Late Applications

Purpose

To define when NIH may accept a late application.

Procedure

NIH expects applicants to submit applications on time. In certain circumstances, NIH's Center for Scientific Review (CSR) may accept an application late if a PI has an NIH-accepted reason for tardiness.

NIH-accepted reasons include federal electronic systems issues, natural disasters, and personal tragedies. For natural disasters, NIH issues special NIH Guide notices with instructions for late applications.

Neither CSR nor NIAID may give permission in advance for a late submission. Depending on who conducts the initial peer review, some practices are different—see below.

Investigators eligible for continuous submission may submit investigator-initiated R01, R21, and R34 applications any time. This privilege does not apply to funding opportunity announcements that have only one receipt date or RFAs with multiple receipt dates.

Investigators and Applicants

• Read examples of acceptable reasons for submitting late applications in Rules for Late Application in the Strategy for NIH Funding.
  • If you experience a problem with a federal electronic system that will prevent you from submitting your application on time, follow NIH's Guidelines for Applicants Experiencing System Issues.
• To learn guidelines for submitting additional materials late, read If You Need to Send Revised Information in the Strategy for NIH Funding.
• If you're submitting an application for an RFA or PAR to be reviewed by NIAID, contact the scientific review officer (SRO) listed in the announcement before the receipt date to discuss your situation and how much extra time you are seeking.
  • Your SRO will evaluate your request.
  • If your SRO is willing to process your application for review within that timeframe, he or she will let CSR know.
  • CSR makes the final decision on whether to accept the late application.
• If you’re applying to an NIH-wide parent program announcement (like the parent R01), your application will be reviewed by a CSR study section.  NIAID will not forward an extension request on your behalf to CSR.
• When submitting a late application, you must include a cover letter describing the reason for the delay. See Create a Cover Letter in the Strategy for NIH Funding for tips.
  • Sending a late electronic application:
    • Before sending in a late application, read the instructions in the SF 424 Application Guide for your grant application package.
    • Explain the reasons for your delay in the PHS 398 Grant Application Cover Letter File form, and submit this electronically with your application.
    • Learn more at NIAID's Prepare to Submit in the Strategy for NIH Funding and Corrected or Late Electronic Applications questions and answers.
  • Sending a late paper application:
    • Before sending in a late application, read the PHS 398 instructions on late applications in Section 2.14, Application Submission Dates.
    • Explain your reasons for the delay in a cover letter that you will include in the application.

Investigators Eligible for Continuous Submission

• Confirm you are eligible for continuous submission—see NIH's Continuous Submission page for a list of who is eligible.
• If eligible, apply for investigator-initiated R01, R21, or R34 grants (both AIDS and non-AIDS related) at any time instead of on standard submission dates.
• When you apply, include a cover letter with the following information:
  • Statement that you're an appointed member of an NIH advisory group.
  • Name of the advisory group you're serving on.
  • Your period of service on that advisory group.
• Note that if you apply for continuous submission you may not request assignment to a study section.
• Read more in Continuous Submission questions and answers.

NIAID Extramural Staff

• For responsibilities, see the Accepting Late Applications SOP.

Contacts

Applicants with questions should contact the scientific review officer listed in the funding opportunity announcement.

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

Corrected or Late Electronic Applications questions and answers

Paper Applications Only questions and answers

PHS 398 instructions (for paper application)

PHS 398 instructions 2.15 Submission, Review, and Award Cycles

R01 Planning to Award Timeline by Review Cycle

SF 424 Application Guide in your grant application package (for electronic application)

Strategy for NIH Funding

• Prepare to Submit in Part 4
• Rules for Late Applications in Part 4

Timing Factors That Affect Your Application and Award