status?

      ESI applications with meritorious scores will be prioritized for funding by the institute or center receiving the application.

    3. What does the “New Investigator” status mean in eRA Commons? What advantages are available for those marked as having “New Investigator” status in eRA Commons?

      New Investigator indicates that the applicant has not previously received substantial, independent funding from NIH. Unlike Early Stage Investigators, there is no requirement of time from terminal degree. Some ICs may fund non-ESI New Investigators according to their own programmatic and strategic interests.

    4. How do I ensure that NIH recognizes my career status?

      Software within the eRA Commons will check first for previous award history, and whether the individual has competed for and received a substantial independent research award. The software will then calculate a ten year window of ESI status based on the date of the terminal research degree or the post-graduate clinical training end date entered in the investigator’s Profile. To ensure that NIH recognizes your ESI status, you must update your eRA Commons profile to reflect the date of completion of your terminal research degree or the end of your post-graduate clinical training.

    5. Who has the ability to update ESI status?

      ESI status is determined automatically by functionality built into eRA Commons.  The status is based on the investigator’s record of receiving NIH grants and the completion date of his/her terminal research degree or the completion of post-graduate clinical training entered into the eRA Commons personal profile. If an extension to the ESI 10-year period is granted by the ESI Extensions Committee, the eRA Commons account is updated by NIH staff.  

    6. Is verification of degree completion date required and accomplished via a third party?

      Degree and post-graduate clinical training completion dates are provided by the owner of the profile in eRA Commons. Applicants are expected to provide true, accurate, and complete information and to produce documentation when requested. (Making false statements to the federal government can lead to penalties (18 U.S.C. § 1001).

    7. I am an Early Stage Investigator (ESI) but this designation does not appear when I view the grant folder in the NIH Commons. How can I correct the information?

      The first step in making sure that you are correctly designated is to go into your NIH Commons Profile and make sure the degree completion and/or the end of post-graduate clinical training date have been correctly entered. If the Profile screens indicate that you are an ESI, that information should be correctly assigned to any R01 or R01-equivalent application that you submit. Please note that the designation does not appear on grant applications that are not considered R01 equivalents.  If you believe that your ESI status is incorrectly reported in your grant folder, please contact the NIH eRA Service Desk at your earliest convenience.  If you believe that your ESI eligibility window needs to be extended because of a lapse in your research or research training, you can request an extension using the instructions available on the Early Stage Investigator Policies page.

    8. Are there other special initiatives or programs for scientists just beginning their independent careers?

      A number of opportunities specifically for those initiating the independent phase of their research career are highlighted on the Early Stage Investigator Policies page. Of particular note are the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (DP2); and the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5). The Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award for New and Early Stage Investigators (R35) is also worth considering even though it is not offered by all NIH institutes and centers. In addition, NIH mentored Career Development (K) awards including the Pathway to Independence Award (K99-R00) and other mentored K awards such as K01, K08 and K23 are awards with goals to assist investigators to develop independent research careers.

    Back to Top

    Expand/Contract

    III. Eligibility For Consideration As An Early Stage Investigator
    1. In terms of qualification for the ESI designation, why are postdoctoral periods treated differently than post-graduate clinical training periods, especially since residencies prepare for clinical practice?

      The 10-year ESI period was designed to allow for a comparable and generous period time for research activities following the end of formal training. Postdoctorates with PhDs, typically pursue primarily research.  Residency typically allows very limited opportunity for research. Post-graduate clinical training fellowships require substantive clinical activities and vary across specialties and subspecialties in terms of how much research they allow. The end of postgraduate clinical training is used to permit physician scientists/clinician investigators to retain ESI status as they pursue research activities toward independence.

    2. Can individuals that are within 10 years of completing a mentored career development award be considered ESIs?

      The time of completing a mentored career development award, like a K01, K08 or K23, has no bearing on ESI status.  If the career awardee is still within 10 years of completing his or her terminal research degree or post-graduate clinical training, and has not previously competed successfully as PD/PI for a substantial NIH independent research award, the ESI status will remain in effect.  

