Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing and Submitting a New Application
Q. Where can I find the most recent RISE Program Announcement?
A. The most recent RISE Program Announcement (PAR-10-004) is available on the Web at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-004.html.
Q. What is the goal of the RISE program?
A. The goal of the RISE program is to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups in biomedical and behavioral research who successfully complete Ph.D. degree programs in these fields. Specifically, the RISE program aims to enhance the minority-serving institutions research training output in biomedical and behavioral sciences by:
- Increasing the number of students that complete baccalaureate (B.S./B.A.) degrees and enroll in Ph.D. programs.
- Increasing the number of students that complete master (M.S.) degrees and enroll in Ph.D. programs.
- Increasing the number of predoctoral students that complete the Ph.D. degree.
- Reducing the national gap in the completion of Ph.D. degrees between underrepresented and non-underrepresented students in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.
Q. What are the expected specific outcomes of the RISE program?
A. The expectations of the MBRS RISE Program at the national level are that:
- The RISE programs will increase the overall number of underrepresented students that complete a Ph.D. and continue biomedical research careers.
- At least 50 percent of the undergraduates and 75 percent of the masters' students participating in the RISE program will, upon graduation, directly enter a Ph.D. program.
- At least 90 percent of the Ph.D. students participating in the RISE program will complete their terminal degree in biomedical and/or behavioral research fields.
- The RISE program will contribute to ongoing student and faculty efforts to reduce the national gap in the completion of Ph.D. degrees between underrepresented and non-underrepresented students in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.
Q. What types of institutions are eligible to apply for a RISE grant?
A. Eligible organizations include domestic post-secondary minority-serving institutions that have more than 50 percent student enrollment from groups underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research. See the RISE Program Announcement (Section III.1).
Q. Can an institution with a RISE grant apply for other MBRS or MARC programs?
A. Institutions eligible to apply for the RISE program may also apply for other TWD programs, except for the MBRS IMSD program.
Q. Can more than one department participate in the RISE grant proposal?
A. Yes. Although only one grant application may be submitted by each institution, participation of all departments relevant to biomedical and behavioral sciences is highly encouraged since the RISE should be an institutional program.
Q. How is an institutional RISE program designed?
A. Institutional RISE program awards are provided to support student development and research training activities in the biomedical sciences. RISE applications must be based on the capabilities of the institution to provide students with the appropriate academic and research training needed to pursue a Ph.D. degree in the biomedical sciences. The proposed program design should be derived from an institutional self assessment of the:
- Research environment.
- Student and faculty demographics.
- Number of underrepresented and non-underrepresented students that complete the Ph.D. degree, continue competing postdoctoral training, and engage in productive research careers.
- Challenges/impediments that the students encounter in completing the Ph.D. degree.
As a result of the self-assessment, each applicant institution must establish the program's goals and specific measurable objectives which should be consonant with the MBRS RISE program expectations. These goals and specific measurable objectives should help design an institutional program that will have a significant institutional impact and a greater contribution to the overall RISE goals.
Q. What are the institutional options in the RISE program? How can an institution select which one to apply for? What is expected from each option?
A. The TWD Division recognizes the heterogeneity in institutional settings and institutional missions. To align the RISE program goals with institutional environments and expectations, applicants must select one of the options below that best fit the outcomes of their institutional assessment and the design of the proposed institutional RISE program application. The selected option must be included in the descriptive title of the applicant’s project using the following format: RISE Option X (item 11 in the SF 424 R&R form - Other Project Information).
RISE Option I – This option is recommended for applicant institutions with a low or no track record of students graduating and pursuing Ph.D. degrees in biomedical and behavioral sciences and few or no faculty currently participating in funded biomedical research as principal investigators. Participants of the proposed programs should be only undergraduares (UG) either at the associate-degree (A.D.) or the B.S./B.A. level. Institutions applying to this option are expected to:
- Establish the fundamentals of research training,
- Improve the science curriculum, and
- Increase the retention and graduation in the sciences relevant to biomedical and/or behavioral research (i.e., provide the baseline and proposed increase so that the resulting percent change is clearly stated.)
RISE Option II – This option is recommended for applicant institutions with a moderate track record (1-3 students per year) of students graduating and pursuing Ph.D. degrees in biomedical and behavioral sciences and a moderate number (1-5) of faculty members currently participating in funded biomedical research as principal investigators. Participants of the proposed programs should be UG (at the B.S/B.A. level only) and graduate students at the M.S. degree level only. Institutions applying to this option are expected to:
- Improve the science curriculum.
