NIH SF424 grant instructions can be found here.

Sample Grant Applications and Grant Writing Tips can be found on the UCLA CTSI website.

Research Templates 

  • Templates and tips for many of the required uploads on an NIH grant submission can be found on the UCLA CTSI website.
  • Please see below for additional information. 


    Bibliography & References Cited

  • All citations should be included in the Bibliography & References Cited upload rather than included within individual documents.
  • Active hyperlinks in this section are not allowed.
  • PMCID numbers must be included when citing articles covered by the NIH Public Access Policy. If a PMCID# is not yet assigned, citing NIHMS numbers or stating “PMC Journal – In Process” is also acceptable.
  • If citations are not covered by the Public Access Policy, you may include URLs or PubMed ID (PMID) numbers along with the full reference.
  • The UCLA Biomed Library may be available to assist with questions regarding compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy. Please contact the Pediatrics Pre-Award Team to connect you. 


    Biosketch

  • The Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv), can be used to create biosketches for many federal agencies.
  • Use of SciENcv is not
  • PMCID numbers must be included when citing articles covered by the NIH Public Access Policy. If a PMCID# is not yet assigned, citing NIHMS numbers or stating “PMC Journal – In Process” is also acceptable.
  • For additional information, please refer here


    Cover Letter

  • Cover letter templates are available for grant proposals and K or F grant proposals. For Word versions, please contact the Pre-Award team. 


    Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP)

  • As of January 25, 2023, a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP) must be submitted with each NIH proposal for research that is expected to generate scientific data. DMSPs are reviewed by NIH staff. Peer Review will not see or review DMS Plans, but will consider any related budget items.
  • Please click here to determine if your research project requires a DMSP.
  • Please see the following tool to determine which sharing policies are required for your specific research project.
  • Please click here for a description of the type of information to include in your DMSP (should be no more than 2 pages).
  • Please see the optional form page found here.
  • You may use the DMSP tool to help create your data sharing plan
    • Go to: https://dmptool.org
    • Login using your UCLA ID
    • Create plan
    • Select “National Institutes of Health (nih.gov)” for Funder
    • Select NIH-GEN DMSP (Forthcoming 2023) for “Which DMP template would you like to use?”
    • Use the wizard-style interface to author the DMSP and then download as a PDF
  • DMSPs must articulate a plan and budget for the managing and sharing of data. If applicable, costs may also be included for the Genomic Data Management and Sharing. Please see the following link for allowable costs. Budget justification must include a description of costs (no more than half page within the overall budget justification).
  • Please see sample plans.
  • Resource Sharing Plan: this section now consists only of the following content: Sharing Model Organisms: Regardless of the amount requested, all applications where the development of model organisms is anticipated are expected to include a description of a specific plan for sharing and distributing unique model organisms or state why such sharing is restricted or not possible. 
  • Please discuss any foreign collaborations with NIH Program Staff. 


    Facilities & Other Resources

  • Please see the UCLA CTSI website for boilerplate text that can be used as part of your Facilities & Other Resources document.
  • Early Stage Investigators (ESI’s) should describe institutional investment that is provided via financial and logistical support, as well as training opportunities. 


    Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information (HSCTI)

  • Please see the UCLA CTSI website for guidelines and templates pertaining to human subjects research and clinical trials. 


    Other Support

  • PI’s are able to access their Other Support form through the PI Portal found here.
  • Alternatively, please feel free to contact either the Pre-Award team (grant proposal, JIT) or Post Award team (progress report) to request your Other Support form.

Continuous Submission

  • NIH allows certain grant applications to be submitted on a continuing basis where one or more of the PIs serve as an appointed member of an NIH chartered standing study section, NIH Board of Scientific Counselors, NIH Advisory Board or Council, or an NIH Program Advisory Committee (only applicable for R01, R21, and R34 applications that would normally be submitted on a standard application due dates (not special receipt dates). For additional information, please see here
  • As part of your application, you must include a cover letter identifying the Study Section, Council, Board, or other Advisory Group on which you serve and the period of service.
  • Continuous submission eligibility instructions can be found here.

Early Stage Investigator (ESI)

  • An Early Stage Investigator (ESI) is a PI who has completed their terminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training, whichever date is later, within the past 10 years and who has not previously competed successfully as PI for a substantial NIH independent research award. If the PI is flagged as ESI on the date of a grant submission, then the application will be flagged for special consideration. For additional information, please click here and here.
  • Please refer here for a list of smaller grants, training and mentored career awards that a PI can hold and still maintain ESI status.
  • Benefits of ESI status include: prioritization of ESI applications with scores within funding range; peer reviewers assessing more for potential than actual achievement.
  • Determining eligibility: Investigators must be sure to update their eRA Commons Profile to ensure that their ESI status is accurately calculated.
  • ESI Extensions: NIH will consider extending the period of ESI status for certain life events. For additional information, please see here.

Post Submission Application Materials

  • NIH accepts limited information following grant submission and prior to the time of initial peer review (see NOT-OD-19-083).
  • Please let the Pediatrics Pre-Award Team know if you have Post Submission Application materials and we will work with OCGA to have these items submitted to NIH.