Request for Primary IC Assignment

Purpose

To request the NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR) to refer grant applications to NIAID, including requests from either applicants or NIAID staff.

Procedure

When CSR receives competing applications, it assigns them to one or more institutes (typically two) for possible funding, according to NIH referral guidelines. Also, investigators can request assignment to an institute in their application cover letter.

Program officers may request a change in an application's primary assignment either 1) before initial peer review to correct a CSR assignment or 2) after peer review from another institute so NIAID can fund it.

Investigators and program officers can also request a dual assignment either before or after peer review. To request dual assignment, see the Dual Assignments SOP.

Investigators and Applicants

• Include a cover letter with your application requesting assignment to NIAID. For advice, read Put the Finishing Touches on Your Application in the Strategy for NIH Funding, under the section titled It’s a Good Idea to Request an Institute and Study Section.
• If you are not happy with a CSR assignment, request a change directly from CSR or ask an NIAID program officer to make the request for you. Follow instructions in Ensure You Get the Right Assignments in the Strategy for NIH Funding.

Program Officers

• Ask to be the primary institute only if your division has the money to fund the application and you are interested in it.
  • After peer review, funding comes from your division's discretionary funds.
  • Ask your management if the grant can go on its end-of-year request list.
  • Keep in mind that your division will budget for few of these applications.
• Tell PIs that NIAID funds most applications by the payline. Go to the NIAID Paylines and Funding.

Before peer review

• Request reassignment of a grant application to NIAID after talking to the PI and contacting the program officer from the other institute.

After peer review

• Do not request reassignment of a grant application before the summary statement is entered in IMPAC.
• If a program officer from another institute does not agree to reassign an application, request a dual assignment. See the Dual Assignments SOP.

Contacts

For assignment or review questions,contact the Center for Scientific Review, or if the application will be reviewed at NIAID, contact the NIAID Scientific Review Program or the appropriate program officer. For more information, see Contact Staff for Help in the Strategy for NIH Funding.

Contact for NIAID Staff

If you have knowledge to share or want more information on this topic, email deaweb@niaid.nih.gov with the title of this page or its URL and your question or comment. Thanks for helping us clarify and expand our knowledge base.

Links

Changing the Locus of Peer Review SOP

Dual Assignments SOP

IMPAC SOP

NIAID Request for Assignment Changes from CSR SOP

Strategy for NIH Funding

• Create a Cover Letter
• Requesting an Institute and Study Section
• Ensure You Get the Right Assignments in the Strategy for NIH Funding