    3. I finished my Ph.D. in November but didn’t graduate until the spring. What date should I use for the date of my terminal research degree?

      The formal date of receipt of your Ph.D. is the date the degree was conferred, as indicated on your diploma and/or transcript. That date determines the beginning of your 10-year window as an Early Stage Investigator and is the date that should be entered into your eRA Commons Profile.  

    4. Can medical specialty or subspecialty training be considered a part of the “clinical training” period?

      Yes. The clinical fellowship training in a medical specialty or subspecialty in the years that follow the internship/residency period will be considered for the purpose of this policy. 

    5. Can investigators at government agencies, non-academic, and/ or for-profit organizations be considered ESIs?

      Yes. Applicants from any organization with an eRA institutional registration can complete the degree date and post-graduate clinical training date fields in their eRA Commons profile for classification as an ESI. PD/PIs should work through their institution’s Office of Sponsored Research or its equivalent to establish an eRA Commons account. If you are unable to identify your institution’s Signing Official, please contact the NIH eRA Service Desk.

    6. I am a scientist in the NIH Intramural Program. Can I be considered for ESI status?

      Except for certain Roadmap programs and the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00), NIH Intramural scientists are not permitted to apply for extramural grants. Those considering transitioning to an extramural position should consult NIH policies for information about changing affiliation and preparing grant applications. (see https://oir.nih.gov/sourcebook/ethical-conduct). If you can successfully transition to an extramural institution and can apply for an NIH R01-equivalent research grant, you may be considered a New and/or Early Stage Investigator using standard criteria.  

    7. If I did a second clinical training or clinical fellowship, does this reset the clock on my ESI status?

      It depends. Once you enter the date of the second clinical training experience into your eRA Commons profile, NIH may use that new date as the start date of your ESI eligibility. If there is an extended period of time between the first and second clinical training experience, the ESI Extensions Committee may reach out for additional information clarifying the gap between the trainings.

    8. I earned a Master of Business Administration after my Ph.D. Can my M.B.A. be considered my terminal research degree? What about an M.P.H?

      If your highest degree is an M.S., this will be your terminal degree. On the other hand, if you received a master's degree in a different field after your Ph.D. or M.D., your Ph.D. or M.D. is your terminal degree date. 

    9. What if I did not complete a doctoral degree? What do I enter as my terminal degree?

      Individuals without a doctoral degree should enter their highest research degree, which could be a master’s or a bachelor’s degree in some cases.

    10. Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to be considered an Early Stage, or Early Established Investigator?

      No. There are no citizenship or residency requirements for Early Stage Investigator status.

    11. How is my Early Stage Investigator status changed if I am part of a multi-project award?
      If an ESI is assigned a PD/PI role for the overall multi-project application, the individual will lose their ESI status when the award is made. If the ESI is the lead of a project or core, but not the PD/PI for the overall application, the individual will retain ESI status when the award is made.
    12. Will all my research grant applications receive special consideration if I am an Early Stage Investigator?

      No. Only R01-equivalent applications will be identified as applications from Early Stage, or Early Established Investigators so that they can receive special consideration.  

    13. I have ESI status but I plan to submit a Multiple PI application. Will my application be flagged as ESI?

      A multiple PD/PI R01 application will be flagged as an ESI application only if all the listed PD/PIs have ESI status at the time of submission.

    14. I had an R01 several years ago but have no R01 now. Can I be considered an ESI?

      It depends.  If you competed successfully for a substantial NIH grant at any time in your career, you are no longer considered an ESI.  If you became the PD/PI on the R01 without competition, however, you may still be an ESI, if you are within 10 years of completing your most recent terminal research degree or post-graduate clinical training.

    15. May I apply from a foreign institution?

      Yes. ESI status is associated with individual investigators and the advantages offered are designed to accelerate the transition to independence. They apply to investigators in foreign settings as well as domestic settings. Applicants from foreign institutions may find the FAQs available at http://fic.nih.gov/Grants/Pages/Frequently-Asked-Questions.aspx useful.

    16. I’ve entered the date of my terminal research degree and/or the end of post-graduate clinical training date. Where do I look to find my ESI status?

