April 4, 2024
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH)
This notice provides the research and research training community an overview of application and peer review changes impacting grant applications submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2025, including:
Although each of these initiatives has specific goals, they are all meant to simplify, clarify, and/or promote greater fairness towards a level playing field for applicants throughout the application and review processes.
NIH will release additional details and guidance on these initiatives throughout 2024 which will be cross-referenced in this notice as well.
Simplified Review Framework for Most Research Project Grant Applications
Whats Changing
The Simplified Framework for NIH Peer Review Criteria retains the five regulatory criteria (Significance, Investigators, Innovation, Approach, Environment) but reorganizes them into three factors — two will receive numerical scores and one will be evaluated for sufficiency. All three factors will be considered in arriving at the Overall Impact score.
Goals
Scope
Peer review of most research project applications (see affected activity codes) submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2025.
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Revisions to the NIH Fellowship Application and Review Process
Whats Changing
NIH is revising the fellowship review criteria used to evaluate fellowship applications and modifying the PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form to align with the restructured review criteria.
Goals
Scope
All fellowship applications submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2025.
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Updates to Reference Letter Instructions for Referees
Whats Changing
Instruction changes only. Reference letter submission process will remain the same.
Goal
NIH is updating the instructions for reference letters to provide more structure so letters will better assist reviewers in understanding the candidates strengths, weaknesses, and potential to pursue a productive career in biomedical science.
Scope
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Updates to NRSA Training Grant Applications
Whats Changing
The NIH National Research Service Award (NRSA) Training Program applications are undergoing changes that take effect for submissions due on or after January 25, 2025. These modifications impact the PHS 398 Research Training Program Plan Form (the Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity will become its own attachment instead of part of the 25-page program plan) and the NRSA Training Tables.
Goals
Scope
NRSA training grant applications and other applications that use the T forms (such as K12s) submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2025.
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Updated Application Forms (FORMS-I)
Whats Changing
Updated application forms are needed to support many of the changes identified in this notice.
Goals
Scope
All applications submitted to NIH for due dates on or after January 25, 2025. Related changes impacting Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) will be communicated separately based on effective dates of change(s).
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Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support
Whats Changing
NIH is adopting the Biographical Sketch Common Form and the Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form for application due dates and progress report submission on or after May 25, 2025. The Common Forms represent a collaborative effort between Federal research agencies to ensure standard disclosure requirements as outlined in the National Security Presidential Memorandum - 33.
Goals
Scope
All applications and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) submitted to NIH. Additional details forthcoming.
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NIH will host a series of webinars covering many of the changes. Details will be announced through the NIH Guide. Each webinar will be recorded for later viewing.
Webinar Topic | Date/Time frame |
NIH Simplified Review Framework for Research Project Grants (RPGs): Implementation and Impact on Funding Opportunities | April 17, 2024 |
Updates to NIH Training Grant Applications | June 5, 2024 |
Revisions to the Fellowship Application and Review Process | September 19, 2024 |
Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support | Planned, but not yet scheduled |
Please direct all inquiries to:
NIH Office of Extramural Research