- Increase the retention and graduation in the sciences relevant to biomedical and/or behavioral research (i.e., provide the baseline and proposed increase so that the resulting percent change is clearly stated).
- Improve from A to B (defined percent change) the track record of students completing a Ph.D. degree.
- Improve from A to B (defined percent change) the track record of students that complete a degree (B.S./B.A. or M.S.) at the institution and pursue a Ph.D. degree at institutions with research-intensive environments.
RISE Option III – This option is recommended for applicant institutions with a past track record (7-10 students per year) of students graduating and pursuing Ph.D. degrees in biomedical and behavioral sciences and a significant number (7 or higher) of faculty members currently participating in funded biomedical research as principal investigators. Participants of the proposed programs should be UG (at the baccalaureate level only) and graduate students (both M.S. and/or Ph.D.). Institutions applying to this option are expected to:
- Improve from A to B (defined percent change) the track record of students that complete a Ph.D. degree.
- Improve from A to B (defined percent change) the track record of students that complete a degree (B.S./B.A. or M.S.) at the institution and complete a Ph.D. degree at institutions with research-intensive environments.
- Improve from A to B (defined percent change) the track record of students that complete a Ph.D. at the institution and pursue postdoctoral positions at institutions with research-intensive environments.
Q. Who is eligible to participate in the RISE program?
A. The RISE program is an institutional program and it is expected that program-supported activities will be open to all students at the institution. The program should not deny participation in program-supported activities to anyone based solely on his/her race, color, national origin, disability, religion, gender and age. The program-supported participants are selected by the applicant institution. To receive salary support from the RISE program, students must be U.S. citizens or non-citizen nationals or permanent residents, must be enrolled full time in academic degree programs in biomedical or behavioral science fields at the applicant institution and be active RISE participants. (A non-citizen national is a person who, although not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the U.S. This is generally a person born in a land that is not a state, but that is under U.S. sovereignty, jurisdiction or administration (i.e., American Samoa). An individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence must possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551) or other legal verification of such status prior to appointment on the grant. Individuals on temporary visas, those seeking asylum or refugees are not eligible for support from the RISE Program.
The purpose of the RISE Program is to achieve greater participation in the biomedical and behavioral research enterprise of this country of students from underrepresented groups. For the purpose of the RISE Program underrepresented groups include those reported by the National Science Foundation as well as the National Academies to be nationally underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral sciences (i.e., African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans (including Alaska natives), and natives of U.S. Pacific Islands and people with disabilities). Applicants may include and identify any other categories that institutional policies have determined to be underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research fields with a strong rationale, appropriate references and official validated documentation. Selection of program-supported participants should take into consideration whether the student’s participation would help achieve the overall goals/objectives of the proposed institutional program and the MBRS goals. It is the responsibility of the applicant institution to establish the qualifications of students prior to their selection for the RISE program.
Q. What is expected from individuals supported by the RISE program?
A. RISE program undergraduates at the community college level are expected to graduate and transition directly to the next academic step. RISE program undergraduates at the B.S/B.A level and the graduate M.S. level are expected to directly matriculate into Ph.D. programs. RISE program Ph.D. students are expected to complete their terminal degrees in biomedical and/or behavioral research fields and advance to competing postdoctoral positions.
Q. What is the maximum level of support that can be requested for undergraduate students?
A. Support is allowed for eligible undergraduate students (A.D./B.S./B.A.) in the form of salary and wages. Stipends are not allowable for the RISE program. Salary support is allowed for undergraduate students’ active participation in student development and research education activities supported by the program, as long as there is an employee-employer relationship between the student and the institution. The total compensation must be reasonable and commensurate with the institution’s support scale for the work performed provided the following criteria are met:
- It is the institution’s practice to provide compensation for all students in similar circumstances regardless of the source of support for the activity,
- The undergraduate student is not supported for more than 15 hours per week during the academic year and not more than 40 hours per week during the summer, and
- Student participation in the specific developmental activity is not a curriculum requirement for graduation.
A justification must be provided if the requested support for undergraduates is more than $12 per hour. Support for students is not provided for time spent by the students passively participating in RISE-sponsored, non-research activities (i.e., group-learning activities, attendance at conferences, etc).