      Once you have entered the date of your terminal research degree and/or your end of post-graduate clinical training date in the Education section of your eRA Commons Personal Profile, your ESI status and the End of Eligibility Date will be displayed.

    17. If I become a lead PI of an R01 due to a change of investigator action (e.g., the lead PI retired and the institution received approval from NIH that I become the lead PI), am I still eligible to qualify as an ESI since I did not compete for funding?

      Yes. The definition of ESI states that the individual must not have "previously competed successfully" as PD/PI for a substantial NIH independent research award. Therefore, the individual may still qualify if all other aspects of the ESI definition are met. 

    18. What happens if I update my degree end date or my ESI extension request is approved after my application is submitted?
      When NIH approves ESI extension requests or a PI updates their degree information in their eRA Commons personal profile after application submission, the ESI status for the application will be updated once the summary statement is released.
    19. If I have two different applications under consideration as an ESI and one is awarded, will ESI consideration be given for the other?

      No. Only one substantial NIH independent research application can be awarded as an ESI. When an ESI-eligible application is pending and the PD/PI has been awarded another R01 or R01-equivalent application, the ESI status of the pending application will be updated after release of the summary statement to indicate the application is no longer ESI-eligible.

    20. Do small business awards remove ESI eligibility?

      Beginning in FY2020, investigators can successfully compete for any small business-related awards (R41, UT1, R42, UT2, R43, U43, R44, U44, SB1, UB1) and retain their ESI eligibility. 

    Back to Top

    Expand/Contract

    IV. Extension Of Early Stage Investigator Status

      A. ESI Extension Request Process

    1. How do I request an extension of my ESI status?

      ESI extensions can be requested via an ESI Extension Request link found in the Education section of the PI’s Personal Profile in eRA Commons.  For step-by-step instructions, see the ESI Extension Request online help or watch the video tutorial ESI Status Extension Request on the eRA Videos page. The policies and procedures for requesting an extension of the period of ESI status are detailed at NOT-OD-09-034 and NOT-OD-19-125.html. If an extension is granted a new ESI end date will appear in eRA Commons and you will be sent email notification of the change.

    2. When should I apply for an ESI extension?

      You may apply for an extension of the ESI period at any time after the eRA Commons has calculated and displayed your ESI status. PD/PIs are encouraged to update their degree and post-graduate clinical training information well in advance of the due date for any planned R01-equivalent application. Early establishment of ESI status will avoid ambiguity about the ESI classification of submitted applications. Extra steps are required and must be initiated by the PD/PI to reclassify an application after it has been received and assigned to a Scientific Review Group.

    3. What time units will be considered in a request to extend my ESI period?

      Terminal research degrees and post-graduate clinical training completion dates will be reported as month and year. Similarly, requests for extension should be made in whole months. Rounding up to the next whole month is permissible. For example, if the time away from research is 6 months and 3 weeks, a request of 7 months is appropriate.

    4. I worked part time for six months: 75% for two months; 50% for 2 months. How should I calculate my request for an extension?

      Prepare a table as shown below. The key issues which should be included are the time period (for example January 2012 through March 2012), your employment responsibilities (percent effort negotiated for research/clinical work/teaching/administrative duties, etc.), the % time you spent performing research, and the reason for the hiatus as described in NOT-OD-09-034.

      Time Period (MM/DD/YY-MM/DD/YY)

      Research/Teaching/Clinical/Admin (Typical)

      Percent Time Performing Research (during life event)

      Reason for hiatus

             
             
             
    5. Must the application for an extension come from or be endorsed by an institution?

      It is not necessary for an institutional official/signing official/ Authorized Organization Representative to submit the request. The individual submitting the request for ESI extension is responsible for providing true, accurate, and complete information; however, the ESI Extensions Committee may request documentation to clarify the extent of the request.

    6. Will NIH ask for more information or documentation to support my request for an extension?

      In some cases, NIH may ask for additional information, clarification, or documentation regarding an ESI extension request, to better establish a reasonable extension period.

    7. How will I know if my extension has been granted?

      You will receive an email response at the email address designated in your eRA Commons account. In addition, the ESI indicator in your eRA Commons Account will change and the end date of your ESI status period will be modified to reflect the extension granted.

