November 12, 2009
News Articles
Opportunities and Resources
Advice Corner
New Funding Opportunities
News Articles
The Art of Application
NIH is telling reviewers that the first assessment should be: "Is it worthwhile to carry out the proposed study?"
Shorter applications scored for overall impact—now may just be the time for a new application strategy.
If the devil is in the details, that devil is now gone. In the new paradigm, impact trumps experimental details. But what should a shorter application look like?
While we cannot say for sure what peer reviewers will expect of the new applications, we can tell you what NIH will expect of reviewers.
These reviewer instructions from the NIH Center for Scientific Review hold important clues for applicants:
Your ultimate task is to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have an impact on advancing our understanding of the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. Thus, the first assessment should be "Is it worthwhile to carry out the proposed study?"
This new approach does not bypass conventional wisdom that investigators need the skills to carry out the research. They still do.
But with the primary emphasis on impact, even the right skill set and elegant science may not fare well in review unless the reviewers think the research tackles a high-impact problem.
Begin at the Beginning
With the new paradigm shift—impact over details—your biggest challenge may be up front: finding the right area to study.
In case you need inspiration, we offer this Haiku.
grant writing wisdom
impact, impact, and impact
essence of success
To be considered high-impact, your next application should show how your research can move its field of science forward.
Impact, Significance, Feasibility
Reviewers assess the likelihood of a project to have a powerful impact on its area of science—the basis of the overall impact score.
Impact combines the significance of the topic and the feasibility of your approach.
Impact combines the significance of the topic and the feasibility of your approach—the likelihood that the work will achieve its goals. Impact does not reflect the number of people affected by a disease.
To find a topic that's high-impact to your proposed research area, first consider the significance of the research to the field. Ask: can the topic pass the so what? test. If reviewers do not believe the question is important, it won't matter that your approach is feasible.
Still, you don't want to stray too far from your expertise. No matter how significant the question, a flawed approach is unlikely to produce results, hurting the overall impact score.
Think Strategically
Here's a strategy we suggest to help you find your niche:
- Choose research that lends itself to a problem you have expertise to pursue.
- New investigators should not stray far from their area of expertise.
- More seasoned investigators can go farther afield.
- Ask yourself how people who are likely to be your reviewers might view the potential impact of your idea—try to get out of your skin and into theirs.
- Identify three to five people who would probably serve as your primary and other assigned reviewers.
- Ask yourself whether they would likely view your project as having a high impact on its field.
- Be aware that you are not allowed to request reviewers in your cover letter.
- When you submit your application, include a cover letter requesting a study section that seems like a good match.
- Talk to experts in your institution, other colleagues, and NIAID program officers to get their perspective on the impact of your proposed research.
- Give a presentation on a proposed topic and possible approaches to get feedback.
- Rate the impact of each problem you are considering on a scale from 1 to 9, the NIH review scale.
- If it scores poorly, go back and rethink the idea.
We recognize that trying to get into the heads of reviewers is truly hard and there's no guarantee this approach will succeed.
But to not try is a mistake. Your application must appeal to your reviewers, and impact—together with feasibility—is now the primary basis of that appeal.
When you write the application, connect the dots. Don't assume reviewers will make the connection between the importance of the problem and how it will move the field forward. The more diverse the review group, the more you'll need to explain the significance of your research.
In some ways, NIH has made applying easier. The new application structure is aligned with the review criteria, so you no longer have to guess where to address them.
And, if you follow the approach outlined above you will have already figured out the importance of the science before you start writing the application.
What's Ahead
We know that people are confused about the difference between significance and overall impact and whether impact is judged mostly using the significance criterion. NIH is preparing guidance on this subject, and we will have more to say about it in a later issue.
Send us your feedback and suggestions as we refine our Web-based information and advice during the next year.
We are now revising our Web pages with new information and strategies for the shorter applications. Meanwhile, be careful when reading any pages that have a yellow caution box at the top since the text may be misleading.
During the next year, we plan to refine our Web-based information and advice as we learn more about how the enhanced peer review changes are working in practice. We invite you to give us feedback and suggestions for this effort by emailing deaweb@niaid.nih.gov.
