From the NIH Inbox (Pre & Post Award)

Prior Approval

100

A Multi-PI grant Principal Investigator goes from 7.0 calendar months to 1.2 calendar months effort

What is significant change in level of effort? Prior approval is required when key personnel REDUCE their level of effort by a ratio change of 25%. While approval is not required for key personnel to increase their effort, a significant increase could raise the question about the impact of this change on the overall grant activity.

200

A number of TBN positions were never filled during the 1st year of the grant. The PI states in the -02 year progress report that the work can be done with the other positions listed on the proposal. The PI wants to utilize the funds from the TBN positions to purchase equipment, extra supplies and travel expenses.

What is rebudgeting or reprogramming? You might need to request this formally and separately from the PR. It is recommended to talk to the PO and the GMS before making such a request.

300

One month prior the end of the 1st no cost extension the Principal Investigator realizes that they still need to complete the final aim on the project. The PI talks to their BO to request this.

What is a 2nd NCE? This request should include the amount of the unobligated balance available, an explanation of the work to be performed during the extension, as well as updated IRB and/or IACUC certification and assurances, if applicable. Depending on the circumstances, the NIH grant management office might request an itemized budget and a project timeline.

400

The Principal Investigator on a project is retiring in the middle of the project period and the co-Investigator is willing to continue the work of the grant; the PI can request THIS through their Business Office.

What is Change of Principal Investigator? The Authorized Organizational Representative of the grantee institution must send a signed request to the GM Office seeking approval to change the PI on the grant. This request must include a justification of the change, the biosketch of the individual proposed, other support information, and any budget changes resulting from this change. Other items such as Cert. of HSEd might be requested.

500

DNAMart, who has many active SBIR awards, is being bought by RNABank. This new institution will be acquiring all of DNAMart's grants and assets.

What is Successor-in-Interest? Or Type 6 (as it is called at the NIH). A formal request should be submitted to the Chief GMO of the Administering IC.

Policies

100

The total direct costs amount actively awarded to a PI whose next application might go under a Special Council Review (SCR) while being considered for funding

What is $1M? A "newer" Special Council Review (SCR) policy to help NIH effectively manage resources. The policy requires NIH Institute and Center (IC) Advisory Councils to perform additional review of grant and cooperative agreement applications from PD(s)/PI(s) who receive $1.0 million per year in direct costs from active NIH awards. This most certainly does not represent a cap on total funding for any one PD/PI. SCR is limited to most (not all) RPGs.

200

Executive Level II Salary: (or $187,000)

What is the Salary Cap for NIH grants, cooperative agreements and contracts? Effective January 8, 2017

300

December 9, 2016

What is continuing resolution (CR)? The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including NIH, operates under the "Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act" (Public Law 114-223) signed by President Obama on September 29, 2016. This Act (CR) continues government operations through December 9, 2016 at 99.504 percent of the FY 2016 enacted level. NOT-OD-17-OO1

400

$58,560

What is the current Post Doc level 7 Stipend amount? NOT-OD-17-003 Revised: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Stipends, Tuition/Fees and Other Budgetary Levels Effective for Fiscal Year 2017

500

3.2% and 0.45%

What is the 'set aside' SBIR and STTR budget allocations FY17? This statute is included on the re-authorization PL 112-81.

Alphabet Soup

100

NoA

What is the Notice of Award? The official, legally binding document, signed (or the electronic equivalent of signature) by a Grants Management Officer that: 1.notifies the recipient of the award of a grant; 2.contains or references all the terms and conditions of the grant and Federal funding limits and obligations; and, 3.provides the documentary basis for recording the obligation of Federal funds in the NIH accounting system.

200

RPPR

What is the Research Performance Progress Report?

300

FCOI

What is Financial Conflict of Interest? The final revised rule was approved on August 25, 2011. All grantees were required to comply with this regulation by August 24, 2012. Basic FCOI framework remains the same regarding responsibilities and compliance.

400

FFATA

What is Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act? This requires all grantees to report every sub-award (consortium) of $25K+ through the FFATA subaward reporting system Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). NOA term indicates if FFATA reporting is required and the Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) is included in the NOA

500

FFR

What is the Final Federal Financial Report? This final report of expenditure data, submitted through the eRA Commons, is due within 120 days of the project period end date. You must ensure there are no discrepancies between the final FFR expenditure data and the FFR cash transaction data (PMS 272) in the Payment Management System.

FAQs

100

Laptop/tablets are allowable charges to NIH

What is "it depends"? Is it reasonable, necessary, and allocable? Does the institution normally allow these expenses when using department funds? Are these items of cost being charged consistently?

200

The following actions require NIH eRA COMMONS use/submission: a) Close-out Final Reports b) 1st no-cost extension c) JIT d) all of the above e) just a & b

What is "d"?

300

An article of tangible non-expendable personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit.

What is the NIH definition of equipment? However, consistent with recipient grantee policy, lower limits can be established.

400

Equipment purchase, membership dues, personal expenses, and research patient care are all unallowable costs under these types of grants.

What are scientific meetings (conference grants) U13/R13?

500

February 5th, June 5th, Oct 5th

What are the standard Due Dates for Competing R01s? http://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/due-dates-and-submission-policies/standard-due-dates.htm

Just for Fun :)

100

The year NIH was established.

What is 1887?

200

The first research university established in the United States.

What is Johns Hopkins University?

300

The risk of heart attacks is greatest on this day of the week.

What is Monday? (A ten year study in Scotland found that 20% more people die of heart attacks on Mondays. It is presumed to be caused by a combination of too much fun over the weekend with the stress of going back to work.)

400

Approximately 14,000

What is the number of people who work at the NIH?

500

He won a Nobel Prize in 1989 for his work in cancer research.

Who is Dr. Harold Varmus? Dr. Harold Varmus is a past Director, NIH (1993-1999) and is currently the Director of the National Cancer Institute, NIH (2010-present).