RFA-RM-26-004: NIH Director’s Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)

RFA-RM-26-004: NIH Director’s Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) is sponsored by National Institutes of Health (NIH). Provides support for exceptional junior scientists to establish independent research programs.

RFA-RM-27-004: NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) Department of Health and Human Services Part 1.

Overview Information Participating Organization(s) National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) Components of Participating Organizations NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH ( NIH ) This Notice Of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is developed as a Common Fund initiative through the Office of the NIH Director, Office of Strategic Coordination. All NIH Institutes and Centers participate in Common Fund initiatives.

Grants management of awards will be administered by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research on behalf of NIH. Funding Opportunity Title NIH Director's Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) DP5 Early Independence Award Check for any recent Notices of NIH Policy Changes that may impact application requirements. Funding Opportunity Number (FON) Companion Funding Opportunity See Part 2, Section III.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility. Assistance Listing Number(s) Funding Opportunity Purpose The NIH Director's Early Independence Award helps talented new researchers begin their own independent research program soon after finishing their doctoral degree or clinical training, without first doing postdoctoral training.

The award accepts applications on any topic fitting the NIH mission. It is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research program. Funding Opportunity Goal(s) This listing covers multiple offices in the NIH Office of the Director that offer assistance awards or supplements to assistance awards.

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date) 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. Applicants 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.

No late applications will be accepted for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Required Application Instructions It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide , except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts ).

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

gov 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. Notice of Funding Opportunity Description Section II. Award Information Section III.

Eligibility Information Section IV. Application and Submission Information Section V. Application Review Information Section VI.

Award Administration Information Section VII. Agency Contacts Section VIII. Other Information Part 2.

Full Text of Announcement Section I. Notice of Funding Opportunity Description The NIH Director's Early Independence Award helps exceptional new scientists start independent research careers right after finishing their doctoral degree or clinical training, forgoing postdoctoral training.

This award is intended for early-stage investigators who have a record of scientific innovation and research productivity and have demonstrated unusual scientific vision and maturity. NIH program staff will hold a pre-application webinar to explain the program and answer questions about the application and review process. Check the NIH Calendar of Events for more information.

Questions should be sent to EarlyIndependence@od. nih. gov .

More information, FAQs, application guide, and webinar recording are on the Common Fund website . Investigators proposing NIH-defined clinical trials may refer to the Research Methods Resources website for information about developing statistical methods and study designs. 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 How to Apply - Application Guide provide details on these application types. Only those application types listed here are allowed for this NOFO. Optional: Accepting applications that either propose or do not propose clinical trial(s).

Need help determining whether you are doing a clinical trial? Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards The NIH Common Fund expects to spend about $5. 7 million to fund about 10 awards in FY 2027.

The actual number of awards depends on available funding and the number of meritorious applications received. Funding in future years will depend on yearly budgets and satisfactory progress. Application budgets can request up to $350,000 per year in direct costs, plus any allowed indirect costs.

The project can last up to five years. 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 - Includes all types 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, including the NIH Intramural Research Program 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 Requests by NIH intramural scientists will be limited to incremental costs required for participation.

As such, these requests will not include any salary and related fringe benefits for career, career conditional, or other Federal employees (civilian or uniformed service) with permanent appointments under existing position ceilings or any costs related to administrative or facilities support (equivalent to Facilities and Administrative or F&A costs).

Allowable costs may include salary for staff to be specifically hired under a temporary appointment for the project, consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel, and other items typically listed under Other Expenses. Applicants should indicate the number of person-months devoted to the project, even if no funds are requested for salary and fringe benefits.

If selected, funding will be provided by the NIH Common Fund through the NIH Intramural Program. NIH intramural scientists will participate in this program as PD/PIs in accordance with the Terms and Conditions provided in this funding opportunity.

Intellectual property will be managed in accord with established policy of the NIH in compliance with Executive Order 10096, as amended, 45 CFR Part 7; patent rights for inventions developed in NIH facilities are NIH property unless NIH waives its rights. Should an extramural application include collaboration with an intramural scientist, no funds for the support of the intramural scientist may be requested in the application.

