Frequently Asked Questions

Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE)
Request for Applications
HD-06-004 (R01) & HD-06-016 (P50)

Q1: Does the $2 million direct cost limitation for Network applications include the indirect costs of the subcontracts? Is the budget for the Networks $2 million total or $2 million per year?

A1: The facilities and administrative costs requested by the consortium participants are not included in the direct cost limitation. Please refer to NIH policy on contract/consortium F&A costs (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-05-004.html). The budget limit is $2 million per year.

Q2: Is each Center expected to propose both causes and treatment research?

A2: Each Center is not expected to propose/conduct both causes and treatment research. The request for applications (RFA) only states that research projects should "focus on finding causes and preventive intervention for autism as well as improved treatment."

Q3: Will the R01s that comprise a Network application be reviewed together or will they each be reviewed separately?

A3: Each Network will submit a single R01 application that includes subcontracts to the collaborating sites. Each Network (including the Data Coordinating Center) application will be reviewed together.

Q4: Does the RFA section on "Network Research Project Description" indicate that we should develop a research plan for EACH component research project? Do we also need to develop separate project plans, each up to 25 pages (sections a-d)?

A4: Yes. Each proposed project requires a plan and each plan can be up to 25 pages in length.

Q5: May an institution apply for both an ACE Center and participate as an ACE Treatment Network with two different Principal Investigators (PIs) (i.e., one institution submits an ACE center application with its investigator serving as the PI, but also participates in an ACE Network application as a subcontract of another institution)?

A5: Yes.

Q6: May an institution apply for both an ACE Center and an ACE Network with two different PIs (i.e., a single institution submits one ACE Center application and one ACE Network application with different PIs leading each)?

A6: Yes.

Q7: Where can I obtain RFA-HD-06-016 to establish an Autism Center?

A7: The links to both ACE Centers and ACE Networks RFAs are available in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts at:
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-06-004.html
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-06-016.html

Q8: Will the NIH accept an ACE Network application that focuses on autism genetics?

A8: Yes. Autism genetics is an acceptable topic for a Network application.

Q9: If one Institution proposes an ACE Center and an ACE Network applications, it would be cost efficient for them share some resource especially in recruitment and testing, although the aims and research plans for the Network and the Center projects would be quite different. Is this going to be a problem?

A9: Each ACE Network or Center application has to stand alone for the purpose of review. Therefore, each application should include budget information for all aspects of the study including subject recruitment and testing. In the event that any ACE Centers and Networks appear to be using the same resource, the NIH program staff will adjust the budget accordingly when funding decisions are made.

Q10: The ACE R01RFA mentions that this funding opportunity solicits applications for ACE "networks" that consist of "multi-sites" focusing on a specific topic of research. Do two sites qualify as a "network" or "multi-site"?

A10: There is no minimum number of sites required for an ACE Network application.

Q11: May an investigator serve as an ACE Center (or Network) PI and a project PI of a different ACE Center (or Network)?

A11: This is permissible for as long as there is no scientific overlap between the two projects, and the total percent effort of the investigator for both activities does not exceed 100 percent.

Q12: Must the ACE Center PI be a PI for at least one project?

A12: The ACE RFA does not require the Center PI to also be a PI for at least one project. The RFA does require that Center and Network PIs contribute 20% effort to the ACE Center or Network.

Q13: I have heard that it is now possible to have two equal PIs for one NIH grant. Can that apply to the ACE Center applications?

A13: The multiple-PI option is currently being piloted across NIH but it will not be an option for the ACE applications.

Q14: Will Center applications and Network applications be reviewed by the same Study Section?

A14: Since they are two RFAs, the Center and Network applications will be likely reviewed by two different Special Emphasis Panels. The members of the panels may be overlapping.

Q15: In regards to the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), do we need to establish an ACE network DSMB or do we utilize a DSMB of the NIH?

A15: NIH requires the establishment of a DSMB for multi-site clinical trials involving interventions that entail potential risk to the participants and generally for Phase III clinical trials. Since there are policy differences among NIH Institutes regarding DSMB issues, applications that fall in this area of investigations need to include a plan to establish a DSMB but NIH reserves the right to switch it to a NIH DSMB at the time of award.

Q16: We are planning to submit an ACE Center application. Can we only submit one Appendix for the entire application or can we submit individual appendices for each research project? Specifically, are we limited to submitting only 10 publications overall for the entire application, or can we submit up to 10 publications for each project and for each Core?

A16: According to the PHS 398 guidelines, only one appendix is allowed for each application; however, since the guideline on appendices does not specifically address multi-component projects, each research project or core may submit its own appendix. That is, each research project or core can submit up to 10 publications or manuscripts accepted for publication. Please note that reviewers are under no obligation to read any of the Appendix material.

Q17: Are we required to name our scientific advisors in the application? Or do you prefer us not to in order to keep the reviewer pool large?

A17: It is preferable that the PIs not name the advisors in the application. But if you plan to use an advisor committee, you may describe the process to be used in establishing the committee and outline its operating procedures such as how many members, how often do they meet, etc.

Q18: Our Clinical Core will be drawing blood and conducting clinical and behavioral evaluations on patients, some of whom might or might not end up meeting criteria for certain behavioral protocols. Is it acceptable for the Clinical Core to have a Human Subjects section?

A18: Yes, this is appropriate. If a Core involves working with human subjects, then it needs to address the Human Subjects issues. However, unless the Core recruits human subjects, it does not have to discuss the requirements on inclusion of women, minorities, and children.

Q19: The ACE Center RFA states that Other Support should be in the form of a table, but then suggests the use of the four page form for biosketches. Since this form includes Other Support, it seems more reasonable to use a two page biosketch. What should we do?

A19: The 4-page biographical sketch contains information on "Research Support", which is not the same as "Other Support". The instructions in the 398 define "Research Support" as a list of selected ongoing and completed research projects (during the last 3 years) that are particularly relevant to the current application. The information requested in table form under "Centers Summary of Other Support" includes current active support as well as any applications that are pending review or funding. This is not the same as what is required in the biosketch. Applicants should use the 4-page biosketch in addition to the requested Table.

Q20: Due to extraordinary circumstances beyond our control, we would like to request an extension on the application receipt date for the ACE RFAs.

A20: The NIH policy explicitly states that "NIH will not consider accepting late applications for the Special Receipt Dates for RFAs and PARs." Here's the link for the Notice that describes the policy in detail: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-05-030.html