Grants Process Overview

Grants Process
Grants Process Overview
Types of Grant Programs
How to Apply
Peer Review Process
Award Management
Foreign Grants Information
NIH Financial Operations

Electronic Grants
Electronic Research Administration (eRA)
eRA Commons
Applying Electronically

Global OER Resources
Glossary & Acronyms
Frequently Used Links
Frequently Asked Questions

All About Grants Podcasts Available

Grants Process At-A-Glance

Any successful project requires planning, development, implementation, and follow-through. Obtaining NIH funding for your research idea is no exception. The Grants Process At-A-Glance Chart below provides an overview of the steps required for an application to proceed from application planning and submission through award and close out. Look to the related resources on each page for special guidance from NIH experts that can help maximize your understanding of the grants process and help you submit a successful grant application.

Planning, Writing, Submitting

Planning: Applicant should start early, collect preliminary data, and determine internal deadlines.

Writing: Applicant often begins writing application several months prior to application due date.

Submitting: Applicant organization submits most applications to NIH through Federal portal, Grants.gov.


Receipt and Referral

Applications compliant with NIH policies are assigned for review by the Division of Receipt and Referral in the Center of Scientific Review (CSR).

CSR assigns application to an NIH Institute/Center (IC) and a Scientific Review Group (SRG).

Scientific Review Officer (SRO) assigns applications to reviewers and readers.


Peer Review

Initial Level of Review:
SRG members review and evaluate applications for scientific merit.

Impact Scores:
Available to Principal Investigator on eRA Commons.

Summary Statement: Available to Principal Investigator on eRA Commons.

Second Level of Review: Advisory council/board reviews applications.


Award

Pre-Award Process: IC grants management staff conducts final administrative review and negotiates award.*

Notification of Award: NIH Institute/Center (IC) director makes funding decision. IC staff issues and sends Notice of Award (NoA) to applicant institution/organization.

Congratulations!
Project period officially begins!

*NIH Requests additional information needed just-in-time for award.


Post-Award Management

Administrative and fiscal monitoring, reporting, and compliance.

NOTE: Timeline is based on the standard grants process. It does not reflect a shorter timeframe for grants undergoing expedited review (e.g., AIDS).

<--- Previous Topic | Next Topic --->

Top of Page

Page Last Updated: May 8, 2012
Page Last Reviewed: March 20, 2008
Content Manager: GrantsInfo@nih.gov
Technical Issues: E-mail OER Webmaster