The intramural scientist may submit a separate request for intramural funding as described above and in the NIH Intramural Source Book. Foreign Organizations/Foreign Collaborations 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 allowed. NIH will no longer issue awards (i.e., new, renewal, or non-competing continuation) to domestic or foreign entities that involve foreign subawards/subcontracts. All NIH-funded research involving foreign subawards/subcontracts must be submitted in response to a NOFO that is specifically designated for funded international collaborations.

See NIH Grants Policy Statement 16. 8 Collaborative International Research Awards . Applications involving foreign subawards/subcontracts submitted in response to this NOFO will be deemed noncompliant and will not be considered for funding.

This policy applies to all monetary international collaborations resulting in foreign subawards/subcontracts, however, it does not preclude unfunded international collaborations or foreign components , funding for foreign consultants, or procurement of unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors.

Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the How to Apply - 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 Section 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. Foreign organizations must obtain a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (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 registrations; 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 individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support. One PD/PI only: Applications can have only one PD/PI. Multiple PD/PIs are not allowed.

Only the PD/PI may be listed as Senior/Key Personnel and submit a biosketch. Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is not required. If the PD/PI is not a U.S. citizen, the institution must ensure the visa permit allows them to do the proposed research in the U.S. for the full project period.

Degree or clinical training dates: The PD/PI must complete their terminal doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training between May 1, 2025, and September 30, 2027 . The date shown on the official transcript is considered the date the degree was completed. Clinical training includes residency and fellowship .

At the time of award, either: The PD/PI must have an eligible doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. or foreign institution, or An authorized official must confirm all degree requirements are complete and the degree will be awarded before September 30, 2027 . Post-doctoral experience: The PD/PI must not have more than 12 months of postdoctoral training after an earlier, non-terminal doctoral degree.

This applies only to individuals with multiple doctoral degrees. Years 1-2: At least 9. 6 person-months per year (80% effort) on the award project.

Years 3-5: At least 9. 6 person-months per year (80% effort) on independent research overall, including the award project and any other independent research led by the PD/PI. Non-independence required: At the time of application, the PD/PI must still be non-independent .

All the following must apply: Research direction requires mentor approval Research is mainly supported through another investigator's funding (mentored fellowships, such as an NIH F31/F32 or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, do not make an applicant ineligible) No institutionally assigned research space Cannot apply for an NIH R01 without a special institutional waiver or exception The PD/PI may become independent before the award starts and still remain eligible.

Independent position required: The PD/PI must have a guaranteed, pending independent research position and be able to begin independent research by the project start date. The position does not have to be permanent or tenure-track. The position may depend on receiving this award.

The institution must provide substantial support, as described in the application. Moving to a new institution may be advantageous but is not required. Career awards: The PD/PI may apply for both a K award and DP5 simultaneously, but the projects must not overlap scientifically.

A PD/PI cannot hold both simultaneously; if awarded the DP5, the K award must be relinquished. Site visit : NIH will conduct a site visit near the end of the first year to assess progress and confirm institutional support and independence. If support is insufficient, NIH may take corrective action, including reducing or terminating funding.

This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement 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. The 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 . This means that the 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 ). Only two applications per institution (identified by Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number or NIH IPF number) are allowed.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Requesting an Application Package The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants.

gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution. Links to apply using ASSIST or Grants. gov Workspace 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 Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide except where instructed in this notice of funding opportunity to do otherwise (in this NOFO, in a policy notice , or other notice from NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts ).

Conformance to the requirements in the How to Apply - Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review. 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 How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed. Agency Routing Identifier (Field 4b): Enter science area designations.

Choose the science area best fitting your proposal. You may choose a second science area if needed.

2 CTR - Clinical and Translational Research 3 IDI - Infectious Diseases and Immunology 4 IE - Instrumentation and Engineering 5 MCB - Molecular and Cellular Biology 7 HIB - High-Throughput and Integrative Biology 8 BCB - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology If choosing one scientific area, enter the number and abbreviation (e.g., 1 CB).

