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Frequently Asked Questions
NIH
QUESTIONS
- What's the difference between a PA and an RFA?
- If one NIH institute denies my application, can I submit
it to another institute at the
NIH?
- Is there a limit on the number of amended/revised applications
I can submit?
- What type/font size must I use on NIH applications?
And is there a page limit?
- Once submitted, when can I expect to hear whether
my project will be funded?
NSF QUESTIONS
- Where can I get the current Grant Proposal Guide?
- Does NSF have a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ?
- What is NSF's Consultant Rate?
PROPOSAL ROUTING FORM QUESTIONS
- The proposal routing form has space for only three investigators. What
if the project has more?
- If the Project Director is collaborating with Co-PIs from other departments
on campus, must the chair of each department sign the
proposal routing form?
PROPOSAL PREPARATION QUESTIONS
- How do I find out more about the new business processes?
- How do I find out more about the electronic research administration or eRA system?
- I've got an idea for a research project. Where do I start on my proposal?
- How can I get help in putting together a budget for
my proposal?
- I'm filling out a grant and need to know the University's
Tax ID Number, DUNS Number, Cage Code and some other numbers. Where
would I find those?
What is the difference between cost sharing and matching?
- I'm working on a proposal and need someone with
expertise in research methodology and statistics. Who can I talk to
on campus?
GEPA STATEMENT
What does the Provision Require?
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
QUESTIONS
- My proposal is written. I've finished the budget, and I've filled
out the necessary forms. Now what?
- Who is responsible for copying the proposal for
the sponsor?
- Who is responsible for packaging and mailing the proposal?
- If I submit a proposal electronically do I also need
to route the traditional paper copy?
NIH QUESTIONS
What's the difference between a PA and
an RFA?
Program announcements (PAs) differ from Requests for Applications
(RFAs) in that applications for RFAs are generally evaluated
for their scientific merit by standing or ad hoc committees within
an institute. Proposals responding to PAs use NIH's two-tier
system: scientific review occurs in study section within the
Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and an award review occurs
within the various institutes.
The steps to submit either are the same, except that investigators
responding to PAs must type in the title and number of the PA on line 2 of
the PHS-398 application face page and check the 'yes' box. Investigators may
also request a particular study section although the request may or may not
be honored. In your cover letter, you may also request that a second institue
consider your proposal for funding even if the PA is issued by a particular
institute. If it scores high and is deemed highly relevant to program goals,
another institute may consider it for funding and this gives your proposal
a second chance to be funded.
RFAs often specify a fixed amount of funds available
for projects so funding rates depend on the number of applications received.
PAs do not specify an amount because they are funded using a general pool of
extramural research funds.
If one NIH institute denies my application, can I
submit it to another institute at the NIH?
No. The NIH says "it has been a long-standing Public Health Service
(PHS) policy that the same application will not be reviewed within
the PHS more than once. Reasons for this policy are to avoid
added burdens on the review system, as well as avoid added burdens
on principal investigators and their institutions. Therefore,
the submission of identical or very similar applications to thye
agencies of the PHS or to different Institutes/Centers within
an agency is not allowed, even if the duplicate submissions occur
for different review rounds or in response to different initiatives
(e.g., Program Announcements or Requests for Applications). The
two exceptions to this policy are: 1) an applications for an
Independent Scientist Award (K02) may propose essentially identical
research as proposed for an individual research project, and
2) an individual research project may be submitted that is essentially
identical to a subproject of a program project or center grant
application.
In accordance with this policy, the Division of Receipt and Referral,
CSR, cannot accept any application that is essentially the same
as one currently pending initial review, unless the applicant
first withdraws the pending application. Nor will CSR accept
any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed.
Applicants may submit substantial revisions of applications already
reviewd, but such applications must include an introduction addressing
the previous critique and indicating how the amended application
differs from the previous version."
Is there a limit on the number of amended/revised
applications I can submit?