Q. What is the maximum level of support that can be requested for graduate students?
A. Support is allowed for eligible graduate (M.S./Ph.D.) students in the form of salary and wages. Stipends are not allowable for the RISE program. Graduate students may be supported on RISE funding usually up to 2 years if preparing for a M.S. degree and a total of five years (including any RISE funding for a M.S. degree) if preparing for a Ph.D. degree, provided their progress towards the degree is satisfactory. Graduate students (both M.S. and Ph.D.) are allowed tuition remission as part of a compensation package.
M.S. students may receive salary support for up to 20 hours a week during the academic year while they are fulfilling their course requirements, and 40 hours a week during the summer if no courses are being taken. Ph.D. students are allowed a salary compensation package that includes salary, fringe benefits, tuition and fees up to the maximum NIH-permitted annual graduate student support, which is NRSA level #0 for postdoctoral trainees, as indicated in the Graduate Student Compensation policy, located at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-017.html. (See the NIH Web page for current figure http://grants.nih.gov/training/nrsa.htm.) It is an expectation of NIGMS that those students who are enrolled in Ph.D. programs as part of the RISE program will be trained to compete successfully for support from other departmental, federal or non-federal graduate-training sources for which they are eligible, in order to complete their programs.
Q. Can RISE-supported students receive additional support?
A. Program-supported students may not concurrently hold another federally sponsored stipend or fellowship, other federal award that duplicates RISE support, or supplemental salary support, e.g., from a mentor’s federal research grant. However, concurrent with RISE support, students may make use of federal educational loan funds and assistance under the Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act (G.I. Bill) or may receive funds from a Pell Grant, based on financial need. Such funds are not considered supplementation or compensation.
Q. How are program-supported students appointed to the RISE program?
A. Each year, program-supported students must be formally appointed to the RISE program using the NIH’s Statement of Appointment form (PHS 2271, http://grants.nih.gov/training/phs2271.pdf). The completed forms must be submitted to NIH with the annual progress report.
Q. How can an institution provide research experiences to RISE participants?
A. Institutions proposing research experiences must demonstrate that program participants will have meaningful research experiences in the laboratory of an active investigator who has extramural support and publishes. Details on how RISE students will select a research laboratory or be matched with a mentor must be provided in the application as well as, the number of hours that the student will spend in the laboratory, what the research experience will consist of and what the student is expected to learn or accomplish.
The TWD Division recognizes that some RISE-eligible institutions may not have enough active researchers with extramural funding to support on-campus research experiences. However, such institutions could create a biomedical/behavioral interdisciplinary research training classroom/laboratory/courses, as well as establish collaborative arrangements with research institutions that have a significant number of mentors with NIH or other extramural research support to have their students benefit from off-campus research experiences, especially during the summer. Thus, each RISE program is strongly encouraged to establish collaborations with institutions that have research-intensive environments (i.e., NIGMS IMSD and/or T32 institutions) in order to facilitate the networking and transition of RISE-supported students to T32 training programs, as well as to magnify the institutional impact of the program. Information about NIGMS training programs (T32) is available at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training.
Q. Can funds be requested for research mentoring?
A. Compensation for research mentoring may be requested only if research mentoring is not part of the faculty regular contractual duties and responsibilities and it is allowed by the institutional policies. Compensation must be commensurate with the number of students mentored.
Q. Is foreign or international travel allowed?
A. Foreign/international travel (including travel to Canada and Mexico) is allowed only for graduate students making oral presentations at recognized professional scientific meetings in their specific area of research.
Q. What are the purpose and the scope of evaluation?
A. The purpose of the evaluation is to provide information on the effectiveness of the program on both the students and the institution. It should provide a resource for self improvement and a guide for institutionalization of effective strategies. The evaluation must assess the success of the program in achieving its goals and objectives and, on an ongoing basis, determine whether various milestones have been reached.
Thus, the emphasis of the evaluation activities should be on:
- Assessing the overall impact of the program on the institution’s baseline numbers and efforts to accomplish its proposed goals of diversifying the institutional pool of students that complete Ph.D. degrees in biomedical and/or behavioral sciences, and
- Measuring improvement over time in the overall program outcomes as well as intermediate outcomes such as effectiveness of activities or other interventions.
It is expected that the evaluation will inform the senior leadership at the institution and help them decide which elements of the program should be applied more broadly and/or ultimately institutionalized.
