Welcome!
The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) receives applications for U.S. Public Health Service grants, and coordinates the scientific review for the majority of applications sent to the National Institutes of Health.
Answers to Often Asked Questions
When is my application really due?
How do I submit my application?
Can I submit an application late?
Can I update my application?
When will I receive word on my application?
When will my application be reviewed and who will be on the panel?
Who do I call about my score and summary statement?
Who do I call for help about using the eRA Commons?
Get Answers for Other Application and Grant Questions
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Funding opportunities or application forms, instructions and policies—visit the NIH Office of Extramural Research Web site:
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Or contact NIH GrantsInfo: 301-435-0714 or GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
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Research priorities and needs in your scientific area—contact a Program Officer at the NIH Institutes and Centers before you submit an application.
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Scoring or funding of your application—contact the assigned Program Officer at the NIH Institute(s) listed on the notification posted in your eRA Commons account.
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General information about peer review and CSR—visit our Web site or call 301-435-1111 to speak with a CSR employee.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is my application really due?
Receipt dates and related policies are posted on the NIH Grants Web site. If a receipt date falls on a weekend or holiday, the receipt date is the following business day.
How do I submit my application?
Competing grant applications for most grant mechanisms are submitted electronically through Grants.gov via the SF424 (R&R) form. When submitting electronically, be sure to check the assembled application in eRA Commons to verify the submission process completed successfully. The PHS 398 paper application form is still used for a smaller number of grant mechanisms, and the PHS 416 paper application form is still used for many fellowships. A list of popular grant mechanisms and the required application is available via the Standard Due Date Web page. Most grant applications must be submitted in response to a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). FOAs (PA, PAS, PAR, RFA) will specify whether the application must be submitted electronically or on paper.
The mailing address for submitting competing grant applications for mechanisms still submitted on paper is Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7710. CSR no longer accepts applications delivered by individuals. For all courier deliveries—UPS, DHL, FedEx, Airborne, etc.—use the zip code 20817 and phone number 301 435-0715. Please do not send any other materials—IACUC approvals, application updates, etc.—to this address as they may not reach their intended destination. More information.
Can I submit an application late?
Permission is not given in advance for a late application. If an application is submitted after the required date, it must be accompanied by a cover letter explaining the reasons for the delay. Late applications are handled on an individual basis, considering the length of delay and the reasons provided. It is generally not possible to accommodate late applications for RFAs or other special receipt dates. Contacting Division of Receipt and Referral staff, review staff, or Institute program staff in advance will not result in permission to submit a late application. More information.
Can I update my application?
You may be able to update your application if you made an error in assembling it or if you have new data relevant to your research proposal. NIH has a policy on the “Submission of Additional Grant Application Materials” that provides guidance on application updates and additions. Once you note the assignment of an application in your eRA Commons account, you should contact the assigned Scientific Review Officer to determine if and how you may update your application. This information should appear within 2 weeks of the receipt date. However, if you think the new information you want to provide could affect the assignment of your application to a review group or NIH Institute, please contact the CSR Division of Receipt and Referral at 301 435-0715.
When will I receive word on my application?
Notification that CSR has assigned your application to a scientific review group and Institute should appear in your eRA Commons account within 3 weeks of the submission deadline. If this notification does not appear in this timeframe, please contact the CSR Division of Receipt and Referral at 301 435-0715.
After the review, your scores should appear in your Commons account within 3 business days, and your summary statement within 30 days. New investigators who submitted R01 applications should be able to access their summary statements within 10 days after the review meeting.
When will my application be reviewed and who will be on the panel?
You should receive an assignment notification in your eRA Commons account within 3 weeks of your application's submission due date. Most applications are assigned to CSR study sections for review, while about 30% of the applications are reviewed by review groups organized by an NIH Institute or Center.
CSR Review Groups: Once you know the scientific review group assigned to your application, you may look up the meeting date and the review group roster on the CSR Web site.
Other NIH Review Groups: Rosters and meeting dates for scientific review groups organized by other NIH Institutes and Centers are available via the NIH Office of Extramural Research Web site. If you do not find your review group listed, contact the scientific review officer assigned to your application.
Who do I call about my score and summary statement?
Contact the assigned Program Officer at the NIH Institute(s) listed on the notification posted in your eRA Commons account.
Who do I call for help about using the eRA Commons?
Contact the eRA Commons Help Desk
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time
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