Learn more about the new applications at NIH's Enhancing Peer Review at NIH, including Details of Application Changes and Table of Page Limits. For more on scoring, see Scoring System and Procedure.
Our previous articles on this topic include "Are You Ready for the New Forms?," "Get a Handle on the New Application Forms," and "Prime Yourself for New Applications, Peer Review."
NRSA News: Fs Open to Scientists at Small Businesses, Ts Go Electronic
As of January 25, 2010, training grant applications must be submitted electronically.
NIH issued important notices last month regarding fellowships and training grants. In case you missed them, here's a brief summary.
Big News About Small Businesses and Fellowships
Thanks to revised eligibility criteria, scientists from small businesses may now apply for individual fellowships. For NIAID, the change applies to the following opportunities:
NIH announced the news in the October 16, 2009, Guide notice.
Training Grants Get on Board With Electronic Submission
(New on June 18, 2010: NIAID now accepts training grant applications on September 25 for non-AIDS and January 7 for AIDS-related applications).
With its October 26, 2009, Guide notice, NIH made it official: as of January 25, 2010, training grant applications must be submitted electronically.
That means NIAID's applicants should go this route for Institutional Research Training Grants (T32) and Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grants (T35) starting with the September 25, 2010, submission date.
If you're planning to resubmit, understand that if you originally applied with a paper application, your resubmission must be electronic.
NIH is updating funding opportunity announcements (FOAs), which should be posted by November 25, 2009. As always, carefully read the instructions in the relevant FOA and the SF 424 Application Guide.
Keep in mind that you have some steps to take before you can submit electronically, including requesting an eRA Commons account. Learn more at Get Ready Now to Apply Electronically in the Strategy for NIH Funding.
Attention ARRA Awardees: Report Clinical Participants
Remember to submit separate tables for studies funded with non-ARRA dollars.
Are you using Recovery Act monies to fund a clinical research study? Take note: the
NIH Policy on Reporting Race and Ethnicity Data: Subjects in Clinical Research applies to ARRA awards, which means you must report data on participants.
Use the Targeted/Planned Enrollment Table for new clinical research protocols and the Inclusion Enrollment Report for ongoing protocols. Submit separate tables for studies funded with non-ARRA dollars. For more information, read the October 16, 2009, Guide notice.
To learn more about reporting on participants, see Special Populations: Women, Children, Minorities in our NIAID Human Subjects Application and Grant Handbook.
ARRA Success Stories—We Want You
Share your successes, both big and small, with us and your community.
Don't forget to share your story of how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) helped you, your lab, and your research.
It's easy to do—just fill out our simple form at How Have ARRA Funds Helped You?
Thank you to those who have already sent their ARRA Success Stories to share. We're happy to hear ARRA is making a difference.
Opportunities and Resources
The Roadmap Proposal Less Traveled
To apply for a Transformative R01, your application should offer a bold approach to a fundamental problem.
If you have an innovative, high-impact idea, NIH has a funding opportunity for you.
The Transformative Research Program is looking for creative, high-risk, high impact projects. To apply for one of these R01s, your application should offer a bold approach to a fundamental problem.
It isn't just the topics that are different. Applications are shorter too. For example, you have only eight pages for your Research Plan, which has only one part, Research Design and Methods.
For a table that compares this application to other R01s, go to 2010 Application Process in the Roadmap's 2010 Frequently Asked Questions.
Applications are due January 22, 2010. For more information, go to the October 23, 2009, Guide notice for the request for applications, and read the Transformative R01 Program Overview.
Not sure if your idea is appropriate? Email T_R01@mail.nih.gov.
Are You Eligible for Continuous Submission?
If you aren't on the list and believe you should be, contact the eRA Help Desk.
Two new events affect people who serve on NIH review committees, who may be eligible to apply for an R01, R21, or R34 at any time.
First, NIH extended that privilege to people who are not appointed members of NIH review and advisory groups but have been regular or temporary members six times in 18 months. Read more in the October 1, 2009, Guide notice.
Second, NIH posted a List of Eligible Reviewers at Peer Review Policies and Practices. It shows people who are eligible for continuous submission from July 15 through September 30, 2010, and will be revised annually.
