decorative image
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
decorative image
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

n/a Warning! This browser is not supported - Some features might not work. Try using a different browser such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.

Notices, Blog Posts, and References

We are continuously working to enhance scientific rigor and transparency in biomedical research. Learn more about the timeline of our efforts.

On This Page:

Guide Notices

Date Notice Details

December 3, 2019

  • Implementing Rigor and Transparency in NIH & AHRQ in Research Training Grant, Fellowship, and Career Development Award Applications
September 14, 2018
  • For research grant and career development award applications, beginning with applications due on January 25, 2019, the term "rigor of the prior research" will replace the term "scientific premise" under Significance.
  • In addition, applicants will be asked to describe plans to address weaknesses in the rigor of the prior research under Approach.
May 31, 2017
  • Reminds applicants proposing the use of established key biological and/or chemical resources to include a plan to authenticate these resources in the "Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources" attachment.
     
December 17, 2015
  • Upcoming requirements for formal instruction in rigorous experimental design and transparency to enhance reproducibility. This notice applies to institutional training grants (D43, T15, T32/TL1, T34, T35, T36, T37, T90/R90, and U2R), institutional career development awards (K12/KL2), and individual fellowships (F05, F30, F31, F32, F37, F38, and FI2).
December 15, 2015
  • PHS Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) instructions include additional guidance to address rigor under Accomplishments, Section B.2 and B.6.
     
October 13, 2015
  • Overview of updates to form instructions
  • Implementing Rigor and Transparency in NIH & AHRQ Research Grant Applications
  • Implementing  Rigor and Transparency in NIH & AHRQ Career Development Award Applications
June 9, 2015
  • Enhancing Reproducibility through Rigor and Transparency
  • Considering Sex as a Biological Variable in NIH-funded Research

  

Blog Posts

September 20, 2023

August 14, 2023

February 10, 2023

June 9, 2021

June 23, 2020

December 13, 2018

July 2, 2018

January 29, 2016: A series of Open Mike blog posts on each of the four focus areas of the rigor and transparency policy for research grant and career development award applications: 

October 30, 2015:

June 9, 2015

May 20, 2015

References