The purpose of the evaluation plan in an application is to show reviewers that the applicant has a good plan to judge the effectiveness of the proposed program on both the students and the institution. The evaluation plan must indicate how the success of the program in achieving its goals and objectives will be assessed. Specific plans and procedures must be described to capture, analyze and report outcome measures as well as measures of program implementation and short term outcomes such as outcomes of specific activities or interventions. The plan should be designed to assess and evaluate how the proposed program progresses toward meeting its goals, specific aims, measurable objectives and outcomes. A good evaluation plan will be based on appropriate literature and cited methodology. The plan should also identify the selected evaluator and present his/her credentials.
Applications that lack an evaluation plan will not be reviewed. The inclusion of evaluation instruments in the appendix is encouraged.
Q. Who should be the program evaluator and what is his/her role in the program?
A. In general, the evaluator (either external or from the applicant institution) must have training and experience in evaluation methodology and statistics. The specific tools to be used in the evaluation (e.g., surveys, interviews, databases) will dictate the specific skills needed.
The evaluator’s responsibilities usually include preparation of reports and recommendations for the PD and institutional administrators; interaction with program staff and staff from other campus-wide student academic preparation and educational partnership and research training programs; making recommendations of new administrative structures, policies and procedures; establishing and maintaining contact with institutional officials for the collection and exchange of information; gathering data and information; finding and evaluating alternative solutions and making recommendations for program direction. The evaluator also provides the conceptual framework for institutional change and suggests ways of reducing the resistance to change. He/she will provide training and technical assistance, as necessary, to staff and to partners to ensure the integrity and adequacy of data captured and reported.
Q. How much is allowed for a student development program evaluation?
A. Although there are no set rules, in general, evaluation costs may represent 5-10 percent of the proposed budget. These costs may vary with the size of the program, its methodology, its scope and the frequency of the proposed evaluation activities. It is important, though, that a strong and clear justification be provided of any evaluation costs proposed in an application.
Q. Which application forms should be used to prepare a new application, and where can they be found?
A. Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application forms and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for this Program Announcement through http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp. Only the forms package directly attached to the RISE Program Announcement can be used. You will not be able to use any other SF424 (R&R) forms (e.g., sample forms, forms from another FOA) although some of the "Attachment" files may be useable for more than one FOA.
Q. Are there any supplemental instructions for the RISE application?
A. There are no separate supplemental instructions for the new (Type 1) or competing renewal (Type 2) applications. Applicants should follow the instructions in the RISE Program Announcement.
For noncompeting continuation applications (Type 5) applicants must follow the PHS 2590 instructions (forms and instructions are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm) and the guidelines suggested in the RISE Supplemental Instructions.
Q. What is the application receipt date(s) for the RISE application?
A. The RISE Program uses the standard application submission/receipt dates, please see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm. Applications must be successfully received by Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization) on the application submission/receipt date(s).
Q. Can applications be submitted in paper format, or must applicants submit it electronically?
A. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the SF424 (R&R) forms and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Applications may not be submitted in paper format.
A registration process is necessary before submission and applicants are highly encouraged to start the process at least four weeks prior to the grant submission date. See Section IV of the RISE Program Announcement.
Q. What is the page limit for the RISE application?
A. The page limit for the Research Plan is 25 pages, including tables, figures, diagrams and charts. The Introduction (required for a resubmission application) is limited to three pages (not counted toward the 25 pages of the Research Plan).
Q. What is the best way to present information in the application?
A. Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide the required information using the sample formats provided under the preliminary studies/progress report section of the program announcement (PAR-10-004 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-004.html). These tables can be downloaded from the RISE Web site (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/training/MBRS/RISEDescription.htm) in the section titled RISE Sample Formats for Competing New (Type 1) and Competing Renewal (Type 2) Applications under Competing Renewal (Type 2) RISE Grant Applications (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/training/MBRS/RISESampleTables.htm). Applicants must be aware that the Research Plan must include all summarizing data tables, graphs, figures, diagrams and charts. Applicants may use the appendix to include evaluation instruments as well as detailed information that further clarifies the summarized data tables included in the Research Plan. The summarizing data tables in the body of the Research Plan must include clear and precise statements of the location of the required detailed information in the appendix.
Q. What are the anticipated start dates?
A. The earliest anticipated start dates for the applications submitted with January 25, May 25, and September 25 submission/receipt dates are December, April and July, respectively.
