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<script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-T2DH393N');</script>  <HTML lang="en-US">  <HEAD> <TITLE>NOT-OD-24-084: Overview of Grant Application and Review Changes for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025</TITLE> <META NAME="description" CONTENT="NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Overview of Grant Application and Review Changes for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025 NOT-OD-24-084. NIH"> <META NAME="Keywords" CONTENT="NOT-OD-24-084: Overview of Grant Application and Review Changes for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <link href="../guide_styles/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet" media="screen"> <link href="../guide_styles/css/style.css" rel="stylesheet" media="screen"> <link href="../guide_styles/css/FOAM_Style.css" rel="stylesheet"> </HEAD> <BODY> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-xs-12"> <body onload="initContent()"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div id="page-title" class="heading1" tabindex="0"></div> <div> <div data-element-id="156984" data-element-has-label="false" data-element-required="true" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="LINKED_ELEMENT"> <span class="title">Overview of Grant Application and Review Changes for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025</span> </div> <div class="heading4" tabindex="0" data-element-id="156985" data-element-required="true" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="LINKED_ELEMENT"> Notice Number: </div> <div data-element-id="156985" data-element-has-label="true" data-element-required="true" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="LINKED_ELEMENT"> <span class="noticenum">NOT-OD-24-084</span> </div> <div data-element-id="156986" data-element-has-label="false" data-element-required="true" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="TEXT"> <h2 class="heading2">Key Dates</h2> </div> <div class="row" data-index="4"> <div class="col-md-4 datalabel" tabindex="0" data-element-id="156987" data-element-required="false" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="TEXT"> Release Date: </div> <div class=" col-md-8 datacolumn"> <p>April 4, 2024</p> </div> </div>  <div data-element-id="156988" data-element-has-label="false" data-element-required="true" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="TEXT"> <h2 class="heading2">Related Announcements</h2> </div> <div data-element-id="156989" data-element-has-label="false" data-element-required="true" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="TEXT"> <ul> <li><strong>November 21, 2024</strong> - Reminder that Multiple Changes Affecting Extramural Applications and Review are Coming for Application Due Dates on or After January 25, 2025. See Notice <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-035.html">NOT-OD-25-035</a>.</li> <li><strong>November 18, 2024 </strong>- Reminder: FORMS-I Grant Application Forms and Instructions Must be Used for Due Dates On or After January 25, 2025. See Notice <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-026.html" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" heap-ignore="true">NOT-OD-25-026</a></li> <li><strong>November 4, 2024</strong> - Notice of Correction to the Eligible Organizations Section of ORIP's PAR-24-265: Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). See Notice <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-019.html">NOT-OD-25-019</a></li> <li><strong>July 31, 2024</strong> - NIH’s Adoption of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support by May 25, 2025. See Notice <a href="//grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-163.html">NOT-OD-24-163</a></li> <li><strong>May 31, 2024</strong> -Updates to NIH Institutional Training Grant Applications for Due Dates on or After January 25, 2025. See Notice <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-129.html">NOT-OD-24-129</a></li> <li><strong>April 18, 2024</strong> - Implementation of Revisions to the NIH and AHRQ Fellowship Application and Review Process. See Notice <a href="//grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-107.html">NOT-OD-24-107</a></li> <li><strong>April 4, 2024</strong> - New NIH "FORMS-I" Grant Application Forms and Instructions Coming for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025. See <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-086.html">NOT-OD-24-086</a>.</li><li><strong>April 4, 2024</strong> - Simplified Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant Applications - Update and Implementation Plans. See Notice <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-085.html">NOT-OD-24-085</a>. </li><li><strong>October 19, 2023</strong> - Online Briefing on NIHs Simplified Peer Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) Applications: for Applicants and Reviewers. See Notice <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-012.html"><u>NOT-OD-24-012</u></a> </li><li><strong>October 19, 2023</strong> - Simplified Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant Applications. See Notice <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-010.html"><u>NOT-OD-24-010</u></a>.  </li><li><strong>April 24, 2023 </strong>- Request for Information (RFI) on Recommendations for Improving NRSA Fellowship Review. See Notice <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-23-110.html"><u>NOT-OD-23-110</u></a></li><li><strong>December 8, 2022</strong> - Request for Information (RFI) on Proposed Simplified Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant Applications. See Notice <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-23-034.html"><u>NOT-OD-23-034</u></a> </li></ul> </div> <div data-element-id="156990" data-element-has-label="false" data-element-required="true" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="TEXT"> <h2 class="heading2">Issued by</h2> </div> <div data-element-id="156991" data-element-has-label="false" data-element-required="true" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="LINKED_ELEMENT"> <p>NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">NIH</a>) </div> <div data-element-id="156993" data-element-has-label="false" data-element-required="true" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="TEXT"> <h2 class="heading2">Purpose</h2> </div> <div data-element-id="156994" data-element-has-label="false" data-element-required="true" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="TEXT"> <p>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:</p><ul><li>Simplified Review Framework for Most Research Project Grant Applications</li><li>Revisions to the NIH Fellowship Application and Review Process </li><li>Updates to Reference Letter Guidance</li><li>Updates to NRSA Training Grant Applications</li><li>Updated Application Forms (FORMS-I)</li><li>Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support</li></ul><p>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.