NIA Career Transition Award (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

NIA Career Transition Award (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is sponsored by National Institutes of Health (NIH). Facilitates the transition of mentored researchers to tenure-track faculty conducting research that advances the mission of the National Institute on Aging.

Expired PAR-24-120: NIA Career Transition Award (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) This notice has expired. For NIH, in limited situations, applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis for a short period after expiration to accommodate NIH late or continuous submission policies . Contact the eRA Service Desk for any submission issues.

Check the NIH Guide for active opportunities and notices. Department of Health and Human Services NIA Career Transition Award (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Part 1.

Overview Information Participating Organization(s) National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) Components of Participating Organizations Funding Opportunity Title NIA Career Transition Award (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) K22 Career Transition Award Notices of Special Interest associated with this funding opportunity June 5, 2025 - Notice of Change to Key Dates Listed in PAR-24-120, "NIA Career Transition Award (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)".

See Notice NOT-AG-25-019 March 31, 2025 - This funding opportunity was updated to align with agency priorities. Carefully reread the full funding opportunity and make any needed adjustments to your application prior to submission. April 04, 2024 - Overview of Grant Application and Review Changes for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025.

See Notice NOT-OD-24-084 August 31, 2022 - Implementation Changes for Genomic Data Sharing Plans Included with Applications Due on or after January 25, 2023. See Notice NOT-OD-22-198 . August 5, 2022 - Implementation Details for the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy.

See Notice NOT-OD-22-189 . Funding Opportunity Number (FON) Companion Notice of Funding Opportunity See Section III. 3.

Additional Information on Eligibility . Assistance Listing Number(s) Funding Opportunity Purpose The purpose of the NIA K22 Career Transition Award is to facilitate the transition of mentored, postdoctoral researchers to tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions conducting research that advances the mission of NIA.

This award does not provide postdoctoral phase funding; therefore, candidates should be prepared to transition to tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions within 12 months after confirmation of a positive funding decision. After transition to an approved faculty position at an extramural institution/organization, the award will provide three years of protected research time through salary and research support.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is designed specifically for candidates proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. Open Date (Earliest Submission Date) Letter of Intent Due Date(s) The following table includes NIH standard due dates marked with an asterisk.

Dates in bold and italics reflect changes per NOT-AG-25-019 Renewal / Resubmission / Revision (as allowed) AIDS - New/Renewal/Resubmission/Revision, as allowed All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. Applications are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.

New Date July 13, 2026 as per NOT-AG-25-019 (Old Expiration Date: November 13, 2025) Required Application Instructions It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Career Development (K) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide , except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts ).

Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the NOFO) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV . When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions.

Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review. There are several options available to submit your application through Grants. gov to NIH and Department of Health and Human Services partners.

You must use one of these submission options to access the application forms for this opportunity. Use the NIH ASSIST system to prepare, submit and track your application online. Use an institutional system-to-system (S2S) solution to prepare and submit your application to Grants.

gov and eRA Commons to track your application. Check with your institutional officials regarding availability. Workspace to prepare and submit your application and eRA Commons to track your application.

Part 1. Overview Information Part 2. Full Text of Announcement Section I.

Funding Opportunity Description Section II. Award Information Other Award Budget Information Section III. Eligibility Information Section IV.

Application and Submission Information Section V. Application Review Information Section VI. Award Administration Information Activation of the K22 Award Section VII.

Agency Contacts Section VIII. Other Information Part 2. Full Text of Announcement Section I.

Funding Opportunity Description The overall goal of the NIH Research Career Development program is to help ensure that a pool of highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the Nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs.

NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) support a variety of mentored and non-mentored career development award programs designed to foster the transition of new investigators to research independence and to support established investigators in achieving specific objectives. Candidates should review the different career development (K) award programs to determine the best program to support their goals.

More information about Career programs may be found at the NIH Research Training and Career Development website. The objective of this K22 award is to support mentored, postdoctoral researchers in transitioning to their first non-mentored, tenure-track or equivalent faculty position by providing three years of protected research time and grant support in the form of a non-mentored career development award.

