A. GENERAL QUESTIONS
Q: What is the purpose of the NINR Research Centers program?
Q: What are the types of Centers supported by NINR?
Q: What are Exploratory Center Grants (P20)?
Q: What are Core Center/Centers of Excellence Grants (P30)?
Q: What are Program Project Grants (P01)?
Q: What research topics are studied in NINR-supported Centers?
Q: Where are the current NINR-supported Centers?
Q: Can I get involved in a clinical research study conducted at an NINR-supported Center?
B. QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT
Q: Who is eligible to apply?
Q: What are the page limits for P30 and P20 grant applications?
Q: What factors will reviewers consider when assessing my application?
Q: Which “study section” will be reviewing these applications?
Q: Will identifying a specific clinical setting/disease (e.g. heart failure, diabetes) be viewed as too narrow?
Q: Does my application need to be postmarked or received by the receipt date?
Q: Will reviewers be assigned to review the full application, or one or two sections of each application?
Q: Should information (e.g. biosketches) be duplicated in different sections of the application?
Q: Must the PI (Center Director) of the application be the most experienced member of the research team?
Q: What percent effort is required of the PI for a Center grant?
Q: Can a Center PI/Director or Core Leader also be the recipient of a pilot award from the Center?
Q: Are there limits to the number of investigators that can be included in a Center application?
Q: Can a Center application have multi-PIs?
Q: Can community members who are not affiliated with a participating university be co-investigators in a Center?
Q: What is the role of an Advisory Committee to a Center?
Q: How do I know if my institution meets the institution eligibility requirements?
Q: Can an institution/organization have more than one Center?
Q: Are there limitations to the number of appendices or articles to be included in the appendices?
Q: Can color be used in appendix materials?
Q: How many CDs of appendix materials should be sent with the application and to whom should they be sent?
Q: Can I use a previously submitted Center application as my template?
Q: Should a single budget be included in the application, or should each component have a separate budget?
Q: Is cost-sharing allowed?
Q: Can funds budgeted for the support of meetings be used to pay for food or beverages?
A. GENERAL QUESTIONS
Q: What is the purpose of the NINR Centers program?
A: The NINR Research Centers program is designed to increase research capability and expand the science of investigators working on multiple projects by promoting collaboration between groups and across institutions, through the use of shared resources and expertise. These settings promote the development of skilled new investigators dedicated to interdisciplinary research. The collaborative approach to research typified in Centers has been found to be valuable in producing results that become the evidence base for practice. In 2004, the Committee for the Assessment of NIH Centers of Excellence Programs reviewed NIH Centers programs and stated in an IOM report that, “Extramural centers offer an attractive mechanism for supporting research that benefits from a multidisciplinary, team-based approach, especially research aimed at understanding complex biomedical systems, and for translating basic scientific discoveries into useful clinical applications.”
Q: What are the types of Centers supported by NINR?
A: NINR supports three award mechanisms under its Centers program. For more information on each of these mechanisms, click on the corresponding link:
· Exploratory Center Grants (P20)
· Core Center/Centers of Excellence Grants (P30)
· Program Project Grants (P01)
Q: What are Exploratory Center Grants (P20)
A: For institutions with relatively new programs of research, NINR supports programs of Centers focused on building research expertise and teams for the future. These Centers, awarded using the P20 Exploratory Grant mechanism, support the initial enhancement of research capacity at institutions with emerging research programs. The awards support shared resources and several small exploratory research projects (each at the level of an R03 research project) conducted by several investigators focused on a common research theme. These Centers are expected to lead to: improved capabilities at institutions with nascent research programs; an increased number of investigators involved in interdisciplinary research of importance to NINR; and larger scale research projects capable of competing for R21 or R01 levels of support.
Current Center programs supported under this mechanism include:
· Developmental Center Grants
· Centers in Self-Management Research or End-of-Life Research (begun September, 2007)
Q: What are Core Center/Centers of Excellence Grants (P30)?
A: For investigators and institutions with several years of demonstrated research success, NINR supports Centers of Excellence. These Centers, awarded using the P30 Core Grant mechanism, consist of several medium-sized developmental or foundational research projects (at the level of R21 projects) organized around shared resources and research infrastructure. The individual projects focus on similar topics or research themes of strategic interest to NINR, while enjoying the benefits of a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment. By leveraging common resources, it is expected that the individual projects will demonstrate greater productivity and will develop into independent research projects, i.e. R01 projects, more quickly than they would as separate projects without a central infrastructure.
