Co-Sponsorship of RFAs and PAs by Other ICs

This SOP has internal roles only.

Purpose

To enable ICs that share research areas to co-sponsor program announcements (PAs) and request for applications (RFAs).

Procedure

ICs often co-sponsor initiatives using the following methods.

• NIH-wide initiatives that all or most ICs support are discussed by EPMC and released in the NIH Guide. These include PAs, e.g., for training, fellowship, and career development programs; and RFAs, e.g., for NIH Roadmap initiatives.
• All other RFAs and PAs are sponsored by one or more ICs.
• In some cases, co-sponsorship is determined before an IC enters the draft RFA and PA into the NIH Early Notification System (ENS).
• Once in ENS, the system sends an early notification notice with a link to the draft RFA and PA to all ICs so each can determine 1) if there is overlap with its programmatic responsibilities, and if so 2) if it wants to co-sponsor the initiative. ICs have 14 days to respond.
• If they have concerns, ICs can initiate a hold to postpone publication in the NIH Guide for 14 days to resolve matters.
• At that point, NIH will publish a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) even if a hold hasn't been resolved.
• If an IC wishes to co-sponsor an RFA or PA, both ICs negotiate a revision to it.
• Any IC with an unresolved hold won't be listed on a FOA or Guide notice until it confirms its participation in a follow-up notice.
• Each IC has an internal process for determining whether it will co-sponsor and how much money it will contribute. At NIAID, this is done centrally, usually by the Executive Committee, which reviews and approves all proposed co-sponsorships.
• After peer review, participating organizations determine which applications to fund, how they will be funded, and who will fund what.

Program Officers

• If you have an initiative that could or should be co-sponsored by one or more ICs, discuss this with your division's leadership. Often you will identify these opportunities when you develop a concept.
• If co-sponsorship has been agreed to during initiative development, include this information in your draft RFA or PA.
• Complete an EN Information form, which includes instructions for sending DEA an electronic draft of the RFA or PA.
• If other ICs are interested in the initiative, follow the guidance for co-sponsored RFAs and PAs in NIH's OER Policy Announcement 1997-03 and ENS Web pages. Sponsoring and co-sponsoring ICs should do the following:
  • Define support mechanisms, such as R01 or P01, to be used.
  • Use the same application preparation guidelines, review criteria, project period, and budget limits so the application can be assigned to any of the sponsors and ensure a similar initial peer review process. If they cannot agree to the above, senior officials will resolve issues with the director of the NIH Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration, Office of Extramural Research.

Contacts

Applicants with questions should Contact Staff for Help.

Contact for NIAID Staff

Contact for NIAID Staff

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Links

Concept Development SOP

Dual Assignments SOP

Early Notification SOP

Requests for Applications SOP

Program Announcements SOP