Candidates should be postdoctoral researchers who are preparing to transition to a tenure-track or equivalent faculty position; however, the intended faculty institution will typically NOT be known at the time of the initial K22 application.

This NOFO will use the term “ submitting institution ” to refer to the candidate’s current institution where they hold a mentored research position, and will use the term “ transition institution ” to refer to the institution where the candidate will eventually begin a faculty position. The candidate and the submitting institution will work together to submit an initial K22 application.

Successful candidates will receive an Approval Letter from NIA and will be considered K22 selectees. To activate the K22 award, within 12 months of receiving the Approval Letter, the selectee must secure a full-time, tenure-track or equivalent assistant professor position at their desired transition institution.

The candidate will then work with the transition institution to submit a transition application to NIA detailing the faculty position. The K22 award will be issued to the transition institution only if NIA approves the transition application.

The three-year funding support is to allow the individual to establish an independent research program at the transition institution and prepare an application for independent research grant support, such as a Research Project Grant (R01). NIA is committed to building and developing the scientific workforce in aging.

Retention of researchers from the postdoctoral to the faculty phase is key to maintaining a robust aging research field and is the goal of the K99/R00 programs and this K22 program.

Unlike the K99/R00, which requires one to two years of additional mentored, postdoctoral research before beginning a faculty position, the K22 is designed to facilitate the rapid transition of postdoctoral researchers who are prepared for independence into tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions in NIA priority research areas.

Potential candidates are encouraged to learn more about NIA’s research interests by visiting the NIA Strategic Directions and AD+ADRD Research Implementation Milestones .

While K22 selectees are encouraged to explore faculty positions beyond their current institution, the transition institution can be the same as the initial submitting institution, except when the initial submitting institution is a federal agency, as tenure-track or equivalent positions within the federal government will not be considered eligible. See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations.

Section II. Award Information Grant: A financial assistance mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity. Application Types Allowed The OER Glossary and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on these application types.

Not Allowed: Only accepting applications that do not propose clinical trials. Note: Applicants may propose to gain experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor/co-mentor as part of their research career development. Need help determining whether you are doing a clinical trial?

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Award budgets are composed of salary and other program-related expenses, as described below. The total project period may not exceed 3 years.

Other Award Budget Information NIH will contribute up to $116,000 per year toward the salary of the career award recipient, plus fringe benefits. Further guidance on budgeting for career development salaries is provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. See also NOT-OD-17-094 .

The total NIH contribution to salary, however, may not exceed the legislatively mandated salary cap . Other Program-Related Expenses NIH will contribute $58,000 per year toward the research development costs of the award recipient, which must be justified and consistent with the stage of development of the candidate and the proportion of time to be spent in research or career development activities.

These funds may be used for the following expenses: (a) tuition and fees related to career development; (b) research-related expenses, such as supplies, equipment and technical personnel; c) travel to research meetings or training; and (d) statistical services including personnel and computer time. Salary for mentors, secretarial and administrative assistants, etc. is not allowed.

Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities & Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs. NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made from this NOFO. Section III.

Eligibility Information Higher Education Institutions Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education Private Institutions of Higher Education Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education) Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education) For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses) City or Township Governments Special District Governments Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government U.S. Territory or Possession Independent School Districts Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Faith-based or Community-based Organizations Private (profit or non-profit) or public institutions, including the NIH intramural programs and other federal laboratories, are eligible to submit K22 applications.

For an intramural fellow to activate the K22 award, the candidate must transition to a tenure-track or equivalent faculty position at an extramural institution. NIH intramural laboratories and other agencies of the Federal Government are not eligible to be the transition institution. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement , are not allowed. Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award.

All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. Failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission, please reference NIH Grants Policy Statement 2.

3. 9. 2 Electronically Submitted Applications for additional information.

System for Award Management (SAM)– Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually . The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code.

NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code – Foreign organizations must obtain an NCAGE code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)- A UEI is issued as part of the SAM. gov registration process.

The same UEI must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application. eRA Commons - Once the unique organization identifier is established, organizations can register with eRA Commons in tandem with completing their Grants. gov registration; all registrations must be in place by time of submission.

eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application. Grants. gov – Applicants must have an active SAM registration in order to complete the Grants.

gov registration. Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s)) All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account. PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons.

If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks. All PD(s)/PI(s) must be registered with ORCID .

The personal profile associated with the PD(s)/PI(s) eRA Commons account must be linked to a valid ORCID ID. For more information on linking an ORCID ID to an eRA Commons personal profile see the ORCID topic in our eRA Commons online help .

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator) Any candidate with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the PD/PI is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support. Multiple PDs/PIs are not allowed.

By the time of award, the individual must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Card USCIS Form I-551, or other legal verification of such status).

Doctoral degree and postdoctoral experience: Applications will only be considered from candidates that have earned a terminal research doctorate or clinical degree (including PhD, MD, DO, DC, ND, DDS, DMD, DMV, ScD, DNS, PharmD, or equivalent) or combined research doctorate/clinical degrees. As of the relevant application due date, K22 applicants must have no more than 8 years of overall research experience post terminal degree.

Extensions to this 8-year limit will be considered for exceptional circumstances – please contact [email protected] to be considered. Current position: Individuals are not eligible to apply for the K22 award, or to receive the K22 approval letter, if they currently hold or have held an independent research faculty position, or its equivalent, in academia, industry or elsewhere.

It is recognized that some institutions appoint postdoctoral fellows in positions with other titles although they are still in non-independent, mentored training positions.

If a potential candidate is in a position that is not clearly identifiable as a postdoctoral training position, the candidate should submit an official statement of the institution’s policy (e.g. published position description in an official institutional document) which documents the position as a mentored, postdoctoral training position.

Clinical faculty members who do not hold an independent research faculty position may be eligible for the K22 award, but are encouraged to email [email protected] to obtain confirmation of their eligibility before they begin to prepare their applications. The requirement of a mentored, non-independent research position applies at the time of application, up through receipt of the K22 approval letter .

If a candidate achieves independence (any faculty or non-mentored research position) before the K22 approval letter is issued, this letter will not be issued and the K22 will not be awarded. Previous awards: Individuals are not eligible to apply for the K22, or to receive the K22 approval letter, if they currently hold or have held another individual NIH career development award (e.g., K01, K08, K18, K23, K25, K99/R00).

Individuals are not eligible to apply for the K22 if they currently are or have been the PD/PI on a major NIH research grant (such as R01, R29, or DP2), or an equivalent NIH or non-NIH award. Individuals are not eligible to apply for the K22 if they currently are or have been a subproject leader on an NIH multicomponent grant or cooperative agreement (e.g., P01, P50, U19), or an equivalent NIH or non-NIH award.

The previous awards requirement applies at the time of application, up through receipt of the K22 approval letter . If a candidate receives any of the above-mentioned awards before the K22 approval letter is issued, this letter will not be issued and the K22 will not be awarded. Individuals who hold or have held small research grants from the NIH (e.g., R03, R21), or equivalent non-NIH awards, remain eligible for the K22.

This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 1. 2 Definition of Terms . 3.

Additional Information on Eligibility Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct, and each is from a different candidate. NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time per NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2. 3.

7. 4 Submission of Resubmission Application . An individual may not have two or more competing NIH career development applications pending review concurrently.

In addition, NIH will not accept: A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission (A1) application. A resubmission (A1) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of the previous new (A0) application.

An application that has substantial overlap with another application pending appeal of initial peer review. (See NIH Grants Policy Statement 2. 3.

9. 4 Similar, Essentially Identical, or Identical Applications ). At the time of award, the candidate must have a “full-time” appointment at the transition institution.

