Speed Dating: Find Your Application Due Date 

Use these steps to quickly confirm which due dates are relevant for your next application. The answer depends on multiple factors: your choice of funding opportunity, scientific focus, and application type.  

Start with your chosen notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), go to Part 1, and check Key Dates section. 

In most NOFOs, the Key Dates section includes a table of application due dates. For an example, go to the Key Dates table in PAR-24-060. Here’s how to interpret the table: 

1. Choose the column of due dates that corresponds to your planned application type. For research that includes HIV or AIDS, use the AIDS column.  

2. Pick an application due date to target.  

3. In your target due date’s row, read across to find review dates and when your award could start.  

A small number of funding opportunities, including some Parent NOFOs, have not yet transitioned to include a key dates table within the NOFO text.  Instead, the Key Dates section lists individual dates or states that “Standard dates apply.” When using the Standard Due Dates page:  

1. Search for the Activity Code of your NOFO. (E.g., R01, R21.)  

2. Choose the row that corresponds to your planned application type. For research that includes HIV or AIDS, use the AIDS and AIDS-Related Applications row.  

3. In that row, pick an application due date to target. Your intended due date must be on or after the NOFO’s open date and before its expiration date. 

4. Note whether your target due date is in the Cycle I, II, or III column. Use the same column of Review and Award Cycles to find review dates and when your award could start.   

For all NOFOs, you should also confirm whether your planned application type is allowed. Check NOFO Part 2, Section II, Application Types Allowed. For example, Part II of PAR-24-060 allows only new and resubmission applications, not renewal.   

We encourage you to become familiar with our Submission Policies for handling events that impact due dates (e.g., due dates that fall on weekends or holidays, severe weather, or other disasters). 

On a related note, remember that your organization may set internal deadlines for steps leading up to the NIH due date. Confirm with your organization. 

For more information on understanding due dates, see this All About Grants podcast episode on application preparation timelines.