NIH Proposal Policies

What it is:

Continuous Submission is a policy that allows eligible investigators to submit certain NIH research grant applications on a rolling basis rather than on standard due dates.

Key points:

• Eligibility is limited, often to NIH study section members or Advisory Council members.
• Applies only to certain activity codes (R01, R21, R34).
• Does not change what you need to include in your proposal or how it will be reviewed.

Why it matters for you:

• If you’re eligible, Continuous Submission can reduce delays between deciding to submit and the actual submission.
• Be aware of eligibility and deadlines to plan your submission schedule effectively.

Review the updated policy carefully.

NOT-OD-20-060  - Update of NIH Continuous Submission Policy: Change in Submission Deadlines and End of Recent Substantial Service Option

NIH Continuous Submission information and instructions 

What it is:

This NIH policy defines required content in your application to ensure scientific rigor and reproducibility.

Key points to address in your proposal:

• Prior research: How the foundational work you cite is rigorous and valid.
• Proposed study design: Scientific rigor in methodology, controls, and analysis.
• Relevant biological variables: Consideration of sex as a biological variable and other critical variables.
• Key resources: Authentication of materials, cell lines, and reagents where applicable.

Where this appears in your proposal:

• search Strategy and related sections.
• Reviewers explicitly evaluate your compliance with this policy.

Why it matters for you:

• Rigor and Transparency is a compliance requirement. Failing to address these elements can affect reviewer scores.
• While it is not “writing advice,” understanding what is expected will guide how you structure certain sections.

Resources

• NIH Extramural Nexus posts:
  • Your One-Page Guide to Rigor and Reproducibility 
  • Updates on Addressing Rigor in Your NIH Applications 
  • Consideration of Relevant Biological Variables in NIH Grant Applications 
  • Scientific Rigor in NIH Grant Applications 
  • Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources in NIH Grant Applications 
  • What Kind of Information Should I Include in My Application’s Resource Authentication Plan? 
• NIH Training Module on Rigor and Transparency 
• Rigor and Reproducibility 
• Rigor and Reproducibility in Grant Applications 
• NIH FAQs on Reproducibility 

• Purpose: Explains which faculty are eligible for rolling submission.
• Impact: Affects submission timing and internal routing for approvals, but does not alter required content.
• Administrative actions: Confirm eligibility, ensure correct activity code, track submission windows.

• Purpose: Defines required elements in NIH proposals that affect reviewer evaluation.
• Impact: Although not a “writing tip,” these elements must be checked before SPA approval.
• Administrative actions: Ensure proposals include all required Rigor and Transparency elements in the Research Strategy and other applicable sections.

Resources

• NIH NOT-OD-16-011   - Implementing Rigor and Transparency in NIH & AHRQ Research Grant Applications
• NIH NOT-OD-16-012   - Implementing Rigor and Transparency in NIH & AHRQ Career Development Award Applications
• NIH NOT-OD-16-034   - Advanced Notice of Coming Requirements for Formal Instruction in Rigorous Experimental Design and Transparency to Enhance Reproducibility: NIH and AHRQ Institutional Training Grants, Institutional Career Development Awards, and Individual Fellowships
• NIH NOT-OD-16-058   - NIH & AHRQ Grant Application Changes for Due Dates On or After Jan. 25, 2016