Candidates are required to commit a minimum of 75% of full-time professional effort (i.e., a minimum of 9 person-months) to their program of career development. Candidates may engage in other duties as part of the remaining 25% of their full-time professional effort not covered by this award, as long as such duties do not interfere with or detract from the proposed career development program.

Candidates who have VA appointments may not consider part of the VA effort toward satisfying the full time requirement at the applicant institution. Candidates with VA appointments should contact the staff person in the relevant Institute or Center prior to preparing an application to discuss their eligibility. After the receipt of the award, adjustments to the required level of effort may be made in certain circumstances.

See NOT-OD-18-156 and NIH Grants Policy Statement , Section 12. 3. 6.

4 Temporary Adjustments to the Percent Effort Requirement for more details. Institutional Environment The transition institution must have a strong, well-established record of research and career development activities and faculty qualified in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research to collaborate with the applicant. Section IV.

Application and Submission Information 1. Requesting an Application Package Buttons to access the online ASSIST system or to download application forms are available in Part 1 of this NOFO. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Career Development (K) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide except where instructed in this notice of funding opportunity to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced.

Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review. For information on Application Submission and Receipt, visit Frequently Asked Questions – Application Guide, Electronic Submission of Grant Applications . All page limitations described in the How to Apply – Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.

Instructions for Application Submission The following section supplements the instructions found in the How to Apply – Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this NOFO. All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed. SF424(R&R) Project/Performance Site Locations All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

Other Project Information All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed. Include a description of your current research and the research you propose during the K22 award period. SF424(R&R) Senior/Key Person Profile Expanded All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed. As the transition institution is not typically known at the time of initial application, exact salary and fringe benefit rates are also not known. Applicants are encouraged to request the maximum salary amount and fringe benefits concordant with policies at the submitting institution.

Salary and fringe benefits will be updated in the Transition Application. PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

PHS 398 Career Development Award Supplemental Form The PHS 398 Career Development Award Supplemental Form is comprised of the following sections: Other Candidate Information Mentor, Co-Mentor, Consultant, Collaborators Environment & Institutional Commitment to the Candidate Other Research Plan Sections All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions: Candidate Information and Goals for Career Development Describe the candidate’s commitment to a career in a biomedical or behavioral research field relevant to the mission of the NIA.

Career Goals and Objectives​ Describe a systematic plan: (1) that shows a logical progression from prior research and training experiences to the research and career development experiences that will occur during the career award period and then to independent investigator status; and (2) articulates how the research and career development activities proposed will enable the candidate to achieve independent research funding and build a research program that is independent from the postdoctoral mentor’s research and relevant to NIA research priorities.

Candidate’s Plan for Career Development/Training Activities During Award Period The candidate must present a sound, individually tailored career development plan with a goal of successfully competing for independent research funding, achieving separation from the postdoctoral mentor, and building a research program relevant to NIA research priorities.

The plan must clearly articulate the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical science background, research expertise, and professional skills critical to launch the stated research program, and must describe in general terms activities that would be planned at the transition institution to enhance these skills, expertise, and knowledge.

It is critical the candidate proposes, in general terms, ample activities that will strengthen the skills of the candidate, including but not limited to research, grant writing, communication, leadership, mentoring research trainees, laboratory management, and teamwork. ?

Provide a timeline and plan for applying for independent research funding (for instance, an NIH R01 or similar NIH or non-NIH grant) prior to the end of the second year of K22 support. Provide a plan for separating from the postdoctoral mentor. An overall career development timeline, including a publication plan, is highly advisable.

The candidate must make a convincing case for how the proposed period of support will enhance their career and serve NIA’s mission. All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions: A well-developed research project fitting the candidate’s research background and level must be presented. The project must be in line with the mission of NIA.

While the research project will not be expected to be as detailed as an investigator-initiated research grant, such as the R01, it should demonstrate the scientific merit of the candidate’s research activities and training. The research plan must span both the period from approval to award and the award period itself.

The narrative should describe what the candidate will accomplish during any remaining postdoctoral period that will enable the transition into the independent research program. The research plan must be sufficiently distinct from the postdoctoral mentor’s research area as to lead to an independent line of research for the candidate.