Yes. The NIH reports that in June, 1996, the "NIH announced a policy limiting
the number of amended versions of an application that will be
accepted to two. The amended versions must be submitted within
two years of the original application. If an applicant is not
successful after three attempts at funding (the initial submission
and two revisions), she'he is expected to make a significant
change in the direction and approach for subsequent research
applications. It is not appropriate to submit an essentially
identical or only slightly changed application as a new application.
Such applications identified by the Division of Receipt and Referral,
CSR, will withdrawn from the review process."
What type/font size must I use on NIH applications?
And is there a page limit?
Page limitations are specified in each application kit, although
they are sometimes modified in specific instructions for Program
announcements or Requests for Applications. Peer reviewers (who
are themselves applicants) expect that all applications they
review will conform to these requirements. Applications that
do not conform to these instructions may be returned to the applicant
organization before assignment, or may be withdrawn from the
review process after assignment. Therefore, applicants are urged
to be sure that their applications conform to these requirements."
Once submitted, when can I expect to hear whether
my project will be funded?
NSF QUESTIONS
Where can I get the current Proposal Guide?
At this website: NSF
Grant Proposal Guide
Does NSF have a list of Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)?
Yes. NSF
FAQ
What is NSF's Consultant Rate?
Check the current
rate.
PROPOSAL ROUTING FORM QUESTIONS
The proposal routing form has space for only three
investigators. What if the project has more?
Include additional routing forms as needed. You do not need to
fill out everything on the additional forms...just the investigator
information.
If the Project Director is collaborating with
Co-PIs from other departments on campus, must the chair of each department
sign the proposal routing form?
Yes. Each department needs to be aware of the projects in which
various investigators are involved. If there isn't room on the
proposal routing form, please print additional copies of the
form, get the signatures, and attach these extra sheets to the
proposal.
GEPA STATEMENT
What is GEPA?
The Department of Education's General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) applies to applicants for new grant awards under Department programs. This provision is Section 427 of GEPA, enacted as part of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-382). All applicants for new awards must include information in their applications to address this new provision in order to receive funding.
What does the Provision Require?
Section 427 requires each applicant for funds (other than an individual person) to include in the application a description of the steps the applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access to, and participation in, its Federally-assisted program for students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs.
To assist researchers, the Office of Research has prepared the following to meet this requirement:
In carrying out its educational mission, the University of Notre Dame will ensure to the fullest extent possible the equitable participation of, and appropriate educational opportunities for, those individuals involved. Federally funded activities, programs and services will be accessible to all teachers, students, and other program beneficiaries with special needs to participate fully in the proposed projects.
The University does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, socio-economic status, national origin, race, gender, genetic predisposition or sexual orientation in its education and research programs, services and activities. It provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations to meet the learning and evaluation needs of a diverse group of students, faculty, and other participants.
The steps taken in this project to illustrate how we will ensure equitable access will include.........
(PI provides examples here such as printing brochures in languages other than English, conducting outreach efforts to encourage those not likely to participate in the project, making the program materials available in braille and/or audiotapes, etc.)
PROPOSAL PREPARATION QUESTIONS
How do I find out more about the new business processes?
We've created a list of Frequently Asked Questions, or feel free to submit some questions/comments of your own on our Questions/Comments page
How do I find out more about the electronic research administration or eRA system?
We've created a list of Frequently Asked Questions, or feel free to submit some questions/comments of your own on our Questions/Comments page
I've got an idea for a research project. Where
do I start on my proposal?
Our website is a great
place to start. Our goal is to maintain all of the information you'd
need in locating funding opportunities, to writing your proposal,
to routing it through the University, and procedures after you receive
the award. Another recommendation is to contact the program officer
of the sponsor. He/she can tell you whether your idea is on track
with their research interests, or not. And feel free to call the
Research Hotline to set up an appointment with one of our administrators.
With all of their experience, they can answer any question you may
have.
How can I get help in putting together a
budget for my proposal?