</p><p>NIH will release additional details and guidance on these initiatives throughout 2024 which will be cross-referenced in this notice as well. <br> </p><h4>Overview of Changes</h4><p><strong>Simplified Review Framework for Most Research Project Grant Applications</strong></p><p><i>Whats Changing</i></p><p style="margin-left:25px;">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.</p><p><i>Goals</i></p><ol><li>Enable peer reviewers to better focus on answering the key questions necessary to assess the scientific and technical merit of proposed research projects:<ul><li>Should the proposed research project be conducted?</li><li>Can the proposed research project be conducted?</li></ul></li><li>Mitigate the effect of reputational bias, refocusing the evaluation of investigator/environment to within the context of the proposed research.</li><li>Reduce reviewer burden, shifting policy compliance activities to NIH staff. </li></ol><p><i>Scope</i></p><p style="margin-left:25px;">Peer review of most research project applications (see <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/policy/peer/simplifying-review/framework.htm">affected activity codes</a>) submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2025.</p><p><i>Learn More</i> </p><ul><li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/policy/peer/simplifying-review.htm">Simplifying Review of Research Project Grant Applications</a> web page</li><li>April 17, 2024 <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/learning-center/srf-updates-to-funding-opportunities">Online Briefing on NIH's Simplified Peer Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) Applications and Impact to New and Existing Funding Opportunities</a> event page (recording available)</li><li>Nov. 3, 2023 <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/learning-center/simplified-peer-review-framework">Online Briefing on NIH's Simplified Peer Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) Applications: for Applicants and Reviewers</a> event page  </li><li>Guide Notices<ul><li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-085.html">NOT-OD-24-085</a>: Simplified Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant Applications - Update and Implementation Plans</li><li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-010.html">NOT-OD-24-010</a>: Simplified Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant Applications</li><li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-23-034.html">NOT-OD-23-034</a>: Request for Information (RFI) on Proposed Simplified Review Framework for NIH Research Project Grant Applications<br> </li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Revisions to the NIH Fellowship Application and Review Process</strong></p><p><i>Whats Changing</i></p><p style="margin-left:25px;">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.</p><p><i>Goals</i></p><ul><li>Better focus reviewer attention on three key assessments: the fellowship candidates preparedness and potential, research training plan, and commitment to the candidate.  </li><li>Ensure a broad range of candidates and research training contexts can be recognized as meritorious by clarifying and simplifying the language in the application and review criteria.</li><li>Reduce bias in review by emphasizing the commitment to the candidate without undue consideration of sponsor and institutional reputation.</li></ul><p><i>Scope</i></p><p style="margin-left:25px;">All fellowship applications submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2025.</p><p><i>Learn More</i></p><ul><li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/policy/peer/revisions-nih-fellowship-application-review-process.htm">Revisions to the NIH Fellowship Application and Review Process</a> web page </li><li>September 19, 2024 <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/learning-center/fellowship-application-review-process-revisions-webinar">Revisions to the Fellowship Application and Review Process webinar event page</a></li><li>Guide Notices<ul><li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-107.html">NOT-OD-24-107</a>: Implementation of Revisions to the NIH and AHRQ Fellowship Application and Review Process</li><li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-23-110.html">NOT-OD-23-110</a>: Request for Information (RFI) on Recommendations for Improving NRSA Fellowship Review  <br> </li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Updates to Reference Letter Instructions for Referees</strong></p><p><i>Whats Changing</i></p><p style="margin-left:25px;">Instruction changes only. Reference letter submission process will remain the same.  </p><p><i>Goal</i></p><p style="margin-left:25px;">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.</p><p><i>Scope</i></p><ul><li>All reference letters associated with applications for due dates on or after January 25, 2025 </li><li>Activity codes requiring reference letters: Fellowships (Fs), mentored Career Development (K01, K08, K18, K22, K23, K25, K43, K76, K99/R00), DP5</li></ul><p><i>Learn More</i> </p><ul><li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/submission-process/reference-letters.htm">Reference Letters</a> web page (new instructions will be posted by fall 2024 for use for due dates on and after January 25, 2025)</li></ul><p><strong>Updates to NRSA Training Grant Applications  </strong></p><p><i>Whats Changing</i></p><p style="margin-left:25px;">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.  </p><p><i>Goals</i></p><ul><li>Update the NRSA Data Tables to reduce applicant and reviewer burden.</li><li>Include training in the Responsible Conduct of Research and Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity as items that contribute to the overall impact score.  </li><li>Enhance research training programs by further defining expectations for mentor training and clarifying positive outcomes related to preparing trainees for the breadth of research and related careers relevant to the NIH mission.</li></ul><p><i>Scope</i></p><p style="margin-left:25px;">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.