    8. Can you provide a few clear samples of requests for extension of the ESI period?

      a.  My wife and I had a daughter on May 2, 2014, and I spent 6 months away from research between the period of May 2014 and October 2014 caring for her. In total, I’m requesting that my ESI status be extended by six months. According to the eRA Commons the 10-year period of my ESI status will end on July 2022. I’m requesting that it be extended until January 2023.

      b. My Ph.D. was granted in November 2011. In August of 2014, my postdoctoral appointment was interrupted and delayed by injuries sustained in a car accident. I was in the hospital and away from the lab for two months until the end of September and then worked only half time for 6 months between October 2014 and March 2015. I’m requesting a 5-month extension of my ESI period. That would extend my ESI period from November 2021 until April 2022.

    9. How long will it take to get a response?

      In most cases it is expected that a decision will be made within a few weeks. If there are large numbers of requests for extensions or if there are unanswered questions after the first request, the process and the decision may take longer.


      B. ESI Extensions Committee

    1. Who will make the decision about my request for an extension?

      An ESI Extensions Committee composed of senior NIH extramural review and program staff evaluates the requests for extensions and makes decisions. The Division of Biomedical Research Workforce in the Office of Extramural Research is responsible for coordinating the committee.

    2. Can I talk to someone about my situation?

      Yes. Please direct any concerns you may have to the mailbox for ESI inquiries (esi_extensions@od.nih.gov). If you feel it is necessary to discuss a special situation, please indicate that in your email, and someone will call you.


      C. Reasons for ESI Extension Requests

    1. Is there an expected amount of time for requests for extensions due to parental leave?

      The ESI Extension Committee will approve extensions on a case by case basis.  Because nearly half of the ESI extension requests are related to childbirth, NIH will automatically approve an ESI extension of one year for childbirth within the ESI period.

    2. If an individual has multiple children during the 10-year ESI period, would the new ESI Extension policy be applied for each childbirth?

      Yes, the automatic 12-month extension would be applied to each childbirth.

    3. Are men, those who have adopted children, and same-sex partners of individuals giving birth eligible for the automatic one-year ESI extension for childbirth?

      The one-year ESI extension will automatically apply to women giving birth who provide the date of childbirth to the extension committee. Men, those adopting children, as well as same-sex partners of individuals giving birth can apply for an ESI extension using the ESI Extension Request link found in the Education section of the PI's Personal Profile in eRA Commons.   As stated in the Guide Notice, all other requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

    4. I had a hiatus in my research career to take care of family members. Can I request an extension in my ESI status?

      In general, the NIH will consider requests to extend the ESI period for reasons that can include medical concerns, disability, family care responsibilities, natural disasters, and active duty military service. Any such request will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

    5. I have a chronic illness that generally impairs my ability to work full time. Am I eligible for an ESI extension? If so, how long can this extension last?

      A chronic illness (mental or physical) could be a valid reason to request an ESI extension. You should prorate the request. For example, if the chronic illness led to working only 80% time over a 5-year period within the ESI eligible time frame, you should request a one year extension.

    6. I had a delay in my research due to a flood in our animal facility that resulted in the loss of a valuable mutant mouse colony. May I request an ESI extension of the time equivalent to the time required to replace my experimental mouse colony and restart my research career?

      Yes. A request for an extension of the ESI period can be based on natural disasters and other catastrophic events that led to a lab shutdown, relocation, or the need to rebuild resources required for your research. This can include a hurricane, fire, flood, earthquake, or occurrences like an infection in an animal colony. In your extension request, please indicate the nature of the disaster and the actual time lost until you restarted your research or research training. As with other requested extensions, such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and the Extension Committee may ask for additional supporting information.

    7. I spent 4 years conducting research in industry before taking my first academic position. Can I request an extension of my ESI to account for time out of academia?

      No. There is no distinction between research or research training time spent in industry and comparable time spent in academia.

    8. Can I request an ESI extension to cover time away from research while I was employed in a different industry (such as telecommunications), in the government (in extramural grants administration, or working in private medical practice?

