Grants Process Overview
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Logo
NIH > Office of Extramural Research Logo
Home About Grants Funding Forms & Deadlines Grants Policy News & Events About OER NIH Home
Grants and Funding
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
Grants Process Overview

Any successful project requires planning, development, implementation, and follow-through. Obtaining NIH funding for your research idea is no exception.  The Grants Process Overview 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
Planning

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

 Writing
Writing

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

 Submitting
Submitting

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



Months 1 - 3 Receipt and Referral 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.



Months 4 - 8 Peer Review 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.

  



Months 9 - 10 Award 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!

Post-Award Management

Administrative and fiscal monitoring, reporting, and compliance.

 

This page last updated on February 8, 2013
Content Manager: GrantsInfo@nih.gov
Technical Issues: E-mail OER Webmaster

Social Media Links