Be Prepared for Major Changes in NIH applications

Are you planning to submit an NIH grant application?  If so, please note that all applications intended for due dates on or after January 25, 2010* require the use of new forms and instructions. Major changes include:

• Restructured forms to align with review criteria
• Significantly shorter page limits

These changes apply to all competing applications, so whether you are submitting a new, renewal, resubmission or revision, you must take action now to ensure a successful submission!

1.    Return to the updated funding opportunity announcement or reissued parent announcement to download the new application package and instructions.

–    FOAs are in the process of being updated. See timeline for more information.

2.    Be sure to choose the correct forms.  Applications intended for due dates on or after January 25 require new forms.

–    For Electronic SF 424 (R&R):  ADOBE FORMS-B

–    For Paper PHS 398:  Revision date “June 2009”

3.    Read the updated FOA and new application instructions carefully

For more details the Enhancing Peer Review Web site which has a page dedicated to the upcoming application changes, as well as a number of additional resources including:

• A short video overview of the changes
• FAQs
• List of related policy notices
• A Training and Communications Resources page, and more.

*Applicants eligible for continuous submission who are submitting R01, R21 and R34 AIDS applications should use the old SF 424 (R&R) ADOBE-FORMS-A on or before February 7, 2010 and the new SF 424 (R&R) ADOBE-FORMS-B thereafter.  Non-AIDS applications from applicants eligible for continuous submission need to use ADOBE-FORMS-A on or before January 24, and the ADOBE-FORMS-B on or after January 25, 2010.

NCMHD RFA ON Health Disparitities

The NCMHD Health Disparities Research on Minority and Underserved Populations (R01) seeks innovative research addressing elements that eliminates health disparities.  Research focused on disease and/or conditions that disproportionately affect racial/ethnic minorities is a growing field and has been employed lately in understanding dynamics contributing to health disparities.  Funding for this FOA will support investigators who propose to conduct health disparities research using its principles to improve health inequities.  The research should take into account the characteristics of health systems and health seeking behaviors that propagate disparities.  The focus of targeted research population is diverse.   It includes ethnic racial minorities, medically underserved and vulnerable populations, and rural and low-income populations.  Several approaches could be used when designing programs; specific interventions may include but are not limited to biological, behavioral change strategies, lifestyle factors, environmental, social and structural barriers, economics, institutional and cultural, family influences, delivery system interventions, medical procedures and regimens (including alternative therapy), medical and assistive devices and technologies.

NCMHD Disparities Research and Education Advancing Mission (DREAM) Career Transition Award (K22)

This purpose of the NCMHD DREAM Career Transition Award (K22) is to facilitate the transition of early stage investigators working in health disparities or areas that address health disparity conditions and populations from the mentored stage of career development to the independent stage of investigator-initiated health disparities research.  The program will provide an opportunity for investigators to develop solid research skills during the initial period of up to two years of study and research within the environment of the NIH Intramural Research Programs located at the NIH.  The award may also include a follow-on period of up to three years of salary and mentored research support at the candidate’s current institution or organization or an academic or research grantee institution of the candidate’s choice.  This period of extramural support will facilitate the transition to independence as a researcher in health disparities research.