NIH Staff 
In emergency situations, the NIH’s immediate concern is for the health and safety of people and animals in the programs we oversee. We are also deeply concerned about the health of the biomedical enterprise in the affected area, and we are committed to working with researchers and institutions to do all that we can to ensure that NIH-funded research continues.
This website is intended to be a resource for the entire biomedical research community. Look here for NIH Guide Notices and other information of particular relevance to investigators and their institutions, links to web pages listing NIH’s response to certain major events (past and present); and links to similar web sites from other Federal agencies.
Potential NIH Responses to Natural Disasters
Assistance to the NIH community during natural disasters is handled on a case-by-case basis in a manner appropriate to the circumstances.
A primary concern of NIH applicants is how to handle when an institution is closed due to natural disaster or other emergency situation. In these cases it is not necessary to get permission in advance for delays in grant application submissions. Instead, applications submitted late must include a cover letter indicating the reasons for the delay. The delay should not exceed the time period that the applicant organization is closed. Although NIH will often issue a Guide Notice reminding applicants of this policy during times of major emergencies, this policy will also apply to emergencies of a more limited or local nature not discussed in a separate NIH Guide Notice.
- Permitting the limited expenditure of award funds, in accordance with grantee policy, to continue paying salaries and fringe benefits to researchers under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances.
- Assisting with animal welfare issues.
- Waiving certain prior approval requirements.
- Providing extensions of time for financial and other reporting.
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Publishing opportunities for funded extensions and/or one-time administrative supplements to current awards targeted at institutions in particularly impacted areas.
NIH Emergency Contact Information
- For advice and guidance from the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare regarding any animal evacuation, animal health, animal housing, IACUC activities, or occupational health and safety concerns please e-mail OLAW@od.nih.gov or call 301-496-7163.
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For assistance from NIH regarding any grant administration issues please e-mail GrantsPolicy@od.nih.gov or call the Division of Grants Policy at 301-435-0949.
NIH Responses to Recent Events
- Reminder: NIH Natural Disaster Policy – Hurricane Laura
- Reminder: NIH Natural Disaster Policy – Hurricane Isaias, Derecho
- Flexibilities Available to Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19 (3/12/2020)
- General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Proposal Submission and Award Management Related to COVID-19 (3/10/2020)
- NIH LATE APPLICATION POLICY Due to Public Health Emergency for United States for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (3/10/2020)
- Reminder - NIH Natural Disaster Policy - Hurricane Dorian (9/11/2019)
- Reminder: NIH Natural Disaster Policy - Hurricane Michael (10/22/2018)
- Reminder - NIH Natural Disaster Policy - Hurricane Florence (9/13/2018)
- Additional Short-Term Administrative Relief to Institutions Impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria (12/12/2017)
- Hurricane Recovery Outreach Call Summary (12/11/2017)
- Application and Report Submission Flexibilities Available to Institutions Impacted by Hurricane Maria (10/3/2017)
- Reminder: NIH Natural Disaster Policy - Hurricane Irma (9/14/2017)
- Notice of Assistance Available to Institutions Impacted by Hurricane Harvey (9/11/2017)
- Reminder: NIH Natural Disaster Policy - Hurricane Harvey (8/28/2017)
- Notice of Annual Reporting Requirements and Revised Financial Closeout Requirements for NIH Administrative Supplements Awarded to Recover Losses Due to Hurricane Sandy under the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act (7/30/2014)
- Notice of Change to Page Limits and Application Due Date in RFA-OD-13-008 Limited Competition: Restoring Research Resources Lost Due to Hurricane Sandy (R24) (07/13/2013)
- Limited Competition: Extramural Research Facilities Restoration Program: Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief (C06) (07/03/2013)
- Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training (U45) Administrative Supplements for Hurricane Sandy Response and Recovery (Admin Supp) (04/19/2013)
- Limited Competition: Shared Instrumentation For Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief (S10) (04/18/2013)
- Limited Competition: Restoring Research Resources Lost Due to Hurricane Sandy (R24) (04/18/2013)
- NIH Administrative Supplements to Recover Losses Due to Hurricane Sandy Under the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act Non-Construction (Admin Supp) (04/15/2013)
- Limited Competition: Restoration of New Investigator Pilot Projects Adversely Affected by Hurricane Sandy (R21) (04/15/2013)
- Notice of Assistance Available to Institutions Impacted by Super Storm Sandy (12/04/2012)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Hurricane Sandy (10/26/2012)
- Deadline Extended for Applications Due on October 29 and 30, 2012 (10/30/2012)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission Due to Natural Disasters - September 2011 (09/09/2011)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission Due to Natural Disasters - August 2011 (08/25/2011)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Recent Seismic Events on the Pacific Rim (03/18/2011)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Widespread Blizzard (02/01/2011)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Hurricane Earl (09/02/2010)
- Delays in Grant Applications due to Spring Flooding (05/06/2010)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Widespread Winter Storm February 2010 (02/09/2010)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Blizzard February 2010 (02/05/2010)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Earthquake in Haiti January 2010 (01/14/2010)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Record Snow December 2009 (12/22/2009)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Winter Storm December 2009 (12/09/2009)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Closure of Institutions because of 2009 H1N1 Flu Concerns (05/01/2009)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Snow Storm (03/02/2009)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Winter Ice Storms (01/28/2009)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Ice Storm in New England (12/16/2008)
- NIH Announces the Opportunity for Funded Extensions and/or One-Time Administrative Supplements to Grants Located in Galveston, Texas Affected by Hurricane Ike (11/07/2008)
- Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Hurricane Ike (09/12/2008)
- Delays in Grant Application Submissions due to Hurricane Gustav (08/28/2008)
- Delays in Grant Application Submissions due to Tropical Storm/Hurricane Fay (08/21/2008)
- Delays in Grant Application Submissions due to Floods (06/13/2008)
- Hurricane Katrina (2005)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Resources
Animal Welfare Issues
- OLAW Disaster Planning and Response Resources
- Responsibilities of Assured Institutions: Assured institutions are responsible for notifying OLAW about conditions that jeopardize the health or well-being of animals, including natural disasters, accidents, and mechanical failures, resulting in actual harm or death to animals. Institutions are also expected to report proposed changes in the institutional animal care and use program e.g. extended delay in semiannual program review, relocation of animals to facilities not covered in the Assurance. Institutions should report when feasible, and after they have had opportunity to fully determine the extent of losses, if any. If no damage or impact to your program was sustained, reporting is not necessary.
