APPLICANTPROGRAM INTERACTIONS AFTER REVIEW

1
APPLICANT-PROGRAM INTERACTIONS AFTER REVIEW

• Peter C. Preusch
• National Institute of General Medical Sciences

2
Post-Review Events at NIH

• Score entered in computer/mailed to PI.
• Summary Statement prepared by SRA.
• Summary Statement mailed to PI.
• Summary Statement Reviewed by Program Staff and
  by Advisory Council.
• Funding decisions, budget negotiations, and
  awards made by NIH staff.

3
What's my score?

• Scores are entered into the NIH computer a few
  days after the review meeting and mailed to the
  PI.
• Don't call the day of the meeting, your PA won't
  know the answer.
• Do call, if you don't have your score in a week
  or so. Be sure we have your correct mailing
  address.

4
What's my score mean?

• Okay - now we have something to talk about.
• NIH score system - 100 - 500, NC, NRFC.
• Approximate paylines and zones of discretion.
  Clearly-in, clearly-out, and cautiously
  optimistic.
• NC NRFC proposals are not necessarily bad
  ideas, just bad proposals.

5
Where's my summary statement?

• Summary statements due 4-6 weeks after the study
  section meeting and 1 month before Council. Be
  patient, don't worry.
• NC NRFC mailed directly by CSR.
• Scored summaries mailed by the Institute.
• If you didn't get it, do we have your correct
  address?

6
What did the reviewers say?

• Summary statement is the official record of the
  review. It is prepared by the SRA.
• Program directors may attend the review and may
  have additional comments.
• Program directors may help you read between the
  lines.
• Program directors can help you think about your
  response to the critique.

7
What about an Appeal?

• Program Staff is your primary contact after the
  review and is responsible for handling any
  appeal.
• Phone first, E-mail second, send a formal appeal
  letter third. Short is good.
• Program staff will explain the process and help
  you decide whether you have a case and how to
  make it. Program staff represents you at Council.

8
Revise and Resubmit?

• If at first you don't succeed...
• try, try again.
• If after three times you don't succeed...
• do some serious rethinking.
• Are the problems fixable?
• By improved presentation or arguement?
• By additional preliminary data?
• By changes in personnel or environment?

9
When will my grant be funded?

• When ALL the necessary data is reviewed.
• Recommended by IRG
• Recommended by Council
• Recommended by Program Director
• Approved by Director
• Recommended by Grants Management
• Approved by Grants Management Officer
• When you are ready?

10
How much will I get?

• Requested Budget
• IRG Recommended Budget (Advisory)
• Council Recommended Budget (Advisory)
• Staff Recommended Budget
• Program and Grants Management Staff A
  revised budget may be requested.
• Allowable, allocatable, and scientifically
  justified for the proposed work.

11
Progress Reports Phase II , Phase III?

• Phase I - No Progress Report Required.
• You may still want to call your Program Director
  before submitting your Phase II.
• Fast-track - Program Director reviews Phase I
  progress, recommends Phase II.
• Discuss Phase II aims and budget in advance to
  avoid problems later.
• Phase II - Progress Report Required.
• Phase III - Keep in touch.