If choosing two areas, list primary area first, a semicolon, and the secondary area (e.g., 1 CB; 7 NS). These science areas are broad and may overlap; choose the one that best matches your project. Science area(s) is/are used only to help NIH assign reviewers.

It does not affect funding decisions. All applications follow the same instructions, are reviewed at the same time with the same review criteria, and compete for the same funding. Note : Also include the same science area designation(s) at the beginning of the Research Strategy essay.

SF424(R&R) Project/Performance Site Locations All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed. SF424(R&R) Other Project Information All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed. Facilities & Other Resources Upload this file as "FacilitiesandOtherResources".

The institution must show it will provide a strong environment for the PD/PI to succeed as an independent researcher. Address every item below or the application may be withdrawn for noncompliance. Use the headings and numbering below.

There is no page limit, but responses should be clear, concise, and complete. Candidate Selection Process Explain how and why the institution chose the PD/PI. During the award, the PD/PI must be scientifically and administratively independent.

Position title and type : Describe the position including title, and whether permanent, non-permanent, tenure-track, etc. Appointment : State whether position depends on the award. Confirm the PD/PI can begin independent research and be officially appointed by the project start date. Independence and protected time: Explain how scientific independence will be ensured and how 9.

6 person-months (80% effort) per year will be protected for independent research. Institutional home and integration: State where the position is housed and how that structure will support success and integration into the faculty community. Research staff and conflict management: Describe access to staff, hiring, and how problems or conflicts will be handled.

Post-award plans: State whether the institution expects to retain the PD/PI or help them transition elsewhere. Institutional Resources Commitment Describe resources and support the institution will provide. Research environment and institutional support: Describe lab space, physical setup, support staff/systems, and institutional financial support.

Other funding: If the PD/PI has other funding, explain how the Early Independence Award will affect that support. Visa status: If applicable, describe visa status and confirm it covers the full award period in the U.S. Institutional Commitment to Career Development Explain how the institution will help the PD/PI build a successful independent career.

Mentors' names, meeting frequency/format, and evidence of mentoring experience or training If staying at training institution, explain how the PD/PI will remain independent from former mentors Career development and institutional integration Inclusion in scientific and administrative life Access to career development resources Teaching opportunities, if desired Support for developing future independent funding Track record of supporting early-career investigators Access to equipment and core facilities Tenure process and outcomes Progress review practices Only attach Foreign Justification, if applicable.

SF424(R&R) Senior/Key Person Profile All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed. Only the PD/PI canbe listed as a Senior/Key person and submit a Biographical Sketch. All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed. PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed. All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions: Specific Aims page must include the following headings and information: Describe your research topic and approach.

State your main hypothesis, if applicable. Describe the impact if successful. Highlight the project's innovation.

Explain how your institution's support, including support for your independence, will help you meet your research goals. Early Independence Rationale Explain how your scientific background, research achievements, leadership or mentoring qualities, and scientific vision will help you carry out the project successfully.

Project Science Area: List the 1-digit code and abbreviation for the primary (and optional secondary) science area for your project. Use the format described in Agency Routing Identifier instructions above. Research Strategy Essay : Use the numbered headings below and answer each set of questions.

Reasoning to skip or shorten postdoctoral training Explain why a shorter or skipped postdoc would benefit your long-term career. Explain why you want to begin an independent research career earlier than usual. Evidence that you are not yet independent Explain how you meet the eligibility rules showing you are not research independent.

Describe any plans already in place to begin independent research before the award starts. Personal and career development plan Describe your main strengths and weaknesses for starting an independent research career. Explain how you will use the award period to build on strengths and address weaknesses.

Explain how this award would speed your path to independence. Describe your career plan if you do not receive the award. Evidence of leadership and training ability Describe experiences that prepared you to lead a lab, manage staff, and mentor students or post-docs.

You may refer to your Biosketch, but do not duplicate information. Host institution interactions Explain what arrangements you have for support and feedback while maintaining intellectual independence. Explain how you will become an active member of the institution's scientific community.