Q. What are allowable and unallowable costs?
A. Major allowable and unallowable costs are outlined in the RISE Program Announcement (see sections IV.2 and IV.5 ), and additional information on allowable and unallowable costs can be found in NIH Grants Policy Statement, and under the Terms and Conditions in the Notice of Grants Award.
Q. How important is the budget justification?
A. Reviewers are instructed to base their budget recommendations on the justification provided by the applicant. Therefore, it is important that each budget item is fully justified. Do not assume that the need is obvious. Explain the relevance of each item for the completion of the project.
Q. If an institution does not have any research on campus but proposes to have RISE students engaged in extramurally-funded research at other research-intensive institutions, does the applicant institution have to submit animal care and human subject certification forms?
A. No. However, before students are permitted to work on funded research projects of mentors involving vertebrate animals and/or human subjects, whether on-campus or off-campus, applicants are expected to fulfill the institutional and Federal requirements for these activities, e.g., Institutional Review Board and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approvals and obtain the student research certifications.
Q. How is my RISE application reviewed? What are the review criteria?
A. The MBRS Review Subcommittee (or a Special Emphasis Panel) reviews RISE applications. The review criteria are outlined in the RISE Program Announcement (see Section V). A summary of the reviewers' comments and the priority score are communicated to the applicant in the form of a summary statement. The National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council provides the second level of review.
Renewal Applications
Q. What application forms should be used to prepare a competing renewal application, and where can they be found?
A. Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application forms and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for this FOA through http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp. Only the forms package directly attached to the RISE Program Announcement can be used. You will not be able to use any other SF424 (R&R) forms (e.g., sample forms, forms from another FOA) although some of the "Attachment" files may be useable for more than one PA.
Q. What are the guidelines for the content and format of the Research Plan of RISE renewal applications?
A. The 25-page limit for the Research Plan for all applications (new and renewal) includes all summarizing data tables, graphs, figures, diagrams and charts. Applicants may use the appendix to include evaluation instruments as well as detailed information that further clarifies the summarized data tables included in the Research Plan. The summarizing data tables in the body of the Research Plan must include clear and precise statements of the location of the required detailed information in the appendix.
Q. What should be included in the progress report section of a competing renewal (Type 2) RISE application, and how is the progress on outcomes evaluated?
A. For renewal applications, a detailed progress report must be included. Applications with only one previous funding cycle must provide information on the past funding cycle. Applications with more than one previous funding cycle must provide information on the past two consecutive funding cycles. In the report, state the original and specific measurable objectives, anticipated milestones and outcomes, as well as a summary of the accomplishments of the RISE program.
Programs with an undergraduate component must report:
- The number of the RISE-supported undergraduate students.
- The number that participated in academic and summer research experiences.
- The status of RISE-supported students (number who graduated, remain in the RISE program or withdrew from the RISE program).
- The number who graduated with undergraduate degrees in biomedical/behavioral-related disciplines and pursued advanced degrees.
- The number who matriculated into Ph.D. programs in biomedical and/or behavioral sciences (at the applicant institution or elsewhere).
- The status of those who entered Ph.D. programs (number who completed graduate training, remain in graduate training, or withdrew from graduate training).
- Publications.
Programs with an M.S. graduate component must report:
- The number of the RISE-supported M.S. graduate students.
- The RISE-supported M.S. graduate students status (number who graduated, remain in training or withdrew from graduate training).
- The number of RISE-supported M.S. graduate students who matriculated in Ph.D. programs in biomedical and/or behavioral sciences (at the applicant institution or elsewhere).
- The status of those RISE-supported M.S. graduate students who entered Ph.D. programs (number who completed doctoral training, remain in doctoral training, or withdrew frm doctoral training).
- Publications.
Programs with a Ph.D. graduate component must report:
- The number of the RISE-supported Ph.D. graduate students.
- The RISE-supported Ph.D. graduate students status (number who graduated, remain in the RISE program or withdrew from the RISE program).
- The number of RISE-supported Ph.D. graduate students who transitioned to other training mechanisms (i.e., T32 programs, fellowships, research grants).
- The number of RISE-supported Ph.D. graduate students who pursue(d) postdoctoral positions and the number who pursue(d) academic, research-related or non-research-related career paths.
- Publications.
