Research Grant National Institutes of Health Research

Research Grant

National Institutes of Health Research Grant

This essay examines the application process for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant through the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), Funding Opportunity Title Genomic Resource Grants for Community Resource Projects (U41), Funding Opportunity Announcement Number PAR-11-095.

The NHGRI was established originally as the National Center for Human Genome research in 1989 and led the NIH's contribution to the Human Genome Project. This project had as its primary goal the sequencing of the 3 billion DNA letters that make up the human genetic instruction book and was successfully completed in April 2003.

NHGRI's mission includes a broad range of studies aimed at understanding the structure and function of the human genome and the role it plays in health and disease. The Division of Extramural Research supports and administers the role of NIH in genomic research (NHGRI, 2011). According to the NIH office of Extramural Research, the grants process from application through notification of award typically takes from nine to 10 months.

The grant PAR-11-095 was selected by searching the NIH database. Applying for this grant requires completion of PHS 398 application forms, for submission for the next standard due date of September 25, 2011. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) webpage lists additional information for PAR-11-095, including eligibility requirements. Eligible organizations include higher education institutions, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, governments, and others, including non-domestic non-U.S. entities (DHHS, 2011).

PAR-11-095 overview information lists details of the funding opportunity description. In addition to describing types of genomic resource projects that are supported, the DHHS webpage lists required registrations for grant application in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and Electronic Research Administration (eRA) databases. Applicants must also have a valid Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number.

Grant applicants must maintain an active and current registration in CCR which must be renewed at least annually. CCR registration requires the applicant organization to have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which is obtained from the IRS. The EIN can take up to two weeks to obtain, and once the EIN is available, the CCR registration process can take 3-5 business days (Grants.gov, 2011).

Only signing officials (SOs) can register their institutions with eRA. The applicant prints the registration form, then signs and faxes it to the designated number. Once the online registration form is submitted, the NIH validates it and sends a verification email. After the NIH receives the verification response, it sets ups the institution account and sends notification to the registered SO of the userid/password (eRA Commons, 2011).

Although it is not required, instructions for PAR-11-095 suggest that an applicant submit a letter of intent, which the Institute/Center (IC) uses for workload and review planning. Given that an applicant needs all the friends that one can possibly make during the application process, this letter should be considered as being strongly advised.

The PHS 398 application guide provides detailed instructions for preparing and submitting a grant application. The guide spells out formatting details for applications including font size and type, paper size and margins, and page formatting. The guide also specifies the number of application copies (5) and page limits for specific sections. To allow for significant scientific advances, the guide also details application resubmission requirements and process. There is also a revision application process to accommodate requests for significant expansion of a project's scope or research protocol (PHS 398, 2009, pp. I-13 -- I-16).

The grant applicant is cautioned that applications may not be reviewed if they are incomplete, illegible, fail to follow instructions or present insufficient material to allow adequate review. The guide provides specific instructions for signing and copying the original application, as well as mailing instructions (PHS 398, 2009, pp. I-17 -- I- 23).

The PHS application guide provides detailed information on filling out each field of the application. For the Budget Request, sections 7 and 8 must be completed in U.S. dollars. The application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant organization. The application guide also spells out penalties for deliberate withholding, falsification or misrepresentation of information (PHS 398, 2009, pp. I-17 -- I-33).

In addition to providing information on completing the application, the guide also covers the assurances and certifications that applicants are expected to comply with. Any instance of non-compliance requires an explanation. A project description is also required, along with a list of project or performance sites as well as key personnel and other significant contributors (PHS 398, 2009, p. I-30).

For the Detailed Budget, only direct costs may be requested. If the budget request exceeds $500,000 or more for any year, the applicant must obtain prior approval from the Institute/Center. Each category of budget requests must be itemized, with a separate detailed budget for consortium and contractual organizations. The applicant must enter budget category totals, along with justification of any significant increases or decreases from the initial year budget (PHS 398, 2009, p.I-33).

Biographical sketches must be provided for anyone identified as Senior/Key Personnel and Other Significant Contributors, in the same order as listed on Form Page 2. In addition to closely following page limits, the application is restricted from using URLs unless specifically indicated. Applicants are also discouraged from submitting proprietary information unless it is essential for proper evaluation of the application (PHS 398, 2009, p. I-41).