Glycoscience - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Questions
2. Can individual investigator submit multiple applications?
3. Do I need to write a letter of intent?
4. Are milestones the same as specific aims?
5. What makes a good application for a Common Fund Program?
7. Can you provide some examples about what the RFAs are looking for?
8. How are the objectives of RFAs RM16-022 and RM16-023 different?
Review Questions
9. When will my application be reviewed, and by whom?
U01 Specific Questions
10. I've never done a U01 application before, how are they different from an R01?
General Questions
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Q: Are small businesses eligible to apply these grants?
A: Yes, Small Businesses are eligible to apply
Q: Can intramural NIH investigators apply?
A: Yes, eligible agencies of the Federal Government include the NIH Intramural Program.
Q: Can FDA investigators apply for these RFAs?
A: Yes, eligible agencies of the Federal Government include the FDA.
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Q: Can individual investigator submit multiple applications?
A: Yes, individual investigators can submit multiple applications as long as they don’t overlap scientifically
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Q: Do I need to write a letter of intent?
A: A letter of intent is not required to submit an application. Letters of intent are not binding, and do not enter into the review of a subsequent application, however, the information that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review. Letter of intent due date is October 28, 2016.
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Q: Are milestones the same as specific aims?
A: No. While specific aims are usually focused on a particular scientific question or even a proposal to make a tool or database, milestones are very concrete indicators of progress at critical junctures of the study. Thus, an aim can contain several milestones, or a late milestone can integrate and encompass more than one aim. In the context of tool development, they can be important steps in assembling or feasibility testing of components, up to and including a final proof-of-principle or validation test. In the context of data acquisition, they can be critical steps in the optimization of equipment, staff placement, collaborative logistics, or thresholds of data acquired, analyzed or banked. While the aims describe the expectation of an outcome, the milestones describe how you will know whether progress has been achieved.
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Q: What makes a good application for a Common Fund Program?
A: Common Fund Programs are meant to support projects that are different from mainstream studies by addressing key roadblocks in emerging fields that will transform the way biomedical research is conducted. Applicants must explicitly address how the proposed research will have an impact which cuts across the interests of individual NIH Institutes and Centers and the reviewers will evaluate whether the project proposes an incremental improvement or a significant advancement which will transform the field. Applicants must also provide compelling justification for Common Fund support rather than from an individual NIH Institute or Center.
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Q: I see the deadline for this proposal is November 2016, is there likely to be future calls for applications in this area in the coming years?
The program is expected to be active for several years. It is expected that additional Funding Opportunity Announcements will be published on an annual basis.
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Q: Can you provide some examples about what the RFAs are looking for?
A: Specific examples of tools (RFA-RM-16-022 and RFA-RM-16-023) methods and technologies for synthesis (RFA-RM-16-020) can be found in the RFAs under Part 2. Full Text of Announcement; Section I. Funding Opportunity Description; Specific Areas of Research Interest
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How are the objectives of RFAs RM16-022 and RM16-023 different?
A: RM16-022 is seeking new tools or technologies that will make analysis or manipulation of glycans more accessible to all researchers. These are expected to be novel developments, meaning the tool or technology has not existed before and will likely expand our capability to research complex carbohydrates. RM16-023 on the other hand solicits research that involves innovative adaptations of existing technologies that can readily be adapted to glycoscience research in a manner not currently used. For example, adapting commonly used laboratory techniques such as polymerase chain reaction, facile separation methods, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, or methods and software to simplify mass spectral analysis of glycans may be responsive to this FOA. The objectives or RM16-023 are primarily to make glycoscience research more amenable to researchers outside this field where they can apply techniques that are already used in their laboratories or where the core resources are readily available at their institutions.
Review Questions
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Q: When will my application be reviewed, and by whom?
A: All applications will be reviewed by the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) in Special Emphasis Panels. Specific questions about review should be directed to the Scientific Review Officer (SRO) assigned to the application.
U01 Specific Questions
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Q: I've never done a U01 application before, how are they different from an R01?
A: A U01 is similar to a R01 but is used when substantial programmatic involvement is anticipated between the awarding Institute and Center. You will work closely with your Project Scientist and Program Officer as your project progresses. They will not direct your research but will serve to assist you as you interact with other scientists in the Glycoscience Consortium (formed through this Common Fund program). Several key requirements associated with being awarded an U01 are:
- Attendance at Consortium meetings, workshops, and conference calls
- All investigators are under a confidential disclosure agreement regarding all private information within the Consortium
- Participate in cross-validation of your own and others’ tools/technologies
- PIs retain intellectual rights to any inventions they make under the U01
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Q: Do individual U01 projects have to have multiple groups to collaborate? If so, how many are appropriate?
A: There is no requirement to establish a team of laboratories within a given U01. Single PI or multi-PI applications are welcome, similar to any R01. Perhaps the misunderstanding of ‘team science’ is coming from having to join the Consortium of investigators funded under these RFA’s, where you will communicate with others outside your own group, and a sense of teamwork will be fostered. In some cases it may be beneficial to collaborate with others within the consortium. Your Project Scientist can help you in matters like this should unique scientific opportunities arise. Read Section VI.2 of the RFA closely to understand in full detail the responsibilities of the PIs and NIH program staff in a cooperative agreement.
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Q: Given that this Funding Opportunity uses the U01 mechanism, will technical assistance be available for interested applicants?
A: A technical assistance workshop was held for potential applicants on October 20, 2014. NIH staff was available to answer questions related to this FOA. For applicants that were not available at this time, the archived workshop is available here.
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Q: I was wondering whether or not the R01 application I was planning to submit in Oct would be more appropriate for the above mentioned U01 RFA.
A: These U01 programs are intended to be aggressive efforts to produce the tools and methodologies necessary, to facilitate the broader scientific communities ability to address important research questions in the glycosciences. If you are developing a tool(s) or method that could be widely used, or are developing synthetic methodology that will open up new chemical space for carbohydrates and/or move the synthesis of carbohydrates towards automation, you should consider these U01 programs. It’s advisable to discuss your ideas with the appropriate Program Officer assigned to the RFA of interest to you.