Current center programs supported under this mechanism include:
· Core Center Grants
· Centers of Excellence in Self-Management Research or End-of-Life Research (begun September, 2007)
Q: What are Program Project Grants (P01)?
A: For investigators and institutions with proven and long-established research programs, NINR will support Research Program Projects that will serve as platforms for conducting innovative, high-impact, and interdisciplinary research on topics of critical importance to the Institute. A Research Program Project award, funded through the P01 grant mechanism, will support shared resources and a collaborative research effort for several large research projects that would ordinarily be supported through an R01 award. These awards will allow a group of investigators, using multiple approaches funded as individual subprojects, to answer a single research question or address a common theme. Common resources and a multidisciplinary research environment are expected to facilitate the long-term success of the individual projects.
Current center programs supported under this mechanism include:
· NINR Nursing Science Research on Interventions in Chronic Illness (first awards to be made 4th quarter, FY 2008)
Q: What research topics are studied in NINR-supported Centers?
A: NINR Centers explore a wide variety of leading-edge research topics of major importance to the NINR mission. For example, six recently funded P20 and P30 centers focus on self-management and end-of-life research, two areas of research emphasis in the current NINR strategic plan and two areas highly relevant to current public health needs. For a full list of research areas currently under study in NINR centers, click here for the list of current P20 Centers and here for the list of current P30 centers.
Q: Where are the current NINR-supported Centers?
A: Lists of current NINR-supported centers can be found at the following links:
-- P20 Centers
-- P30 Centers
Q: Can I get involved in a clinical research study conducted at an NINR-supported Center?
A: Yes. Please consult the websites of the individual Centers for more information on joining a clinical research study.
B. QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT
Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: The Request for Applications (RFA) always defines both the eligible institutions/organizations, as well as the eligible Principal Investigator(s) (PI). Always read the RFA carefully to determine your eligibility; do not rely on past RFAs as their requirements may be different from the current RFA.
Q: What are the page limits for P30 and P20 grant applications?
A: Always read the RFA carefully; page limits are defined within the RFA.
Q: What factors will reviewers consider when assessing my application?
A: Always read the RFA carefully; the RFA defines what review criteria reviewers will be asked to use when reviewing a Center application.
Q: Which “study section” will be reviewing these applications?
A: Generally, applications submitted in response to an RFA are reviewed by a study section specially composed by the NINR Office of Review for this review, i.e., a Special Emphasis Panel (SEP), that contains all the requisite expertise needed to review the Center applications.
Q: Will identifying a specific clinical setting/disease (e.g. heart failure, diabetes) be viewed as too narrow?
A: If the RFA calls for a narrow population or setting, be careful to develop your science around these. If the RFA broadly defines the target population(s) or setting, it is generally advisable to select a specific population within the broadly defined group(s) and focus the work of the Center on this specific group so that the Center can demonstrate a clear expertise and the science emanating from the Center will be able to make significant and meaningful contributions to the field.
Q: Does my application need to be postmarked or received by the receipt date?
A: Receipt deadlines refer to the date the NIH must be “in receipt” of the application or the application is received by NIH. This is in contrast to a postmark deadline, where the application must be postmarked (or into an express delivery system’s tracking system) by that date.
Q: Will reviewers be assigned to review the full application, or one or two sections of each application?
A: All reviewers are asked to review the application as a whole, but each component will be assigned to two or more reviewers to lead and write the review of the component. Each component will be scored separately, and the Center as a whole will be scored.
Q: Should information (e.g. biosketches) be duplicated in different sections of the application?
A: Information such as biosketches should not be duplicated, especially if they are contained in the Administrative Core section of the application, which all reviewers read. Biosketches should be placed together in one section in alphabetical order after the PI’s biosketch. Cores and Projects should explicitly cross-reference each other rather than duplicate each other wherever possible.
Q: Must the PI (Center Director) of the application be the most experienced member of the research team?
A: No, applicants often select the PI of a Center based on many factors such as publication track record in the targeted science, administrative/organizational/team-building skills, availability of time and effort to commit to the Center, and/or the ability to meet the eligibility requirements identified in the RFA. Although the most senior investigator in the group may have some of these essential traits, they are not always the best choice to lead the Center; for example, they may already be overcommitted and be unable to devote the necessary time needed as Center Director. Reviewers tend to focus on the match between the Center goals and what the proposed PI brings to the Center, rather than on their “celebrity” status. A titular PI is generally reviewed poorly, as is a PI who meets the minimum requirements defined by the RFA and thus enables the Center application to be submitted, but who has weak leadership skills or scientific track-record in the targeted field.
