This NIH program aims to enhance the retention of investigators facing critical life events as they transition to the first renewal of their first independent research project grant award or to a second new NIH research project grant award. Retention at the first renewal or continuous NIH research project grant support is crucial for sustaining both the ongoing research in which NIH has invested and for retaining diversity in the biomedical research workforce. This program supports “at-risk” investigators as identified in the NIH Next Generation Researchers Initiative.
This retention program seeks to maintain the productivity of current first-time recipients of eligible independent NIH research project grant awards who are dealing with a critical life event(s), such that they can remain competitive for the first renewal of their award or for a second research project grant award.
For retention supplements to support recipients of NIDCD mentored career development (K) awards, see the companion administrative supplement.
Budget
To be eligible, the parent award must be able to receive funds at the time of the award. The administrative supplement budget request is limited to one year.
Supplement budget requests cannot exceed $70,000/year direct costs (per release of this notice from NIH on December 1, 2022), and applicable F&A (indirect) cost can also be requested. Budgets may not exceed the total direct costs of the current parent award. Requests must reflect the actual needs of the proposed project. Categorical budgets are permitted. Awards are subject to availability of funds.
Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)
Program Directors (PDs)/Principal Investigators (PIs) of the following activity codes are eligible for the program: DP1, DP2, DP5, R01, R00, R15, R21, R35, RF1, and U01 and who have a qualifying critical life event. PD/PIs with more than one independent research project grant award are ineligible for this supplement.
Qualifying critical life events: The PD/PI must demonstrate a critical life event such as childbirth or adoption during the parent grant project period; or primary caregiving responsibilities for an ailing spouse, partner, or member of the immediate family. In circumstances in which the critical life event is pending and is expected to occur during the project period, the supplement period may be submitted in advance of the event.
Detailed eligibility criteria are described in the full announcement.
NIDCD-Specific Information
- This program has been extended for fiscal year 2023.
- Application due date: Friday, June 9, 2023.
- Application review: June – July 2023.
- Earliest award date: August – September 2023.
- Projects in a no-cost extension period are not eligible to apply.
- Awards that received COVID-related administrative supplements are not eligible to apply.
- Awards with more than 25% unspent funds in the parent award are not eligible to apply.
- PIs with more research awards than the parent award are not eligible to apply.
- Applications should include a letter signed by the Institutional Business Official certifying the PI’s eligibility for the supplement award and a description of institutional support.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a strong justification and detailed rationale for the need for supplemental support and the impact of the critical event on the progress of the parent award and the successful completion of the research project.
- NIDCD strongly encourages the PD(s)/PI(s) to get in touch with the scientific program contact listed in this table before submitting an application.