If you aren't on the list and believe you should be, contact the eRA Help Desk.
To learn more about how to become eligible for continuous submission, see the June 25, 2009, Guide notice and our article "It's Good to Be a Reviewer."
Continuous Submission and Big Grant Applications
Everyone planning a big grant application must request permission on time.
If you're eligible for continuous submission and plan to send a big grant application, you must request permission six weeks before the original deadline.
Your application qualifies as big if you request total direct costs of $500,000 or more in any year of the grant. Learn more about what to do in our Big Grants SOP.
To see if you're eligible for continuous submission, read the article above "Are You Eligible for Continuous Submission?"
Getting a Handle on 2009 H1N1 Influenza
NIAID is coming at the fast-spreading virus from several angles.
Chances are good that by now, 2009 H1N1 influenza has hit close to home, striking either you or someone you know.
Since the outbreak in April, CDC estimates that millions of people in the U.S. have been infected by the virus—and numbers continue to climb.
In fact, with prevalence surging, President Obama declared the H1N1 flu a national emergency on October 24, giving doctors and hospitals more flexibility in handling the waves of patients.
With transmission spreading and deaths increasing, finding prevention and treatment solutions is a top priority. As part of NIH's efforts, NIAID is working on flu through both its intramural labs and extramural research.
Here's a snapshot of the Institute's vigorous approach along with a big picture look at how widespread H1N1 flu has become.
What We're Up Against—The Numbers
In June, just two months after 2009 H1N1 flu was first identified, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic.
In the U.S., confirmed and probable cases of H1N1 infection went from two in April to almost 44,000 by July 24, including 302 deaths.
Since CDC discontinued counts after that date, no precise measure exists. However, late last month, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden stated, "We have had up until now many millions of cases of pandemic influenza in the U.S. ..."
Worldwide, the WHO statistics look like this: over 482,300 confirmed cases and over 6,000 deaths as of November 1. These figures understate actual occurrences of H1N1 flu.
For latest activity, see the following:
NIAID's Plan of Attack
NIAID is coming at the fast-spreading virus from several angles. Through our 2009 H1N1 Influenza Research Program, scientists are studying the virus's unique characteristics, working to improve diagnostics, and testing antivirals and vaccines.
Starting With the Basics
NIAID's basic research on 2009 H1N1 flu covers a lot of ground, encompassing molecular analysis, pathogenesis and virulence, viral evolution, and immune response.
Additionally, investigators are studying transmissibility to learn how the virus moves from animals to humans, between animals, and between humans.
- Scientists at our Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS) are working on control measures for 2009 H1N1 and other influenza viruses.
- Research includes conducting animal surveillance to collect, identify, and sequence the genomes of influenza viruses circulating in swine.
- For ongoing Center activities, see 2009 H1N1 Outbreak
- In our intramural labs, investigators are studying how the 2009 H1N1 virus replicates, how easily it is transmitted, and the types of pathologic changes the infection produces. For more information, go to NIAID Labs Meet the H1N1 Challenge.
Recently, in-house researchers found important clues to flu's antigenic drift, where viruses change the shape of their major surface protein. Read more at NIAID Scientists Propose New Explanation for Flu Virus Antigenic Drift.
Aiming for Better Prevention
NIAID is conducting clinical trials to evaluate the safety of the H1N1 vaccine and assess its ability to induce protective immune responses.
For example, H1N1 Vaccine Clinical Studies in People with Asthma and H1N1 Vaccine Clinical Studies in HIV-Infected Individuals are studying immune response in special populations. For other studies, see H1N1 Influenza Research Updates.
At NIAID's Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units (VTEUs), trials are examining the following:
- Dosage (15 versus 30 micrograms) and number of doses.
- Different age groups: children, adults, elderly.
- Safety of vaccine in special populations, such as pregnant women.
- Timing of administering seasonal flu vaccine with 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine.
- Safety of the vaccine and level of immune response it produces in combination with adjuvants.
Additionally, our Laboratory of Infectious Diseases supports clinical trials comparing how previous exposure to similar viruses may affect adults' responses to live-attenuated and inactivated H1N1 flu vaccines as well as evaluating children's responses to the vaccines.