Describe the impact and/or value of RISE program activities on the enrollment numbers, profile, academic environment and graduation rates of underrepresented students and other related aspects of the institution. Describe what has been learned through the program evaluation and any changes made in the program as a result of the evaluation.
Applicants submitting renewal applications are strongly encouraged to provide the required information using the sample formats provided under the preliminary studies/progress report section of the program announcement (PAR-10-004 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-004.html). These tables can be downloaded from the RISE Web site (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/training/MBRS/RISEDescription.htm) in the section titled RISE Sample Formats for Competing New (Type 1) and Competing Renewal (Type 2) Applications under Competing Renewal (Type 2) RISE Grant Applications (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/training/MBRS/RISESampleTables.htm). The progress report section of the Research Plan must include all summarizing data tables, graphs, figures, diagrams and charts. Applicants may use the appendix to include evaluation instruments as well as detailed information that further clarifies the summarized data tables included in the Research Plan. The summarizing data tables in the body of the Research Plan must include clear and precise statements of the location of the required detailed information in the appendix.
The competing renewal application is treated like any new application except that the progress on the present program is also evaluated based on the goals and objectives outlined in the original application. Renewal applications that do not contain a progress report will be returned to the applicant.
Q. What are the guidelines for the required program-supported participant information to be included in the Research Plan of renewal applications?
A. Renewal applications must include in the appendix a list of appointed (program-supported) undergraduate (A.D./B.S./B.A.) and graduate (M.S./Ph.D.) participants, as applicable, including name; contact information (phone, address, e-mail); underrepresented group; gender; current academic status; degree pursued and institution. The Research Plan in renewal applications can include cumulative tables to summarize the required information on program-supported participants. Each summarizing table must include a clear and precise statement of the location of the required detailed information in the appendix.
Q. What happens to grant renewal applications if evaluation of the outcomes does not show improvement as proposed in the original application?
A. It depends on the reasons for the lack of progress during the past grant period. If an evaluation analysis of the outcomes identifies the causes for failure and alternative strategies to overcome the problems were proposed, the application could engender enthusiasm among reviewers. A careful analysis of the process and the outcomes in the previous application and a logical justification of the new approaches proposed in the renewal application are very important in convincing the reviewers favorably.
Q. What application forms should be used to prepare a competing renewal application?
A. Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) Application Forms and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for this FOA through Grants.gov/Apply. Only the forms package directly attached to the RISE FOA can be used. You will not be able to use any other SF424 (R&R) forms (e.g., sample forms, forms from another FOA) although some of the "Attachment" files may be useable for more than one FOA.
Resubmission of Applications
Q. Where does an applicant respond to the comments of the reviewers?
A. The applicant should acknowledge the reviewer's concerns and issues in the Introduction section (limited to three pages, see Form 424 instructions), and explain how the revised application is different from the previous application. Changes to the application in response to the critiques should be highlighted by change in font or indentation as outlined in the instructions. The concerns and issues are noted in the Resume and Summary of Discussion section and/or under each reviewer's critique of the summary statement. If the applicant does not agree with a reviewer's comments, the rationale for disagreeing with the reviewer should be explained.
Funding
Q. What is a fundable priority score? How are the funding decisions made for a RISE application?
A. There is no predetermined fundable score for a RISE application. Applications compete for available funds with all other recommended applications from eligible institutions. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
- Scientific merit of the proposed project as determined by peer review.
- Availability of funds.
- Relevance to program priorities.
- Research education development needs of the institution.
- Percent of enrolled students from underrepresented groups at the institution.
- Geographical distribution.
- Portfolio balance.
Q. An application was submitted on X date. When will the applicant know if it will be funded?
A. Although NIH is trying to shorten this time interval, the current time from submission to award is about 10-11 months. During this time, your application is received, assigned to NIGMS and referred to a study section for the first level of review. After it is scored, it undergoes the second level of review by the National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council. Program staff then makes funding recommendations to the NIGMS director. Until funding recommendations are approved, TWD staff will not be able to provide the applicant definite information on the funding status of an application.
Q. What should applicants do if not funded?
A. Be prepared to revise and resubmit your application. Revising is your opportunity to respond to the criticisms of the Scientific Review Group and use their comments to improve your grant application. First, talk with your program director to review your summary statement and to obtain advice. It is also wise to ask someone experienced in grantsmanship and not involved in your RISE program to review your application, summary statement and revision plans.