Help is available online in the Proposal
Preparation area of our website. There you'll find current
forms, Facilities and Administrative Cost Rates (indirect costs),
fringe benefit rates, insurance rates, and other important budget
information you'll need for your proposal. Or you can call the
Office of Research at 1-7432, or email
us.
I'm filling out a grant and need to know
the University's Tax ID Number, DUNS Number, Cage Code and some
other numbers. Where would I find those?
You'll find them on the Office of Research website in the "Information
at a Glance" section of the Research
Handbook.
What is the difference between cost sharing
and matching?
Both cost sharing and matching provide funds (in addition to
the sponsor's award) toward the total cost of a research project.
Generally, cost sharing occurs when the University uses its own
funds for this purpose, while matching takes place when the University
raises funds from another source. However, matching can also
occur when a sponsor requires that the University "match" what
it provides on the basis of some prescribed formula (e.g., one
for one match).
I'm working on a proposal and need
someone with expertise in research methodology and statistics.
Who can I talk to on campus?
Please contact the Laboratory
for Social Research at its website, (574) 631-6165 or send
an email to lsrweb@nd.edu.
PROPOSAL
SUBMISSION QUESTIONS
My
proposal is written. I've finished the budget, and I've filled out
the necessary forms. Now what?
Your proposal must be routed through the University. Each proposal needs
a Proposal Routing Form available here. This form is used by Notre Dame
to obtain the internal approvals necessary for submitting a proposal to
an external funding source. After filling it out, you must sign the routing
form. You then need to obtain the signatures of any co-investigators on
the project, your department chair and dean. After obtaining those signatures,
bring your proposal to the Office of Research at 511 Main Building. We
will review and approve your proposal for the university. We can also
mail it for you to the sponsor. If you bring your proposal in at least
three days prior to the deadline, the Office of Research will pay the
FedEx charges rather than your department.
Who
is responsible for copying the proposal for the sponsor?
The project director is responsible for making the necessary copies for
the sponsor, and one for the Office of Research files.
Who
is responsible for packaging and mailing the proposal?
Either the Office of Research, or you, can mail the proposal. The Office
of Research mails the majority of proposals for faculty members. We have
the necessary packaging here on hand. We take pride in not missing a deadline.
However, if you prefer to mail the proposal, the choice is yours. If you
bring your proposal to the Office of Research at least three days prior
to the deadline, we will also pay the FedEx charges. If your proposal
reaches us two or fewer days before the deadline, your department is responsible
for those fees.
Why
doesn't the Office of Research use Airborne Express?
Here are some of the reasons:
-
- Most of our packages must arrive by a certain deadline. If delivery is guaranteed by 10:30am, an additional fee of $3 is added to the cost of each Airborne package. At Federal Express, packages sent Priority Mail are guaranteed to be there in the morning at no extra cost.- All packages must be weighed for the airbills. We have no scale that can weigh heavy packages. We do no weighing with Federal Express.- All our airbills need account numbers for various university departments and centers. We would need a list of all these numbers for Airborne.- Airborne packages weighing under 5 pounds can be picked up during the day by Mail Distribution and packages over 5 pounds can be picked up during the day by Central Receiving. This service is available before 2pm only. Most of our packages are not ready this early in the day.
-
- Airborne would like airbills to be done via the web. Since our mailings are done during the day and mostly last minute, we do these airbills as needed so they all don't have to be done at the end of the day when we're busy. We have no way of knowing when our packages are going out since some of them do not have due dates and do not have to go ot immediately. Sometimes the airbills are done one day and not used until several days later.
If
I submit a proposal electronically do I also need to route the traditional
paper copy?
In addition to the electronic version, you must route the traditional
paper copy of the proposal along with Proposal Routing Form through the
regular approval process. It is important that the routing form be clearly
marked "Electronic Submission." After review and approval of the paper
copy, the Office of Research will submit the electronic proposal or inform
you it's ready so you an submit it.
Site Last Modified: Tuesday, July 8, 2008