</p><p><i>Learn More</i></p><ul><li>June 5, 2024 <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/learning-center/nih-training-grant-application-updates-webinar">Updates to NIH Training Grant Applications</a> webinar event page</li> <li>Guide Notices <ul> <li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-129.html" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" heap-ignore="true">NOT-OD-24-129</a>: Updates to NIH Institutional Training Grant Applications for Due Dates on or After January 25, 2025</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Updated Application Forms (FORMS-I)</strong></p><p><i>Whats Changing</i></p><p style="margin-left:25px;">Updated application forms are needed to support many of the changes identified in this notice.  </p><p><i>Goals</i></p><ul><li>Provide the needed form fields to efficiently implement policy updates.</li><li>Align form instructions and field labels with current terminology (e.g., grantee to recipient).</li></ul><p><i>Scope</i></p><p style="margin-left:25px;">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).  </p><p><i>Learn More</i></p><ul><li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/electronicreceipt/files/high-level-form-change-summary-FORMS-I.pdf">High Level Summary of FORMS-I Changes</a></li><li>Guide Notices<ul><li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-086.html">NOT-OD-24-086</a>: New NIH "FORMS-I" Grant Application Forms and Instructions Coming for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support</strong></p><p><i>Whats Changing</i></p><p style="margin-left:25px;">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 <a href="https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-memorandum-united-states-government-supported-research-development-national-security-policy/">National Security Presidential Memorandum - 33</a>.</p><p><i>Goals</i></p><ul><li>Greater standardization across federal agencies.</li><li>Provide clarity regarding disclosure requirements (e.g., who discloses what, relevant limitations and exclusions), disclosure process (e.g., updates, corrections, certification, and provision of supporting documentation), and expected degree of cross-agency uniformity (excerpt from <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/010422-NSPM-33-Implementation-Guidance.pdf">Guidance for Implementing National Security Presidential Memorandum 33</a>).</li></ul><p><i>Scope</i></p><p style="margin-left:25px;">All applications and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) submitted to NIH. Additional details forthcoming.  </p><p>Learn More</p><ul><li> Guide Notice<ul> <li> <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-163.html" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" heap-ignore="true">NOT-OD-24-163</a>: NIH’s Adoption of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support by May 25, 2025</li> </ul> <li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm">Biosketch Format Pages, Instructions, and Samples</a> (web page will be updated as plans evolve).</li><li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/othersupport.htm">Other Support</a> (web page will be updated as plans evolve).</li></ul><h4>Resources</h4><ul><li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/policy/changes-coming-jan-2025">Changes Coming to NIH Applications and Peer Review in 2025</a>  web page</li><li><a href=" https://youtu.be/_MMTaLKnOB8">Video Overview </a>of Grant Application and Review Changes for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025 </li></ul><h4>Webinars</h4><p> 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. </p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td style="border-left: 1px solid #000;"><strong>Webinar Topic</strong></td><td><strong>Date/Time frame</strong></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/learning-center/srf-updates-to-funding-opportunities">NIH Simplified Review Framework for Research Project Grants (RPGs): Implementation and Impact on Funding Opportunities</a> </td><td>April 17, 2024</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/learning-center/nih-training-grant-application-updates-webinar">Updates to NIH Training Grant Applications</a></td><td>June 5, 2024</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/learning-center/fellowship-application-review-process-revisions-webinar">Revisions to the Fellowship Application and Review Process</a></td><td>September 19, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support </td><td>Planned, but not yet scheduled</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> </div> <div data-element-id="156995" data-element-has-label="false" data-element-required="true" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="TEXT"> <h2 class="heading2">Inquiries</h2> <p>Please direct all inquiries to:</p> </div> <div data-element-id="156996" data-element-has-label="false" data-element-required="false" data-element-has-value="true" data-section-code="OI" data-element-type="TEXT"> <p>NIH Office of Extramural Research</p><p><a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d3bcb6a193bcb7fdbdbabbfdb4bca5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4708021507282369292e2f69202831">[email protected]</span></a></p> </div> </div> </div>  </div> <script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-xs-12"> <P> <HR> <A HREF="/grants/guide/WeeklyIndex.cfm?04-05-24">Weekly TOC for this Announcement</A><br> <A HREF="/grants/guide/index.html">NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices</A> <hr> </div> </div> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="print" href="css/notices_print.css " /> <div class="row"> <div class="footer"> <div class="col-sm-4"> <a href="/grants/oer.htm"><img src="/images7/nih-oer-logo.jpg" alt="NIH Office of Extramural Research Logo" usemap="#Map2" border="0"></a> <map name="Map2" id="Map2"> <area shape="rect" coords="89,17,359,39" href="http://www.nih.gov" /> <area shape="rect" coords="91,39,286,58" href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm" /> <area shape="rect" coords="3,5,78,55" href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm" /> </map> </div> <div class="col-sm-4"> <div style="float:left; padding: 5 5 5 70"> <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/"><img src="/images7/dhhs_sm.gif" width="36" height="37" border="0" alt="Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - Home Page" long desc="Logo, circular in shape, depicting an American eagle in-flight with stylized profiles of human faces appearing on the trailing edge of the wings. 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