Preface

The Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award program was initiated by the National Institutes of Health in FY l986. Since that time, the MERIT Award has become a symbol of scientific achievement in the research community.

Summary

Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Awards are offered to a limited number of investigators who have demonstrated superior competence and outstanding productivity during their previous research endeavors and who are likely to continue to perform in an outstanding manner in the future.

The principal feature of the MERIT Award is the opportunity to obtain up to ten years of research support in two segments and thereby relieve awardees of the need to prepare frequent renewal applications. Specifically, an initial 4 to 5-year award is accompanied by an opportunity to obtain an extension of 3-5 years through an expedited review of a statement of the accomplishments during the initial period and a brief outline of plans for the extension period. Awardees wishing to continue their research after the conclusion of the MERIT Award funding must submit a competitive R01 application.

Investigators cannot apply for MERIT Awards. After new and competing renewal investigator-initiated research project grant (R01) applications are reviewed in the usual manner, NIAAA staff and the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism give further consideration to those R01 applications that meet the criteria for a MERIT Award. The Director, NIAAA, notifies those investigators who are selected.

To obtain an extension of the MERIT Award, awardees must submit to the NIAAA, at least 16 months before the end of the initial project period, a progress report accompanied by a 1-page abstract of the research plan for the extension period and a proposed budget. NIAAA program staff and the NIAAA Council review the submitted material and make a recommendation to the Director, NIAAA, regarding the extension. Under certain circumstances, the Institute and the NIAAA Council may consider a MERIT extension to be inappropriate, and recommend instead that the applicant submit a competitive R01 application.

Objective

The MERIT Award provides long-term, stable support to investigators whose research competence and productivity are distinctly superior and who are likely to continue to perform in an outstanding manner. It is intended to foster their continued creativity and lessen the administrative burdens associated with the preparation and submission of research grant applications. 

General Features

1. Investigators may not apply for a MERIT Award. Competing renewal (Type 2, at least in the 6^th year of support) investigator-initiated R01 research project grant applications from established investigators that are prepared and submitted in accordance with conventional NIH procedures are the basis upon which NIAAA staff and members of the NIAAA Council identify, review, and select individuals to be offered a MERIT Award.
2. MERIT Award must be accepted by the principal investigator in order to be eligible for the extension based on an expedited review of the research progress and plans for the extension period. In order for the MERIT Award to be activated, the principal investigator must send a letter of acceptance, countersigned by an institutional official.
3. Recipients of a MERIT Award may have other research support. However, only the MERIT Award is eligible for a MERIT extension.
4. Supplemental applications to existing grants will not be considered for MERIT Awards, but MERIT awardees may apply for and receive competitive supplements to their MERIT Award grant.
5. Research supported by the MERIT Award should be in an area for which the principal investigator is well known for scientific achievements and is his or her primary scientific interest.
6. MERIT Awards are administered in accordance with NIH grant policies and procedures, with Facilities and Administrative costs paid to the awardee institution in accord with applicable Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) policy.
   1. Unexpended funds in any budget period of a MERIT Award (other than the last) remain available to the principal investigator in subsequent budget periods (i.e., unexpended funds are automatically carried over throughout the entire period of the award) as long as the principal investigator’s institution and the grant are included in either expanded authorities.
   2. Funds restricted from expenditure by a specific term or condition on the Notice of Grant Award may not be automatically carried over without written prior approval by the NIAAA.
7. MERIT Awards are transferable to another institution in accordance with NIH grant policies. Whenever a change of institution is contemplated, the principal investigator should contact the NIAAA as soon as possible.
8. MERIT Awards are not transferable to another individual.

The MERIT Award program applies only to individual research project grants (R01s). Multiple-PI grants are not eligible for MERIT awards. 

Eligibility

The candidates under consideration for a MERIT Award must meet all of the following criteria.