Improving Diagnostics
Coughing, headaches, fever, chills, fatigue. Sounds like the flu, but is it seasonal or 2009 H1N1? Distinguishing the two can make a big difference when it comes to slowing the spread of the virus and treating symptoms. That's why diagnostics is a key part of NIAID's 2009 influenza research program.
To create better diagnostics for 2009 H1N1, NIAID is developing diagnostic platforms that can rapidly identify a variety of pathogens in clinical samples.
We have already funded research that has led to important diagnostic tools. Read New Test Tells a Patient's Flu Type–and Subtype–in Minutes, Not Days and The "Flu Chip"—a New Way to Diagnose the Flu.
Finding Other Treatment Options
Existing antivirals like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) work, but the virus may eventually become resistant to them.
To prepare for that possibility, NIAID has new influenza antivirals—including a long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor—in the pipeline and will evaluate how well they block the 2009 H1N1 strain.
H1N1 News and Information
To learn more about 2009 H1N1 influenza, check out these resources:
Advice Corner
Reader Questions
Feel free to send us a question at deaweb@niaid.nih.gov. After responding to you, we may include your question in the newsletter, incorporate it into the NIAID Research Funding site, or both.
"After my Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) application and resubmission were not funded, I am considering submitting a substantially different application with some overlap. Would this be considered a new application?"—Suman Laal, NYU Langone Medical Center
Good question. Referral officers in the NIH Center for Scientific Review will reject your new application if they decide it has significant overlap with a previous one, and CSR has software that makes it easy to compare applications for similar writing.
A good rule of thumb is to make sure at least half the application is revised; get more information in the links listed below.
Here is a strategy to avoid rejection because of overlap:
- Write the new application from scratch, using none of the phrasing from the previous application. Ideally, a different author should write the new application without looking at the first application.
- In your cover letter, state that you have submitted some of the ideas in a previous application (give the application identification number) and explain how the new application is significantly different.
Find more ideas in Part 6. If Not Funded particularly Options if Your Application Isn't Funded, and What Qualifies as a New Application? in How to Renew Your Application in the Strategy for NIH Funding.
"I have two questions: Are bonuses included in direct costs, and if so, are they added to the base salary? Can amounts in excess of the salary cap be included as an indirect cost?"—Mark Caputo, Advanced Life Sciences
Please contact your business office to find out how it wants you to include bonuses. NIAID pays for these if they are part of your normal salary, but we don't support bonuses for personal or institutional performance.
For your question about amounts in excess of the 2009 salary cap ($196,700 this calendar year), your institution must pick that up. See PI Salary Cap and Stipends for more information.
If you need more help, contact your grants management specialist, or find one at Grants Management Program Contacts.
"Can ARRA money be used to pay for any direct and indirect expenses that occurred before the official start date for my STTR award?"—Ken Piller, SoyMeds, Inc.
The preaward spending policy for ARRA Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants is the same as for non-ARRA STTRs.
You can spend ARRA money within 90 days of your project start date, as long as your expenses are allowable under your grant. So if you spend your money the same way you normally would, you should be fine—but check with your business officials to be sure.
If you still have questions, contact your grants management specialist.
"Whom can I contact to ask questions about applying for a Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)?"—Steven Hong, Tufts Medical Center
You may email AITrainingHelpDesk@niaid.nih.gov. Before contacting that group, however, you may be able to find the answers you're looking for on our Research Funding Web site. Specifically:
"When will NIAID release the remaining paylines?"—an anonymous reader
Unfortunately, we don't know when our budget office will release the rest of our paylines. The timing depends on several factors, including the passage of our appropriations, which are beyond NIAID's control. Learn more at Paylines and Budget Pages Change Throughout the Year.
Our Paylines and Funding page is up to date, and it links to several resources that explain how paylines work.
Since you subscribe to our newsletter, you can choose to receive email notification when we set new paylines. Go to NIAID Funding Newsletter and Email Alerts Subscription Center, and select the "NIAID Paylines and Budget" interest category.
If you sign up, we will send you an alerts about actual (not interim) paylines as soon as we have them.
New Funding Opportunities
See these and older announcements at NIAID Funding Opportunities List.
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