      No. If the time away from research is a career choice and is not related to medical concerns, disability, family care responsibilities, natural disasters, active duty military service or comparable factors it will not be considered as the basis for an extension request.

    9. I was unemployed for 2 years after my terminal research degree. Can I request an extension of my ESI period to cover this time away from research?

      Generally, no. Requests for an extension of ESI eligibility related to a period of unemployment will not be granted unless the unemployment period is a direct result of medical concerns, disability, essential family care responsibilities, natural disasters, or comparable factors.

    10. I spent time in a research staff associate position and was not permitted to apply for NIH grant support. Can I request an extension of my ESI period to cover this time away from research?

      No. Institutional restrictions on the ability to apply for external research support cannot be used as the basis for an extension request.

    11. I spent several years as a clinical fellow after my MD and my residency before I started my research training. Can I extend my ESI status?

      Once you enter the date of the post graduate clinical training into your eRA Commons profile, NIH will use that new date as the start date of your 10-year ESI eligibility. There is no need to apply for an extension.

    12. Can I request an ESI extension for changing research fields?
      Changing research fields is generally not a valid reason for an extension to the ESI period.
    13. Can I request an ESI extension for clinical responsibilities associated with a faculty appointment or private practice?

      No, clinical responsibilities associated with faculty appointment or other position are generally not eligible for an extension of the ESI period.

    14. Because I am part of a dual-career couple, I took a less than ideal research position so that I could remain in the same city as my spouse. Can I request an ESI extension for this time period?

      Time spent in a research position, even if the position is less than ideal, is not a valid reason for extension of the ESI period.

    15. How much information should I submit to justify an extension request for a chronic illness or family issue that resulted in low productivity?

      Extension requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and detailed information is extremely helpful to appropriately evaluate the request. While you are not obligated to provide medical or personal details, the committee appreciates specific information whenever possible, such as the amount of time that your illness or family issue caused you to remain away from research and a summary table to report this is very helpful. If sufficient information is not provided, additional information will be sought. The committee appreciates the sensitivity of the documentation provided; all information is kept confidential.

    16. I decided to stay home for six years until my child reached school age. During that time I had sporadic part time work related to my scientific interests. May I request an extension to my ESI period of 72 months?

      The ESI Extension Committee will review justifications for extension requests on a case by case basis. Special or compelling circumstances (a child with disabilities or an illness for example) should be described in an ESI extension request and will be evaluated.

    17. I have an M.D. and I completed a residency followed by a fellowship that included both research and clinical periods. Do I need to request an extension to my ESI period for the full fellowship period?

      You do not need to request an extension. Once you add the end date of the post-graduate clinical training period to your eRA Commons profile, this is the date that NIH will use to calculate your 10-year ESI eligibility period. The components (clinical vs research) of the fellowship are not considered separately.

    18. I am preparing an R01 application for a receipt date next summer. Should I let the committee know my plans to submit so that they will feel an urgency to approve my ESI extension?

      No. It is not appropriate to ask for an extension of a certain period of time so that you can submit your application by a certain date. However, it is recommended that ESI extension requests be submitted in a timely manner. As with all requests for extensions, you must explicitly describe your time away from research along with the reason for and the nature of the hiatus.

    19. Is time spent performing clinical service payback eligible for an extension?

      Generally, non-research, service payback time is not eligible for an extension. All requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the extension committee may request additional supporting information.

    20. May I submit an extension request if I had a hiatus from research because I had to fulfill teaching requirements as a condition of my student loan?

      Generally, requests for non-research, payback time are not eligible for extensions. Note that time spent in research while fulfilling the payback obligation should not be included in the time requested.

    21. My employer paid for my graduate education with the condition that I pay back the obligation by working for them in a non-research position for a certain number of years. May I submit an extension request for this type of service payback obligation?

      Time spent fulfilling a payback obligation to an employer is generally not acceptable. Note that time spent in research while fulfilling the payback obligation should not be included in the time requested.

