Big News on NIH Application Submission Policy
For the past few years, you could resubmit just one time if your initial application didn't succeed.
Now you can send a new (A0) application without NIH requiring you to make substantial changes to the scientific direction or scope. This means after an unsuccessful application, you can send a new application in the same scientific vein.
A new (A0) application always gets a new serial number, and there is no formal link between it and any prior application.
You can follow a resubmission (A1) application only with an A0 application.
If you are submitting a new application after an unsuccessful competing renewal (Type 2) application, the next application must be new (Type 1 A0).
Apply on the new application due date, not the renewal date.
For the official announcement, including reasons for the change, see the April 17, 2014, Guide notice. Also see the updated FAQ on Resubmissions of NIH Applications.
The New Policy Is Already In Effect
You can take advantage of this for your next due date since the policy kicked in for due dates after April 16. The first standard due date affected is May 7, 2014, for AIDS and AIDS-related applications.
You must wait for your summary statement from the previous application's review before sending a new application or else NIH might consider it an overlapping application with the previous one. An application is considered under review until the summary statement is released (that rule is still in effect). Also, you can't send an overlapping application while a prior similar one is under appeal. Learn more at Evaluation of Overlapping Applications.
Now that you aren’t obligated to make substantial changes in scientific direction or scope after an unsuccessful application, you'll have to decide whether that's the right move. See our advice below and discuss with your program officer.
Our Advice
We're still working on site updates to reflect this breaking news. Meanwhile, our advice probably sounds familiar: always strive to enhance your next application.
For all applications:
Strengthen your next submission of the application using reviewers’ feedback in the summary statement, from your program officer, and from your mentoring colleagues
Add the latest preliminary data and new publications.
Ensure your application reflects the most current science.
Consider which study section and institute or center assignments you want for this application and make that request in your cover letter.
Use the latest funding opportunity announcement (FOA) and forms associated with your planned receipt date.
For an A0 application in the same vein as a prior application, also do the following:
Take a hard look at whether another attempt using the same idea is likely to result in funding.
Even if you submit your previously reviewed application as new (an A0), it may go to the same study section and reviewers are likely to remember it from before. You won't have the benefit of an introduction to address the prior comments. Therefore, make sure you have taken reviewers' suggestions into consideration when writing your application.
We don't anticipate substantial improvement in paylines, so don't count on that.
Consider adjusting or completely overhauling your proposal as needed.
Follow the FOA's procedures for new applications.
Don't respond directly to comments from prior reviews. Just use them to improve the application.
Omit the introduction.
For type 2, also omit the progress report.
Get prior approvals again as required. For examples, see the Big Grants SOP and Conference Awards SOP.
Confirm you still meet any eligibility criteria (career stage or other qualifiers.)
One last note: if you plan to send multiple applications on non-overlapping topics, consider staggering your timing so they don't both end up in the same study section for the same round of initial peer review. Otherwise, you're competing with yourself.
As we update our site, we'll list the changes on Latest Funding Updates. We'll also share any new advice for you in follow-up articles.
If you have any questions or feedback about how this new policy affects you, email us at deaweb@niaid.nih.gov .
