January 25, 2010 marked the first due date when applicants needed to use restructured application forms and instructions, which were developed as part of the Enhancing Peer Review initiative. We were pleased that, overall, applications received complied with the new format and used the proper forms.

NIH is requesting public comment on a revision to the definition of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in the “NIH Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research.” Public comments must be submitted no later than March 25, 2010.

Twelve NIH grantees received the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). This award recognizes some of the finest scientists and engineers in the country.

After the “Enhancing Peer Review” Guide Notice was published on December 2, 2009 we received many inquiries by NIH staff and the extramural scientific community regarding the distinction between Significance and Overall Impact. To help clarify a working group was created to help provide additional guidance on this issue.

Exciting learning and networking opportunities await you at the bi-annual NIH Regional Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration! If you can’t make it to the April seminar in Philadelphia, consider registering soon for the Portland event in June.

The January 25, 2010 switch to new restructured application forms and instructions, including shorter page limits, apply to all competing applications – including resubmissions.

1) What happens if I inadvertently use the wrong page limits in my application?

2) In my new application, where should I include information about my Preliminary Studies?

3) What is the new requirement for personal statement in the Biosketch?

4) I am eligible for continuous submission and am planning on submitting an R01, R21 or R34 AIDS application. I understand that I may use the old SF 424 (R&R) ADOBE-FORMS-A for submissions on or before February 7, 2010. However, I see that February 7, 2010 is a Sunday. Does this mean that I have until the next business day (Monday, February 8, 2010) to submit using the old forms?

This week, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released detailed FY2009 funding information for 218 major areas based on the knowledge management and computerized, standardized tools known as the Research, Condition and Disease Categorization process. The RCDC process was initiated at the request of Congress to provide consistent and transparent NIH research funding information.

It is now possible to create a bibliography in the newly refurbished My Bibliography section of MyNCBI. These citations will also appear in your eRA Commons Profile and can be uploaded to your eSNAP.

Institutional Training grant applications are transitioning to electronic submission for due dates of January 25 and beyond. Applications originally submitted in paper for earlier due dates that are being resubmitted as amended applications must also be submitted electronically.