General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Pre-Application
What types of research does NCI fund with its grants?
NCI supports all areas of cancer research. You can learn about the types of projects supported through NCI grants by perusing the Funding for Cancer Training webpages.
When is the best time to apply if I want to start my award during a specific month?
Each NCI grant mechanism has its own due date(s) during any fiscal year. Please check the Funding for Cancer Training webpages for further information.
The interval between receipt of an application and funding is approximately 6-9 months. For example, if you require funding in June or July, you should plan to apply in 6-7 months in advance or no later than in December.
It is highly recommended to submit an application at least 2 days before the due date to be able to address any errors and/or warnings that may occur during the 2-day viewing window.
Who can I contact about grant applications at NCI?
If you have specific questions about your fellowship application, please contact the NCI Program Officer (also known as Program Director) listed in the funding opportunity.
Do you need to be a U.S. citizen to receive an NCI award?
Citizenship requirements at NCI are grant mechanism specific. Please check the Funding for Cancer Training webpages for further information.
What type of information should I include in the application?
Please read the funding opportunity and SF424 instructions (link) carefully and follow them closely.
Who do I contact if I have problems submitting an application?
If your Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) encounters problems during application submission, please contact the eRA Commons HelpDesk. Only complete applications can proceed to review. Once the due date has passed, there is nothing the NCI Program Officer can do to alter or fix an application.
Post-Application/Pending Review:
How should I reference my application when communicating with NCI?
The best number for referencing your application is the grant number that looks like this: 1F30CA123456-01.
The first number “1” indicates that it is a new application. The “F30” is an activity code that tells us what type of application it is (in this case a fellowship). The “CA12345” tells us that the application was assigned by NIH to NCI (hence the “CA”) and the “123456” is the serial number that means it is the 123,456th application that came to NCI. The final “01” tells us it is the first application/year for this award.
What is the general timeline for funding decisions?
Funding decisions are made by the NCI National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB). After applications for each round are reviewed, and the scores and summary statements are issued, the NCI determines which applications will be funded usually using the percentiles and overall impact scores as a guide. The funding plans are finalized 3 times per year and coincide with NCAB meetings (referred to as Council by NIH). Council Rounds take place in October, January, and May of each year. The Council Round is indicated on the summary statement. NCAB meetings typically occur in December, February, and June. Funding plans are generally finalized one to two months after the Council meetings.
How will reviewers evaluate my application?
Refer to “Section V. Application Review Information” of the corresponding funding opportunity.
What is the meaning of the Overall Impact/Priority score and percentile ranking?
NCI applications receive two scores:
- overall impact/priority score, and a
- percentile (only for applications reviewed by the Center for Scientific Review)
Before each Scientific Review Group meets, reviewers score each application on the review criteria using a 9-point rating scale, with 1=exceptional and 9=poor. Each Reviewer then provides their overall impact score for the application. The overall impact/priority score for the application is then determined by calculating the mean score from all reviewers’ priority scores and multiplying by 10, which results in scores from 10 (high impact) to 90 (low impact).
The percentile score indicates how your application compared to all other applications reviewed in a study section. The lower the percentile score, the better. For example, a 12th percentile indicates a grant was in the top 12% of all reviewed applications.
I received an ND instead of an overall impact/priority score. What does this mean?
ND stands for Not Discussed. If an application is not expected to be in the top 50% of the applications in a study section, the 2-3 reviewers assigned to read the application will determine that it is non-competitive, and no formal discussion of the application occurs during the review meeting. You will be provided with written critiques of your application in the summary statement and the designation of "ND" as an overall impact/priority score.
Post-Review
If my summary statement hasn't been released within 8 weeks, who should I reach out to for assistance?
Please contact the NCI Scientific Review Officer (SRO) on the status of your summary statement.
When can I discuss the outcome of the peer-review meeting with an NCI program official?
After your summary statement is released by the Scientific Review Officer (SRO) and you read it carefully, you can email the NCI program Official listed on the summary statement to discuss the outcome of the review meeting and the next steps/options.
What should be included in a resubmission application?
A one-page Introduction which includes your responses to reviewers’ criticisms in the summary statement and summarizes substantial additions, deletions, and changes to the application. You may also include a cover letter describing the major changes in couple of sentences, especially if you change the title and state that this is your one permitted resubmission. However, do not duplicate the Introduction Section in which you respond to the reviewers’ comments in the summary statement. Resubmissions should be complete applications with new/updated letters of support and letters of reference. It is optional to mark changes made to the application compared to the original submission to make the application review process easier for the reviewers. However, beware of “overcrowding” the text and making it more difficult to read for the reviewers.
