Competing Continuations
Check “Competing Continuation” box on checklist.
Enter previous 2 character institute code and 5 or 6 digit project number
(CA012345).
- NIH doesn’t require the rest.
Increases allowed
- Some institutes impose caps (generally 10% to 20%). See institute
website for specifics.
- Categorical budgets to modular budgets can usually round up to the
next module.
Following is a published example of policies for budget increases
(NHLBI):
Categorical to Categorical:
For competing renewal and MERIT extension grants that were
categorical awards in the preceding competitive segment and will be
in excess of $250,000 direct costs in any given year in the recommended
competitive segment, the Institute will award at the Council recommended
direct cost up to a maximum of 10 percent above the level of the last
noncompeting award of the preceding competitive segment, except for
specific programmatic and administrative adjustments that may be warranted.
The 10 percent maximum will only be exceeded to accommodate non-recurring
equipment costs.
Categorical to Modular:
For competing renewal and MERIT extension grants that were
categorical awards in the preceding competitive segment and will be
no more than $250,000 direct costs in any given year in the recommended
competitive segment, the Institute will award at the Council recommended
direct cost up to a maximum of 10 percent above the level of the last
noncompeting award of the preceding competitive segment rounded up to
the next module. For example, if the last noncompeting direct cost award
was $150,000, a 10 percent escalation would be $165,000. As a result,
the applicant would be allowed to round up to the next module, and request
$175,000 in direct costs. The cap will only be exceeded to accommodate
non-recurring equipment costs, which will also be rounded up to the
next module. For example, if requested equipment costs $15,000, a one-time
request for an additional module may be made. However, if one-time equipment
costs result in direct costs in excess of $250,000, the award will be
made as categorical and so actual equipment costs will be awarded.
Modular to Modular:
For competing renewal and MERIT extension grants that were
modular awards in the preceding competitive segment and will be no more
than $250,000 direct costs in any given year in the recommended competitive
segment, the Institute will award at the Council recommended direct
cost up to a maximum number of modules specified as follows:
If the previous award is 6 or fewer modules, the competing renewal may
be one module more than the previous award. For example, if the last
noncompeting direct cost award was $150,000 (6 modules), the applicant
would be allowed to apply for $175,000 (7 modules).
If the previous award is 7 or 8 modules, the competing renewal may be
two more modules than the previous award. For example, if the last noncompeting
direct cost award was $200,000 (8 modules), the applicant would be allowed
to apply for $250,000 (10 modules).
These modular caps will only be exceeded to accommodate non-recurring
equipment costs, which will also be rounded up to the next module. For
example, if requested equipment costs $15,000, a one-time request for
an additional module may be made. However, if one-time equipment costs
result in direct costs in excess of $250,000, the award will be made
as categorical and so actual equipment costs will be awarded.
Modular to Categorical:
If the previous award is 9 or 10 modules, any requested increase will
cause the competing renewal to be awarded as categorical. In all such
cases, the Institute will award at the Council recommended direct cost
up to a maximum of 10 percent above the level of the last noncompeting
award of the preceding competitive segment, except for specific programmatic
and administrative adjustments that may be warranted. The 10 percent
maximum will only be exceeded to accommodate non-recurring equipment
costs.
Resubmissions (Revisions/Amendments)
Max of 3 submissions of the same project (3 strikes your out rule)
- Original and 2 resubmissions allowed within 2 years of the initial
application receipt date.
(http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-011.html)
Check “Revision” box on checklist (even if it is a Competing
Continuation revision).
Enter 2 character institute code and 5 or 6 digit project number. (CA012345)
- NIH doesn’t require the rest.
*** Check with the Principal Investigator to see if reviewers made any
comments on administrative issues (format, budget, etc.) that can be
improved. ***
Common Pitfalls in Submission of Revised Applications
Face page
- Congressional District now 15, not 13
- No longer need human OR animal approval at time of submission.
If animal approval is pending, type “pending” in date slot.
Abstract page
- Update key personnel. Add or remove people accordingly.
- Collaborator: NIH no longer recognizes this title. This may be different
from the last submission. Change to Consultant or Co-Investigator.
Budget
Categorical Budgets
- Check that justification is updated to match new budget.
- Animal housing costs are now 39.5% SSFF.
- Personnel have updated titles/names.
- Subcontract sites are updated including letters.
Biosketches – Research Support Section
- Watch that projects are in the correct category according to end date
(Current/Ongoing vs. Completed).
- Also check that Completed research support listings are not too old.
- Suggest using one category (Ongoing or Completed in the Last Three
Years) to avoid having to move from one category to the next.
Resources
- Read through to make sure space listed is accurate for the current
submission.
Checklist
- Even if it is a resubmission of a Competing Continuation, only check
the “Revision” box.
- DHHS agreement date is now 6/28/02.
Consultant Letters
- Make sure all consultant letters are updated and reissued.
K Award Specific Information
- Since no checklist is submitted, please add NIH assigned number from
last submission to #10 Notes on the PAF.
(For additional K Award hints – see the Career Awards document
distributed to GPAC in January ’03)
Mentor / Institutional Commitment (Chair letter)/ Consultant Letters
- Consultant letters should be updated/reissued.
