NIH Nexus – January 2019

February 11, 2019 • NIH Nexus

Always Check Your FOA for New Related Notices 30 Days Before Submission

Posted on December 12, 2018 by NIH Staff

You found a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) that fits your research, you’ve read it carefully, and have been working for months perfecting your application. Don’t forget to return to the FOA within 30 days of the due date to check for any new related notices which could impact  your submission. The Related Notices in Part 1 of the FOA could alert you to a change in key dates, updates to application instructions, notices of new policies and other “need to know” information. This simple step will help ensure that there are no surprises when it comes time to submit your application to NIH!  For more helpful hints, see our Understand Funding Opportunities page.

Review Criteria Updates 

(Fellowship – NOT-OD-18-227; Research – NOT-OD-18-228; Career Development – NOT-OD-18-229)

We’ve updated application instructions and review criteria addressing rigor of prior research (formerly scientific premise); inclusion reporting and requirements; and protections for human subjects. Recently published opportunities have the updated review criteria in the body of the announcement. Opportunities posted prior to the change have a link to the notice containing updated criteria at the top of the Application Review Information section.

NIH Implementation of the Final Rule on the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects

(Common Rule; NOT-OD-19-050)

Several provisions in the Revised Common Rule resulted in changes to NIH policies and procedures. From an application submission perspective, the most notable changes are:

  • Changes to categories of research qualifying for exemptions (FAQs)
  • Use of new exemptions 7 and 8, when applicable

Application Instruction Updates

The application form instructions found on the How To Apply – Application Guide page include clarifications and policy updates (see Significant Changes).