Seven opportunities for funding in the H3Africa initiative are due for release in July – August 2016. African collaborators are encouraged to review regulatory requirements for their organizations now so they are prepared to submit applications later this year.
What can you be doing NOW?
– Complete your institutional and personal registrations. In order to apply for any NIH grant, you must make sure that you have completed the required registrations. These registrations must be completed in order to submit an application, and they take months to complete – Do not leave them until the last minute!
o Institutional Pre-registration (see also the attached one-page summary). This can take 8 weeks or more.
– Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) – All registrations require that applicants be issued a DUNS number. After obtaining a DUNS number, applicants can begin both SAM and eRA Commons registrations. The same DUNS number must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application. More information and links can be found here: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/prepare-to-apply-and-register/registration/org-representative-registration/dun-bradstreet-registration.htm
– NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code – Non-U.S. organizations must obtain an NCAGE code (instead of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM. More information on both SAM and NCAGE as well as relevant links can be found here: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/prepare-to-apply-and-register/registration/org-representative-registration/sam-org-registration.htm
– System for Award Management (SAM) (formerly CCR) – 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. Register here: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/prepare-to-apply-and-register/registration/org-representative-registration/sam-org-registration.htm
– eRA Commons – This is the NIH electronic Research Administration system that allows applicants/grantees to electronically receive and transmit application and award information. 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. Applicants must have an active DUNS number and SAM registration in order to complete the eRA Commons registration. Organizations can register with the eRA Commons as they are working through their SAM or Grants.gov registration. Allow 2–4 weeks to complete organization registration in the eRA Commons. Register here: https://commons.era.nih.gov/commons/registration/registrationInstructions.jsp
– Grants.gov – This is the U.S. Federal government’s single online portal to find and apply for Federal funding. Applicants must have an active DUNS number and SAM registration in order to complete the Grants.gov registration. Institutions and the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) should register on Grants.gov. Grants.gov registration can take up to 8 weeks for international organizations. Register here: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/ElectronicReceipt/preparing_grantsgov_reg.htm
– Take a look at the information and resources at h3africa.org. Not only are there summaries of the Consortium’s aims and current projects and activities, but there are also resources on applying to NIH and Wellcome Trust grants, training opportunities, notices of funding opportunities, FAQs, and more!
– Identify potential collaborators and start drafting ideas. The applications are scheduled to be due in November 2016 – give yourself plenty of time to put together a well-crafted application and don’t wait.
– Contact the NIH staff. Let us know that you are interested or planning to apply. We are here to help! Do not hesitate to reach out to the identified NIH contact for whatever RFA(s) you intend to apply for at any point in the application process about project ideas, questions, or concerns.
o For the general H3Africa questions and for the Research Grants and Collaborative Centers FOAs, contact Dr. Jennifer Troyer, troyerj@mail.nih.gov
o For the Ethical, Legal, and Societal Issues (ELSI) Research Program or ELSI Collaborative Centers FOAs, contact Dr. Ebony Madden,ebony.madden@nih.gov
o For the Global Health Bioinformatics Research Training FOA, contact Dr. Barbara Sina, sinab@mail.nih.gov
o For the Informatics Network FOA, contact Dr. Ken Wiley, Jr., ken.wiley@nih.gov
o For the Administrative Coordinating Center FOA, contact Dr. Jennifer Troyer, troyerj@mail.nih.gov