11 1 Enhancing Peer Review Frequently Asked Questions on Application Changes

2 Overview and Timeline Phase out of A2 applications Identification of Early Stage Investigator (ESI) R01 applications Enhanced review criteria New scoring system Criterion scoring Structured critiques Score order review Clustering of New Inv. Applications Restructured Applications Shorter Page Limits and New Instructions January 2009 May/June 2009 Reviews January 25, 2010 Submissions

Reminder Major changes to application forms intended for due dates on or after January 25, 2010: –Restructured Application Forms Require the downloading of new forms (paper and electronic) –New Instructions Including Shorter Page Limits For ALL competing applications: New, Renewal, Revision, and Resubmission 3

Web Video on Application Changes 4

555 Answering Your Questions How are applications being restructured? What are the new page limits? What if I submit my application early? Do the changes apply to paper applications? What are the implications for resubmissions? What are the changes for Ts, Ks, and Fs? Do you have grant-writing advice? Can I start writing my research plan now? How do I know which application package to use? Are there changes to Research Plan attachments? How does this affect continuous submission?

How are applications being restructured? There are 3 major changes! 1.Research Plan: –Specific Aims Separate page Includes new language about the impact of the proposed research –Research Strategy New section with 3 parts –Significance –Innovation –Approach »Preliminary Studies for New Applicants »Progress Report for Renewal and Revision Applications 6

How are applications being restructured? (Continued) 2.Resources: –Better reflects the Environment criterion –Includes institutional commitment and support for ESIs 3.Biographical Sketch: –Includes a Personal Statement –Provides guidelines for inclusion of 15 publications NOTE: For Renewal Type 2 applications, the list of publications from the previous competing period is a separate section and is not included in the Biographical Sketch publications 7

Research Strategy: 6, 12, or 30 pages* Specific Aims: 1 page Introduction for resubmissions/revisions: 1 page * * Check table of page limits for exceptions What are the new page limits? 8

9 What if I submit my application early? No problem, but… Changes apply to ALL applications intended for the January 25, 2010 due date and beyond –Applications submitted early must use the new forms and follow the new instructions including shorter page limits

Do the changes apply to paper applications? YES! Changes have been made to both electronic and paper application packages –Applicants must read the new FOA and application instructions carefully –Page limits apply to multi-component applications 10

11 What are the implications for resubmissions? New page limits must be followed for resubmissions –No grandparenting of page limits –All activity codes! No exceptions! Applicants need to download the new forms and follow the new instructions Reminder: An A2 application is allowed until January 7, 2011 if the A0 was submitted before January 25, 2009

What are the changes for Ts, Fs, and Ks? Training (T) applications* –Page limit remains at 25 –Transition to electronic applications at same time –Biosketch and Resources changes apply Career Development (K) applications* –Page limit decreases to 12 pages –Research Strategy changes apply –Biosketch and Resources changes apply Fellowship (F) applications –Page limit decreases to 6 pages –Research Strategy changes apply –Biosketch and Resources changes apply * Check table of page limits for exceptions 12

Do you have grant-writing advice? Certainly! Applicants should: Read and follow all the application instructions ( Read and address the review criteria Pay attention to any special features of the FOA 13

Can I start writing my research plan now? Of course! Applicants may begin writing their research plan now … but should wait to download the forms as they become available (via link in FOA) in December Read the Enhancing Peer Review website with links to: The Guide Notices Table of Page Limits Details of Application Changes And other resources… 14

How do I know which application package to use? Until early February, applicants will have to choose between the old and new application packages Applications submitted with incorrect forms will be delayed and may not be reviewed! 15 Until January 25, 2010On and after January 25, 2010 Electronic SF 424 (R&R)ADOBE-FORMS-AADOBE-FORMS-B Paper PHS 398Revision date “11/2007”Revision date “06/2009”

Are there changes to research plan attachments? Yes! 2 major changes: 1. A single attachment for the Research Strategy increases applicant control by combining the previous 3 sections: Background and Significance Preliminary Studies/Progress Report Research Designs and Methods 16

Are there changes to research plan attachments? (continued) 2.The Research Strategy section will not have bookmarks. Applicants should use these headings: Significance Innovation Approach –Preliminary Studies for New Applications –Progress Report for Renewal and Revision Applications 17

18 How does this affect continuous submission? Non-AIDS applications –Before January 25, applicants need to use ADOBE-FORMS-A –On and after January 25, they must use ADOBE-FORMS-B R01, R21, and R34 AIDS applications –Until February 7, applicants should use ADOBE-FORMS-A for applications that would have been due on January 7 –After February 7, applicants must use ADOBE-FORMS-B

Once you’ve submitted… Applicants, do not just submit and walk away from your electronic application submissions; you must: –Check eRA Commons for errors and warnings –Promptly address any issues identified –Check your application one more time! Failure to follow instructions will NOT be an acceptable reason for a late application. 19

For additional information: Enhancing Peer Review at NIH Web Site