When should I submit Just-in-Time (JIT) materials?
Automatic emails are generated for all applications that have been scored in review. That range includes applications that are outside NCI paylines, so this is not an indication of NCI’s intent to fund your application. When funding is likely, NCI staff (Program Official or Grants Management Specialist) will send a separate direct JIT request – in this case it is important to follow up on this request.
Does the Council make a funding decision on my application?
The second-level review by NCI Council (National Cancer Advisory Board – NCAB) is not a second scientific review. Rather, the council examines applications with potential barriers to funding such as human subjects and animal concerns, or special circumstances such as foreign applications, etc. The council recommends an application for funding. NCI makes the final decision based on many considerations, one of which is the availability of funds for the given fiscal year.
Post-Award
What is the procedure for requesting an unpaid leave of absence?
To request a leave of absence, a written request must be submitted by your Office of Sponsored Programs. All prior approval actions must be either submitted via email correspondence by the authorized organization representative (AOR) or by email request that includes signatures of both the PI and the AOR. These requests should be sent to the NCI Grants Management Specialist assigned to your fellowship award.
Who is my official post-award point of contact at NCI?
Your Program Officer is the main post-award point of contact for any questions you may have. However, all official communications should be sent by your institutional Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) to your NCI Grants Management Specialist and/or Program Officer.
Where do I find information on preparing my yearly progress report?
Forms and instructions for the NRSA Fellowship progress reports can be found on the "Forms" website. Look for form PHS 416-9, Individual Fellowship Progress Report for Continuation Support. Additional information may be found online, including the NIH and Other PHS Agency Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) Instruction Guide. Please follow step-by-step instructions to complete each section of the RPPR.
We are providing additional information for the following sections of the RPPR to clarify and navigate as to what should be included in the report.
(i) B.2 What was accomplished under these goals?
Instructions state: For this reporting period describe: 1) major activities; 2) specific objectives; 3) significant results, including major findings, developments, or conclusions (both positive and negative); and 4) key outcomes or other achievements. Include a discussion of stated goals not met. As the project progresses, the emphasis in reporting in this section should shift from reporting activities to reporting accomplishments. (Note: If citing references in this section, please provide a full citation. List all products from this reporting period in section C.)
Include what you did and not just the results and conclusions. You should only report what was accomplished during the duration of your award and clearly state what was accomplished during the current reporting period. A list of bullets is useful to describe what you did during the reporting period in lieu of a narrative.
Rigor, robustness, and lack of bias in your results (section B2 & B.6):
Make sure you address rigor and reproducibility under section B.2 and B.6
The RPPR is now expected to emphasize rigorous approaches taken to ensure robust and unbiased results in your response to section B.2 and B.6 of the RPPR. This is an annual reporting requirement. Elements to consider are the rigor of the prior research, rigorous experimental design for robust and unbiased results, consideration of relevant biological variables, and authentication of key biological and/or chemical resources, as applicable. For additional information follow the link: Enhancing Reproducibility through Rigor and Transparency | grants.nih.gov
For section B.2 (What was accomplished under these goals?): Include the approaches taken to ensure robust and unbiased results.
For section B.6 (What do you plan to do for the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?):
Discuss efforts to ensure that the approach is scientifically rigorous, and results are robust and unbiased.
(ii) G.2 Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
The instructions state: Describe the responsible conduct of research instruction received (or instruction given as a course director, discussion leader, etc., in the case of mid-career or senior career awardees) by formal and/or informal means, during this reporting period. If instruction or participation as a course director/discussion leader occurred in a prior budget period, note the dates of occurrence. Any activities undertaken to individualize instruction appropriate to career stage should be discussed. Address the five components: Format, Subject Matter, Faculty Participation, Duration, and Frequency. Additional detailed guidance on this requirement is found in the competing application instructions.”.
Make sure the RCR includes the following points:
(NOTE: Remove the instructions and leave only the bold name of each section and complete each section.)
Format - the required format of instruction, i.e., face-to-face lectures, coursework, and/or real-time discussion groups (a plan with only online instruction is not acceptable).
Subject Matter - the breadth of subject matter, e.g., conflict of interest, authorship, data management, human subjects and animal use, laboratory safety, research misconduct, and research ethics.
Faculty Participation - the role of the mentor(s) and other faculty involvement in the fellow's instruction.
Duration of Instruction - the number of contact hours of instruction (at least eight contact hours are required).
Frequency of Instruction - Instruction must occur during each career stage and at least once every four years.
It is imperative that you include specifics of dates and durations of the RCR training taken as well as what you plan to take in the following year(s) if applicable. Do not include general information about what your institution offers as a part of the RCR training program.