American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Package)

Recovery Act Limited Competition for NIH Grants: Research and Research Infrastructure "Grand Opportunities" (RC2)

March 24, 2009

The purpose of the Grand Opportunities ("GO") grants program is to support high impact ideas that lend themselves to short-term funding, and may lay the foundation for new fields of investigation. The "GO" grants program will support large-scale research projects that accelerate critical breakthroughs, early and applied research on cutting-edge technologies, and new approaches to improve the synergy and interactions among multi- and inter-disciplinary research teams. Applicants may propose to address either a specific research question or propose the creation of a unique infrastructure/resource designed to accelerate scientific progress in the future.

Areas of Scientific Priority

NIAMS accepts proposals related to its mission of research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases.

Funding Priorities

NIAMS solicitation of "GO" proposals is based on the premise that there exist opportunities where a generous but short-term investment could open new avenues for research that would not otherwise be feasible. The "GO" represents an unprecedented opportunity to identify challenges and propose solutions. The "GO" RFA allows the scientific community to propose to NIAMS important, mission-related topics. NIAMS is prepared to make substantial funding available through the "GO" RFA because of this unique, perhaps once in a lifetime chance to achieve advances that would be difficult through business-as-usual.

Ideally, "GO" grants should catapult a field forward so that new questions could then be addressed. The forward leap should allow investigators to propose more innovative (and competitive) proposals for research projects in the future. While "GO" grants could be used for short-term but otherwise usual research projects, the concept is to use these funds to create or organize something new. However, if something new is created or organized, there is no commitment on the part of NIAMS or NIH to provide further funding beyond the 2-year "GO" award. NIAMS encourages the submission of proposals to create or organize something new, but these proposals should define how this resource will be sustained after the two years of "GO" funding.

Letter of Intent

Letters of Intent (LOI) are suggested prior to submission of an application. While the LOI is neither required nor binding, NIAMS strongly recommends that one be submitted. An LOI allows NIAMS to provide feedback as to responsiveness, and thus may save time and effort on the part of potential applicants. LOI should be sent to:

Barbara E. Footer, M.S.
Program Analyst
NIAMS/NIH/DHHS
One Democracy Plaza
6701 Democracy Blvd, Room 875
Bethesda, MD 20892-4872 (20817 if using an express courier)
Letters of Intent may be sent as a PDF attachment via e-mail to: footerb@mail.nih.gov

Budget Guidance and Funds Available

Under most circumstances, NIAMS will give preference to applications requesting less than $4,000,000 in total costs. However, for exceptional opportunities, NIAMS will welcome requests for greater amounts. Applicants interested in pursuing topics with higher requested costs are particularly encouraged to submit an LOI and contact the appropriate Program official prior to application, as described above.

Mechanisms for funding through ARRA are still in development, and thus the final distribution of the ARRA funds that are apportioned to NIAMS remains to be determined. Preliminarily, NIAMS anticipates that potentially $30,000,000 will be available for "GO" grants.

Submission Instructions

Instructions for submission are as given in the NIH Notice. Please note the specific instructions related to sharing of resources and data, timeline, and exclusions.

Application Receipt Dates for "GO" Grants

Letters of Intent should be submitted by April 27, 2009. The deadline for receipt of applications for "GO" grants is May 27, 2009.

Timeline for Review of "GO" Grants

Applications will be reviewed by the end of August with notification of award by September 30, 2009.

Reporting Requirements

Funds provided by the Recovery Act are not "business as usual." Final guidance on reporting is still being developed. By submitting an application for ARRA funding, the PI and the institution are agreeing to abide by the reporting requirements, once released. Preliminary guidance can be obtained here http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/NIH_HHS_ARRA_Award_Terms.pdf.

Key Dates

Opening Date: April 27, 2009
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): April 27, 2009
Application Due Date(s): 5PM (local time of the applicant institution/organization) May 27, 2009
Peer Review Date(s): June/July 2009
Council Review Date(s): August 2009
Earliest Anticipated Start Date(s): September 30, 2009

Contact Information

See above for the LOI receipt address.

Program Contacts:

For further information regarding NIAMS participation in the "GO" RFA, NIAMS has established an email address for all enquiries related to scientific or programmatic content. Please email us at NIAMShelp-GrandOpportunities@mail.nih.gov. A NIAMS Program Director will respond within 2 business days.

For questions related to administrative or budgetary requirements, please contact:

Andrew Jones
Acting Chief Grants Management Officer
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institutes of Health
6701 Democracy Boulevard, Suite 829
Bethesda, MD 20892-4872
Phone: (301) 435-0610
E-mail: jonesan@mail.nih.gov

For peer review questions, contact:

Helen Lin, PhD
Acting Chief, Scientific Review Branch
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institutes of Health
6701 Democracy Boulevard, Room 814
Bethesda, MD 20892-4872
Phone: (301) 435-0610
E-mail: linh1@mail.nih.gov