The research plan must be well-integrated with the career development plan, specifically with the candidate’s timeline for applying for independent research funding. If proposing an ancillary clinical trial, provide a brief description of its relationship to the larger clinical trial.

If proposing a feasibility study, to begin to address a clinical question, provide justification why this is warranted and how it will contribute to the overall goals of the research project including planning and preliminary data for future, larger scale clinical trials.

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research All applications must include a plan to fulfill NIH requirements for instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR). See SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for instructions.

Mentor, Co-Mentor, Consultant, Collaborators Section All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions: Plans and Statements of Mentor and Co-mentor(s) Not Applicable. The NIA K22 is not a mentored award. To avoid application submission error messages, the candidate should include a document that simply reads "Not Applicable?

Letters of Support from Collaborators, Contributors and Consultants Signed statements must be provided by all collaborators and/or consultants confirming their participation in the project and describing their specific roles. Unless also listed as senior/key personnel, collaborators and consultants do not need to provide their biographical sketches.

However, information should be provided clearly documenting the appropriate expertise in the proposed areas of consulting/collaboration. Current and/or past mentors should not submit letters of support, since this is not a mentored award. Instead, current and/or past mentors and co-mentors should submit only letters of reference into eRA Commons."

Environmental and Institutional Commitment to the Candidate All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions: Description of Institutional Environment As the transition institution will not yet be determined at the time of the initial K22 application, describe resources available to the candidate at the submitting institution which will support the candidate’s transition to a faculty position.

For instance, interview coaching or preparation programs, sources of career advice, and research resources important for sustaining the candidate’s research project during the approval period prior to transition to a faculty position. Describe, in general terms, any specialized facilities or resources that will be required at the transition (faculty) institution to foster the candidate’s independent research development.

Institutional Commitment to the Candidate’s Research Career Development The department chair or similar institutional official at the submitting (postdoctoral) institution must provide a statement of commitment to the candidate's development into a productive, independent investigator and to their pursuit of an independent faculty position.

This statement must describe the institution’s support of the candidate pursuing faculty positions at outside institutions. This may include preparation for the faculty job market, protected time for faculty interviews, and resources necessary to sustain the candidate’s research program during their faculty job search.

It should be clear that this institutional commitment to the candidate is not contingent upon receipt of this career award. Note: Effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2023, the Data Management and Sharing Plan will be attached in the Other Plan(s) attachment in FORMS-H application forms packages.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions: All applicants planning research (funded or conducted in whole or in part by NIH) that results in the generation of scientific data are required to comply with the instructions for the Data Management and Sharing Plan.

All applications, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, must address a Data Management and Sharing Plan. Limited items are allowed in the Appendix. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide; any instructions provided here are in addition to the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide instructions.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information When involving NIH-defined human subjects research, clinical research, and/or clinical trials (and when applicable, clinical trials research experience) follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following additional instructions: If you answered “Yes” to the question “Are Human Subjects Involved?

” on the R&R Other Project Information form, you must include at least one human subjects study record using the Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form or Delayed Onset Study record. Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

For NOFOs that do not allow independent clinical trials, do not complete Section 4 – Protocol Synopsis information or Section 5 - Other Clinical Trial-related Attachments. Note: Delayed onset does NOT apply to a study that can be described but will not start immediately (i.e., delayed start). All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

PHS Assignment Request Form All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed. Candidates must carefully follow the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, including the time period for when reference letters will be accepted . Applications lacking the appropriate required reference letters will not be reviewed.

This is a separate process from submitting an application electronically. Reference letters are submitted directly through the eRA Commons Submit Referee Information link and not through Grants. gov. 3.

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) See Part 1. Section III. 1 for information regarding the requirement for obtaining a unique entity identifier and for completing and maintaining active registrations in System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (if applicable), eRA Commons, and Grants.

gov 4. Submission Dates and Times Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates and Times.

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that