Describe the scientific problem you will address. Summarize the project's foundation, including strengths and weaknesses of current thinking in the field. Explain why the problem matters and what impact your research could have.

Explain why this is the right challenge to launch your independent career. Describe your research plans and methods. Show you have considered key risks, pitfalls, and alternatives.

Address relevant biological variables, such as sex, if your work involves vertebrate animals or human subjects. Describe any collaborations. Preliminary data are optional, not required.

Any preliminary data will be evaluated by reviewers. Describe the project's most innovative features. Relationship to previous work Explain how the project relates to your past work.

Explain how you will carry out the work independently of former mentors. Confirm you will be ready to begin independent research by the project start date. Provide a timeline for setting up your lab, meeting career development goals, and completing the research.

Confirm effort commitments. Collaborators and consultants should submit letters describing their role and commitment to the project. The institution must also submit a support letter confirming it will provide resources and support described in the application and that the PD/PI will hold an independent research position by September 30, 2027 .

The letter must be signed by officials responsible for creating and overseeing the position, such as the department head and institutional business official. Resource Sharing Plan : Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide .

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions: A Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMS Plan) is required for any NIH-funded or conducted research that will generate scientific data. Applicants must submit the DMS Plan at the time of application using the NIH DMS Plan Format Page . The DMS Plan must address the elements in the structured format.

Where the DMS Plan Format Page requires a "Yes or No" response, no additional narrative is allowed. Appendix: Only limited Appendix materials are allowed. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the How to Apply - Application Guide .

No publications or other material, with the exception of blank questionnaires or blank surveys, may be included in the Appendix.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information When involving human subjects research, clinical research, and/or NIH-defined clinical trials (and when applicable, clinical trials research experience) follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the How to Apply - 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 How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

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 How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed. PHS Assignment Request Form All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

Since all applications are received as "Office of the Director" applications and are reviewed by a single Special Emphasis Panel, applicants should not request assignment to a particular Institute/Center or review panel. Names and affiliations of significant collaborators should be listed as individuals who should not review the application to help exclude conflicts during reviewer assignment. 3.

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) See Part 2. 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. 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 might be necessary for successful submission. When a submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday , the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day. Organizations must submit applications to Grants.

gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies). Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons , NIH's electronic system for grants administration. NIH and Grants.

gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission. Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants. gov on or before the application due date and time.

If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late. Applications that miss the due date and time are subjected to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2. 3.

9. 2 Electronically Submitted Applications . Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the How to Apply – Application Guide . 5. Intergovernmental Review (E.

O. 12372) This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review. All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement .

Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 7. 9. 1 Selected Items of Cost .

7. Other Submission Requirements and Information Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the How to Apply - Application Guide . Paper applications will not be accepted.

Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.

For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit How to Apply – Application Guide . If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the Dealing with System Issues guidance. For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII.

All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile form . Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH. See Section III of this NOFO for information on registration requirements.

The applicant organization must ensure that the unique entity identifier provided on the application is the same identifier used in the organization's profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management. Additional information may be found in the How to Apply - Application Guide . See more tips for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions by the Center for Scientific Review and responsiveness by components of participating organizations, NIH. Applications that are incomplete, non-compliant and/or nonresponsive will not be reviewed. Letters of reference are required.

The PD/PI must arrange for 3 to 5 letters. Late letters are not accepted. If fewer than 3 are submitted, the application is incomplete and will not be reviewed.

The PD/PI must check eRA Commons to make sure at least 3 letters are received on time. Letters are confidential and cannot be viewed by the PD/PI. The PD/PI should not upload them on behalf of referees.

Both the PD/PI and referee will receive email confirmation when a letter is submitted. Letters may be submitted between August 10 and September 10, 2026, by 5:00 PM local time. Submit letters electronically only at https://public.

era. nih. gov/commonsplus/public/reference/submitReferenceLetter.

era . Referees do not need a Commons account to submit. Put the PD/PI's name at the top of the letter.

A signature is not required, but the letter must include a signature block with the referee's full name, title, institution, and contact information. In