Q. What happens if there is money left over at the end of the year? Is carryover of funds allowed?
A. RISE grants have Expanded Authorities as of April 1, 2009. For more information visit: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/NIHGPS_Part7.htm#_Toc54600128. Please note that rebudgeting of funds originally requested for participant research salaries requires NIGMS prior approval. Contact the grant program official at TWD for further information.
Q. How does an institution process a no-cost extension if this is the last year of the grant?
A. A grantee institution can extend the project period using eRA Commons for up to 1 year if the request is submitted on or before the anniversary date of the parent grant, provided you do not change the scope of the program. If a no-cost extension is needed, it must be done within 90 days before the end of the grant by the institution’s grants office.
Please note that only students already in the program can be supported while a grant is on no-cost extension.
Progress Reports and Noncompeting Applications
Q. Is a progress report (noncompeting continuation application) required each year? Which application forms should be used to prepare my progress report, and where can they be found?
A. A progress report (noncompeting continuation application) is required annually to request support for the following year of the grant period. Failure to submit a satisfactory progress report by the deadline (see below) might lead to delay, suspension or termination of the grant.
Progress reports to continue support of a Public Health Service (PHS) grant must be prepared using PHS 2590 (forms and instructions are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm). In addition to the PHS 2590 instructions, follow the guidelines suggested in the RISE Supplemental Instructions.
Q. What information must be included in the annual progress report (noncompeting continuation application)? What is the page limit for the progress report?
A. Grantees should follow the current PHS 2590 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm) and RISE Supplemental Instructions. In general, the progress report should summarize the progress achieved in the reporting period with respect to the RISE program goals. The narrative part is limited to three pages, and numerical and other data may be presented in tabular form (tables and figures are not counted in the three-page limit).
The appendix must include the annual evaluation report as well as student appointment forms (Statement of Appointment Form PHS 2271) for each program participant supported by the program during the reporting period.
Q. How is the budget for the continuing year presented?
A. Under the Streamlined Noncompeting Award Process (SNAP) the details of the budget have been worked out in the original Notice of Grant Award communication. Budget details are required only if there are major changes, as reflected by positive answers to any of the SNAP questions.
Q. When and where are the annual progress reports (noncompeting continuation applications) submitted?
A. Progress reports are required to continue support of a PHS grant and for NIH grantees, and must be submitted 2 months before the beginning date of the next budget period using the PHS 2590 (forms and instructions are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm). In addition to the PHS 2590 instructions, follow the guidelines below to prepare the progress report.
Grantees can access a Web site hosted by the NIH Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration to determine which progress reports are due. The site located at http://era.nih.gov/userreports/pr_due.cfm. Grantees are responsible for periodically checking the list, which is updated on/around the 30th of each month. In addition to this Web site, e-mail reminders are sent to the PI.
Progress Report Submission Guidelines
Streamlined Non-Competing Award Procedures (SNAP)
Progress Reports must be submitted following the Streamlined Noncompeting Award Procedures (SNAP) as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Information about eSNAP is available on the eRA Commons Web site at http://era.nih.gov/services_for_applicants/reports_and_closeout/esnap.cfm. If your institution has never used eSNAP before, please review the eSNAP User Guide [PDF, 1MB] as it has information on how to enable the eSNAP feature for your institution as well as step-by-step instructions on how to submit your annual progress reports electronically.
Q. Who should an applicant contact for additional questions regarding the RISE program institutional eligibility, policies, review process, budget and grants issues?
A. For institutional eligibility and program policies regarding proposal application and submission that are not related to existing grants:
Robin Broughton, Ph.D.
Program Director, Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity
National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH
45 Center Drive, MSC 6200
Room 2AS.43E
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
Telephone: 301-594-3900
Fax: 301-480-2753
E-mail: broughtonrs@mail.nih.gov
For questions on the review of applications:
Helen R. Sunshine, Ph.D.
Chief, Office of Scientific Review
National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH
45 Center Drive, MSC 6200
Room 3AN.12F
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
Tel: 301-594-2881
Fax: 301-480-8506
E-mail: sunshinh@nigms.nih.gov
For questions on grants management and fiscal matters:
Lori Burge
Grants Management Officer
Grants Management Branch
Division of Extramural Activities
National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH
45 Center Drive, MSC 6200
Room 2AN.50A
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200
Tel: 301-451-3781
Fax: 301-480-2554
E-mail: burgel@nigms.nih.gov