Noticing More Notices of Special Interest?

June 17, 2019

You might have noticed an increased use of Guide Notices called Notices of Special Interest (NOSI), rather than full program announcements, to alert the community of specific research topics of interest. This is not a new concept, as some NIH institutes have been using this approach for many years – we are just formalizing it and expanding its use across all institutes.

Explore xTRACT Before Its Required Use in FY 2020

June 3, 2019

Beginning with RPPRs due on or after October 1, 2019 (FY 2020), recipients must use the xTRACT system to create the required training tables for submission with NIH and AHRQ T15, T32, T90/R90, and TL1 progress reports. While it is not mandatory to use xTRACT for new and renewal applications for the specified types of training grants, it may be required in future years.

New Application Requirements for Institutional Training Grants: Letter of Institutional Commitment to Harassment and Discrimination Protections

November 9, 2018

NIH takes the issue of sexual harassment and discrimination very seriously. As such, beginning with applications submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2019, institutional training grant applications (T15, T32, T34, T35, T36, T37, T90/R90, TL1, TL4) must include a letter that describes the institutional commitment to ensuring that proper policies, procedures, and oversight are in place to prevent discriminatory harassment and other discriminatory practices.

Revised NIH Grants Policy Statement for Fiscal Year 2019

November 9, 2018

NIH has released a revised Grants Policy Statement that applies to all NIH grants and cooperative agreements with budget periods beginning on or after October 1, 2018. This revised version does not introduce new policies, but it does incorporate all policy changes or updates made throughout the previous year and includes significant enhancements to improve the user interface, navigation, and search.

Protecting Human Research Participants (PHRP) Online Tutorial No Longer Available as of September 26, 2018

September 7, 2018

We recently released a policy notice announcing that as of September 26, 2018, the NIH will no longer be offering the Protecting Human Research Participants (PHRP) course. It is important to note that investigators are still required to comply with all aspects of the NIH policy Required Education in the Protection of Human Research Participants, and can do so through a different training program or course.

Working with Human Subjects? New Human Subjects System Replaces NIH’s Inclusion Management System

May 21, 2018

On June 9 a new Human Subjects System will replace the Inclusion Management System (IMS) currently used for reporting participant sex/gender, race, and ethnicity information for NIH grants. The new system consolidates human subject information submitted in applications and progress reports and will be used for all human subject-related post-submission updates as of its release.

xTRACT Anticipated to be Required in Fiscal Year 2020

February 22, 2018

In October 2015, eRA introduced xTRACT as an electronic system within eRA Commons for creating research training data tables and tracking trainee outcomes. xTRACT permits users to leverage data already in eRA Commons to pre-populate training tables with trainee names, institution information, award information, etc., which can be used both in new application submissions and for progress reports [the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)]. While use of xTRACT is not required currently, it is anticipated to be required as of FY 2020 for certain types of training grant applications. ….

Why Attend the Spring 2018 NIH Regional Seminar in Washington, DC

January 31, 2018

You’ve heard about it and may even know someone who attended, but is it right for you? With the next NIH Regional Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration coming to Washington DC May 2-4, let us help you decide. Or check out our YouTube video to get thoughts from previous attendees. If you are an investigator or research administrator new to working with the NIH grants process, don’t let the 2018 NIH Regional Seminar in Washington, D.C. pass you by. Registration is underway now and seminars typically sell out! Learn about the NIH grants process and polices directly from ~ 70 NIH & HHS program, grants management, review and policy staff. ….

Due Dates on Holidays/Weekends/NIH Office Closures

January 4, 2018

With winter weather upon us, remember that when a due date falls on a weekend, Federal holiday, or when Washington, D.C.-area Federal offices close (due to severe weather, for example), the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day. See NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-17-041 for additional details. If you suspect Federal offices in D.C. are closed due to severe weather you can ….