Purpose
NINDS Research Continuity and Retention Administrative Supplements are intended to help provide additional funds up to $50,000 in direct costs as a one-time supplement to ensure continued research progress for first-time recipients of NINDS Research Project Grant awards whose research program is impacted by a critical life event.
Program Announcement
Additional Information
This additional information describes NINDS requirements and is not intended to replace the application information found in NOT-OD-23-032 or the Administrative Supplement program announcement. At least 2 weeks prior to submission of an application, the Principal Investigator (Applicant) should contact their current NINDS Program Director (found on the Notice of Award) or send an email to NINDS_RSupp_CLE@nih.gov to discuss the proposed supplement.
On this page, find additional information on:
- Eligibility
- Application and Submission Information
- Allowable Costs and Other Provisions
- Review and Award of Applications
Eligibility
PD(s)/PI(s) are encouraged to consider a one-time continuity supplement if a critical life event is expected to impact research progress on their first independent Research Project Grant award AND there is a clear plan for how the addition of supplemental funds up to $50,000 in direct costs for up to one year will be used to mitigate delays and/or interruptions in research progress. There must be a plan to return to full research productivity at the end of the supplement period.
To be eligible, PD/PIs must hold only one active NINDS Research Project Grant award that will remain active during the period proposed for use of the supplement. NINDS eligible activity codes include DP1, DP2, DP5, R01, R00, R15, R16, R21, R34, RF1, and U01. PD/PIs currently holding more than one independent NIH Research Project Grant award are ineligible for this supplement. Projects in no-cost extension period are not eligible to apply.
For the purposes of this program, childbirth, adoption, serious personal health issues or illness and/or debilitating conditions, high-risk pregnancy, primary caregiving responsibilities of an ailing spouse, child, partner, parent, or a member of the immediate family during the project period are critical life events that would qualify for consideration. Detailed personal health information such as specific diagnoses or medical conditions is not required or necessary to be considered for this supplement.
To be eligible, the precipitating CLE must occur during the active RPG award or up to 12 weeks prior to the start date of the award. In circumstances in which the critical life event is pending and is expected to occur during the project period, the supplement request may be submitted in advance of the event. Requests related to critical life events that occurred 12 or more weeks prior to the start date on the original Notice of Award, or which occurred more than 1 year prior to the time of this supplement request are not suitable for this program. In addition, this supplement is not intended to be used to extend the length of the award period.
As described in NOT-OD-23-032, this supplement program is intended for first-time recipients of an Independent Research Project Grant. With the goal of assisting junior investigators to successfully compete for their first renewal, NINDS will consider PD/PIs who currently hold their first NIH R01 equivalent award who have completed one previous smaller research project grant award (e.g. R00, R03, R15, R21, R24 or R56). Only in rare cases will an investigator be awarded more than one Continuity Administrative Supplement during a career. For additional information about eligibility, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NINDS staff at NINDS_RSupp_CLE@nih.gov prior to applying.
PD(s)/PI(s) should work closely with their Department Chair or Institution to ensure that appropriate Institutional commitment is obtained in the form of resources. NINDS supplement support should be considered a value-added component to the institutional environment.
Application and Submission Information
Supplement requests must be submitted in accordance with the parent program announcement: Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional) PA-20-272 or its subsequent reissued equivalent.
Supplement requests should be submitted electronically. The process for Streamlined Submissions using the eRA Commons cannot be used for this initiative.
Application Due Date(s)
NINDS will accept applications on a rolling basis. At least two weeks prior to submission, please contact the current Program Director and email NINDS_RSupp_CLE@nih.gov to discuss the potential need.
If you are seeking an award before the end of a fiscal year—September 30—we must receive your request no later than July 1. Requests received after July 1 will be considered for funding in the next fiscal year.
Application Content
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, PA-20-272, and NOT-OD-23-032 must be followed. Applicants must include “NOT-OD-23-032” (without quotations) in box 4b of the SF424 R&R form.
The following items are required in the electronically submitted application package for NINDS review:
- Face Page or R&R Cover Form
- Budget page from PHS 398 for a maximum of 12 months
- Research Strategy to Include:
- Progress to date. Describe the original aims of the research project grant and results to date, including roles of personnel working on the project.
- Statement of need. Briefly describe how progress on the award will be, or has been, impacted by a critical life event and how an administrative supplement will mitigate the impact. Describe the ongoing or pending work to be managed during the period of the supplement award.
- Budget justification. Provide a brief description of how the supplement funds will be used to offset the impact to the research program as a result of the critical life event.
- Available Other Support. Describe any additional funds available to ensure sustained research. Describe availability of carryover funds from previous years and any local assistance, including matching funds or specified ‘in kind’ support. Applicants are reminded that awards are made to the Institution rather than the PI and are encouraged to discuss financial needs with their Department, College or Institutional leadership.
- R&R Other Project Information form, in the "Other Attachments" field:
- Personal Statement as described in NOT-OD-23-032. In addition, explain how the requested supplement, together with other available resources, will be used to ensure continuity of the project. Provide details on how the plan will proceed. If funds are requested for additional personnel, describe the projected timeline for hiring as it relates to the critical need; what skills would be needed and how will an individual with these skills be hired and contribute for the limited period of time supported by the additional funding? If funds are requested for additional equipment, software, computational or research services, describe the timeline for procurement and setup with respect to the critical need.
- Institutional Commitment to Candidate’s Research Career. Include, in addition to those items listed in NOT-OD-23-032, a Department Chair or Institutional statement on how the institution intends to help the applicant continue to maintain progress in their research during the period impacted by the critical life event. Note that NINDS supplement support should be considered a value-added component to the institutional environment.
- Applications should include a letter signed by the Institutional Business Official certifying PI’s eligibility for the supplement award.
Allowable Costs and Other Provisions
The supplement may be used to support additional personnel, computational or research services, or other specified assistance that will promote the continuity of the research project during a period in which the PD/PI experiences critical life events which have the potential to impact research progress or potential productivity. Supplement funds may not be used for PI salary support during the regular or extended period of the grant. Administrative supplements must support work within the scope of the original project and provide support during the period of the critical life event. An itemized budget justification must be provided.
Projects in no-cost extension period are not eligible to apply.
Review and Award of Applications
A committee of NINDS program and grants management staff will review requests submitted to NINDS. NINDS will support the most meritorious requests, based upon availability of funds.