    22. I had to attain a visa before I could begin working in a research position in the United States. May I submit an extension request for time spent waiting for the visa to process? What if my home country requires that I maintain residency before applying for the visa – does this waiting period before applying qualify for an extension?

      No. Time spent waiting to process a visa or time spent in the home country before applying for a visa is not eligible for an extension.

    23. May I submit an extension request for the time I spent in training as part of my NIH research career development (K) award?

      Any time spent in research or research training counts toward the 10-year ESI status period, so this would not be a valid request for an extension.

    24. I am a new PD/PI and it took a year from when I started my academic position until my lab was ready to use. May I submit an extension request for time spent waiting for my lab to be constructed?

      Generally, no. Investigators generally use such time to advance their research, such as performing experiments in colleagues’ labs to keep their research going, and/or writing publications or grant applications that are directly relevant to their research. If you feel there were extraordinary circumstances involved, please explain in your request.

    25. Does receipt of a tenure clock extension from my university qualify me for an ESI extension?

      No. The tenure clock is not related to ESI status. ESI status may be extended for reasons that can include medical concerns, disability, family care responsibilities, extended periods of clinical training, natural disasters, and active duty military service. It is possible that these same circumstances may have prompted the tenure clock extension, but changes in the tenure clock will not be considered as a reason for extension of ESI status.

    26. How should I submit my request for a hiatus due to active military service?

      You should indicate the time you spent in non-research, active military service. Note that time spent in research while in active military service should not be included in the time requested.

    27. Does time spent preparing for and taking Board certifications qualify as a reason to request an extension?

      No.  Even if required by your Institution, the time spent acquiring Board certifications is not eligible for an extension.

    28. May I submit an extension request for didactic training that occurred during my postdoctoral training period?

      Postdoctoral training is not time away from research, and therefore is not considered a valid reason for an extension.  In addition, didactic training that is expected in a standard postdoctoral position (such as attending lab meetings, presenting or attending conferences, or participating in the occasional university course) should not be considered grounds for an extension. 

    29. Can I request an extension to my ESI period for an event that occurred during a timeframe that includes a previous extension?

      The NIH ESI Extension committee will consider requests for events that occur within the initial 10 years from receipt of terminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training, whichever date is later; however, the ESI Extension Committee will also consider requests for life events that occurred during the previously granted extension period that fall outside of the initial 10 year eligibility timeframe.

    30. Can I request 2 extensions to my ESI period for life events that occurred simultaneously?

      Yes. Each request will be considered independently.

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    Expand/Contract

    V. Identifying Applications from ESIs
    1. I am an ESI and I am planning to submit a research grant application jointly with two other investigators. Will my ESI status ensure special consideration for our application?

      A multiple PD/PI grant application will be flagged for ESI status only if all Principal Investigators listed are ESIs. 

    2. How are applications from ESIs identified in the review process?

      The ESI status of the PD/PI(s), on any R01 Equivalent application will be determined at the time of submission. If the PD/PI(s) on the application is/are classified as ESI on the date the application is successfully submitted to Grants.gov, the application will be flagged as ESI and will receive special consideration during the review and funding process. If the application status does not correctly reflect the ESI or NI status on the day of submission, contact ESINIH@od.nih.gov.

    3. According to my eRA commons profile, my ESI status expires June 2022. Does this mean my ESI status will expire on the first or last of June?

      The official date of expiration is the end of the indicated month; in the example, the expiration date would be June 30, 2022.

    4. I submitted an application within my ESI eligibility window, which ends this month. If this application is not funded, I plan to submit a resubmission version of this application at the next receipt date, which will be after my eligibility expires. Will my resubmission application be ESI-eligible?

      There is a 13-month period during which an investigator can submit the A1 resubmission application to retain ESI status. That is, if an original application is flagged as an ESI application and it is resubmitted as an amended application (A1) within 13 months after the submission date of the original application, it will retain its ESI status even if your eligibility period has expired. However, if the resubmission application (A1) is submitted more than 13 months after the submission date of the original application, the ESI status will be recalculated based on the submission date of the resubmitted application. In addition, if you have successfully competed for a substantial NIH research award at the time of submitting the A1 resubmission, then you cannot have ESI status.


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