Know Which Pandemic-Related Extensions Are Still in Effect

As you know, NIH has helped extramural investigators continue their research and alleviate hardships throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by providing continual guidance and support. This included issuing policies on extensions.

Given the numerous Guide notices NIH has published since March 2020, it might be helpful to now know which policies are still in effect. As a quick and handy reference, the chart below shows NIAID and NIH notices (in reverse chronological order).

For other notices, go to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients of NIH Funding. Also check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on COVID-19 Flexibilities.

Policies In Effect

COVID-19-Related Notices

NOT-OD-21-152 Release Date: August 2, 2021: Extension of COVID Flexibilities for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research

Extends existing COVID-19 flexibilities permitting online training in the responsible conduct of research through December 31, 2021, even if the declared pandemic is rescinded before then. These flexibilities apply to all awards that require instruction in the responsible conduct of research, including research training (T) grants, fellowships (Fs), individual and institutional career development (K) awards, and research education awards, e.g., R25.

NOT-AI-21-061 Release Date: June 28, 2021—Notice To Extend Eligibility for Submission of K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award Applications (and Physician-Scientist K99/R00) Due to COVID–Related Disruptions [A continuation of NOT-AI-20-068]

Extends the special exception from the earlier notice NOT-AI-20-068 and informs the extramural community that due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, NIAID will now provide a two-receipt cycle extension (roughly eight additional months) of eligibility for individuals who were eligible to apply for the K99/R00, under normal eligibility rules, between June/July 2021 and February/March 2022 (inclusive of these dates).

In addition, those who normally would have been eligible to apply for the June/July 2022 receipt date will have a one-receipt cycle (roughly four months) extension. Note that this eligibility extension applies to AIDS and non-AIDS applications.

NOT-AI-21-062 Release Date: June 25, 2021—Notice To Extend Eligibility for Submission to PAR-19-371, NIAID Career Transition Award (K22, Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Due to COVID-Related Disruptions. [A continuation of NOT-AI-20-067]

Extends the special exception from earlier notice NOT-AI-20-067 and informs the extramural community that due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, NIAID will now provide at least a two-receipt cycle extension (roughly eight additional months) of eligibility for individuals whose eligibility to apply for the K22, under normal eligibility rules (including the resubmission policy as defined in NOT-OD-18-197), is expiring between June/July 2021 and February/March 2022 (inclusive of these dates).

In addition, those who normally would have been eligible to apply for the June/July 2022 receipt date will have a one-receipt cycle (roughly four months) extension. Note that this eligibility extension applies to AIDS and non-AIDS applications.

NOT-OD-21-106 Release Date: April 15, 2021—Continuation of Temporary Extension of Eligibility for the NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award During the COVID-19 Pandemic. [A continuation of NOT-OD-20-158]

Extends the special exception from the earlier notice NOT-OD-20-158 and informs the extramural community that due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, NIH will be extending the two-receipt cycle extension (roughly eight additional months) of eligibility for prospective, eligible candidates for a K99/R00 application. Individuals whose final due date eligibility based on a 48-month eligibility window was either June/July 2021 or October/November 2021 will have an automatic, two-cycle extension of eligibility (to February/March 2022 and June/July 2022, respectively).

The two-receipt cycle extension in eligibility under this notice applies only to applicants for a K99/R00 award under one of the parent funding opportunity announcements (PA-20-187, PA-20-188, and PA-20-189). The notice explains important exceptions to eligibility.

NOT-OD-21-095 Release Date: March 29, 2021—Extending the Special Exception to the NIH/AHRQ/NIOSH Post-Submission Material Policy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: January 2022 Council [A continuation of NOT-OD-20-179]

Extends the special exception from earlier notices (NOT-OD-20-123, NOT-OD-20-163, and NOT-OD-20-179) to applications submitted for the January 2022 Council round.

For applications submitted for January 2022 Council (beginning with applications submitted for the May 25, 2021 due date for Fall 2021 review meetings), NIH as well as AHRQ and NIOSH will accept a one-page update with preliminary data as post-submission materials for applications submitted under all activity codes, only if the funding opportunity announcement used for submission allowed preliminary data in the application. One page of preliminary data will be accepted for single component applications or for each component of a multi-component application.

NOT-OD-21-026 Release Date: November 4, 2020—Extended Guidance for Applicants Preparing Applications During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Extends the guidance from NOT-OD-20-122 for applicants preparing applications during the COVID-19 pandemic until further notice. Note that applicants should not include in their applications contingency plans regarding COVID-19. Contingency plans will not be considered in peer review but if needed, COVID-19 contingency plans will be requested and carefully considered by NIH staff before funding.

NOT-OD-20-086 Release Date: March 12, 2020 Flexibilities Available to Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19

Identifies NIH’s administrative short-term flexibilities to help applicants and recipients with managing administrative, financial management, and audit requirements under the Uniform Guidance “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.” NIH issued related extension notices; e.g., NOT-OD-21-026, NOT-OD-20-122.

For an update on this notice, see FAQ 12. OMB has now rescinded many of the previous flexibilities outlined in NOT-OD-20-086. If my institution requested and received approval for a flexibility prior to June 16, 2020, does that approval still apply?