Q: What percent effort is required of the PI for a Center grant?
A: The RFA will define if there is a minimum effort required for the PI. NINR generally considers 15% effort to be the minimum acceptable effort for a PI of a Center grant. If the effort is “contributed” by the applicant organization (i.e., the salary in support of this effort is paid from a source outside of the grant), the effort must still be listed in the application. In the case of multi-PI applications, each of the PIs generally should have no less than 10% effort devoted to their role as Center Director.
Q: Can a Center PI/Director or Core Leader also be the recipient of a pilot award from the Center?
A: No. Pilot project funds should be reserved for junior investigators. Center PIs and Core Leaders should not be junior investigators.
Q: Are there limits to the number of investigators that can be included in a Center application?
A: No, however, the applicant is cautioned against listing investigators with no apparent activity or contribution to the Center.
Q: Can a Center application have multi-PIs?
A: The RFA will define when multi-PI applications are acceptable. Generally, NINR accepts multi-PI applications. Note that a multi-PI application has one additional section of the research plan that is required, i.e., a new section, entitled “Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan” must be included. A rationale for choosing a multiple PD/PI approach should be described. The governance and organizational structure of the leadership team and the research project should be described, and should include communication plans, process for making decisions on scientific direction, and procedures for resolving conflicts.
Q: Can community members who are not affiliated with a participating university be co-investigators in a Center?
A: NINR does not restrict Center membership; any restrictions on investigators would be made by the applicant organization/institution.
Q: What is the role of an Advisory Committee to a Center?
A: Many Centers are required to have an External Advisory Committee. This Committee’s role is to advise the Center Director in decisions, selection of research, and other activities that the Center is considering. In addition, the External Advisory Committee provides NINR with an annual report of their recommendations. The External Advisory Committee has no authority to require or prohibit activities or expenditures; however, they may recommend actions for NINR’s consideration.
Q: How do I know if my institution meets the institution eligibility requirements?
A: Your organization may already have an Office of Sponsored Projects or a Research Administration Office; they likely can provide you with your organization’s research funding history and can assist you in determining if your organization is eligible to apply for this announced funding opportunity.
Q: Can an institution/organization have more than one Center?
A: Always read the RFA carefully; the RFA defines what is and isn’t allowed. Generally, an organization/institution may have multiple Centers awards; however, the number of Centers supported by NINR at a given time is limited by available funds. If your institution/organization already has a Center award from NINR, its existence should be acknowledged and the rationale for the need for two centers at a single institution should be addressed.
Q: Are there limitations to the number of appendices or articles to be included in the appendices?
A: Yes, it is critical that you refer to the RFA for instructions regarding appendices and manuscripts/articles. NIH is currently updating these limits and the RFA will reflect current guidelines.
Q: Can color be used in appendix materials?
A: Color in images is fine. We would prefer that all text be black print on white background.
Q: How many CDs of appendix materials should be sent with the application and to whom should they be sent?
A: Only 1 CD of the appendix materials should be sent and that is to the Chief of the NINR Office of Review. No appendices should be sent with the original and the three copies to the Center for Scientific Review. If you want to be on the safe side, you can note in your cover letter that you have sent a single CD of all appendix materials. If it’s missing, it will prompt us to contact you quickly.
Q: Can I use a previously submitted Center application as my template?
A: Please do not use past examples of Center applications. Institute requirements and goals change over time. Be sure to always follow the instructions in the current RFA.
Q: Should a single budget be included in the application, or should each component have a separate budget?
A: Both; the Center application requires a composite budget as well as a budget for each component. Generally, each component’s budget should also contain a budget justification. The composite budget does not normally have a budget justification.
Q: Is cost-sharing allowed?
A: Institutional cost-sharing is not a requirement for an application, and reviewers will be instructed that they cannot use the presence or absence of cost-sharing as a part of the review. It is entirely up to you to include cost-sharing if you wish. There are some pluses and minuses to cost-sharing that you should carefully consider. If you do choose to include information on cost-sharing in your application for a budgeted item, this should appear in the budget and justification pages where that item is listed. You might also include a statement about cost-sharing in the “Resources and Environment” page, e.g., if you are choosing to describe an institutional financial source as a resource or as a reflection of the environment, such as the strong support the Center has from University Administration.
Q: Can funds budgeted for the support of meetings be used to pay for food or beverages?
A: Food and beverage costs are generally allowed only when approved in the awarded application and are necessary for the conduct/performance of the research activities of the Center. The Office of Grants and Contracts Management can provide detailed responses to the acceptability of specific items.
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