The application must be submitted by an institution that is registered with the U.S. Government to receive funding (see registration section below). For these RFAs, the submitting institution must be an African institution of higher education (public or private). The primary institution may award subcontracts or hire consultants from other types of institutions, so collaborators may be anywhere in the world and may represent different types of organizations such as research institutes. In most circumstances, U.S. government entities may not receive any funding through these awards.

The PI/PD, or at least one PI/PD on a multi-PI/PD application, must be an established investigator in their field (usually a PhD or MD level scientist) with an appointment at an eligible institution. Furthermore, the primary contact PI/PD must be a legal citizen of an African country in addition to having an appointment at the applicant institution; this individual does not, however, have to be a citizen of the country in which the applicant institution is located.

Senior/Key Personnel are generally the people making the largest intellectual contribution to the project, are driving the direction of the project, and will be involved in high-level decisions about the project. There are many very important contributors to every project who do not need to be listed as Senior/Key personnel. Senior/Key Personnel will need to provide Biosketches and information about their other support in the application. Additionally, if the award is made, some of these individuals may be designated by program staff as “key” in the notice of award (NOA), in which case they will need to provide updates about their activity each year and will need advance permission from program staff to reduce their time on the project by more than 25% of their initial time commitment. Depending on the scope of the project, it may or may not be necessary to include additional senior/key personnel beyond the PI/PD. If there are many Senior/Key Personnel, it is advisable to include a management plan that explains how they will work together to move the project forward.

Anyone who will contribute to the science in a meaningful way may be included as a collaborator. Collaborators may be from anywhere in the world and may be from many different types of institutions. Note that there are some limitations to whom may receive funding through the award, and no one may be paid twice to do the same work.

Yes, for most of the RFAs, an institution may submit multiple DISTINCT applications proposing different science or addressing difference scientific problems. An institution may also respond to multiple different funding opportunities.

However, each institution may only submit one application for the H3Africa Global Health Bioinformatics Training Program- U2R (RFA-RM-16-012).

Yes, so long as the proposals are scientifically distinct from one another and the total time commitment of an investigator from all sources does not exceed 12 CM. Note that that limitation applies only to awarded grants. Thus, the time commitment proposed for an individual named on multiple applications may exceed 100%, but if and when awards are made, that individual’s effort will be adjusted to not exceed 100%.

The applicant institution must have all its institutional registrations in order to submit an application (an institution must have: DUNS, NCAGE, SAM, Grants.gov, and ERA Commons account; see https://h3africa.org/index.php/resource/nih-resources-for-applicants-and-grantees/ for additional information). In addition, the PI/PD(s), postdocs and graduate students listed will need to be registered in eRA Commons.

All collaborating institutions (i.e. subcontracts) will need to be registered with DUNS, NCAGE, and SAM. It would be a good idea to start this process early so as not to hold up the award, but it does not have to be completed at the time of submitting an application.

An LOI is neither required nor binding. You may submit an application without an LOI or one that is different than what you submitted in your LOI. It is helpful to us if you do let us know about your intent to apply and notify us of any major changes that you are planning to make in your science or collaborators in the actual application so that we can 1) provide you with the best advice about your application and 2) provide information to the Scientific Review Officers so that they can begin to put together an appropriate review panel. However, whether you chose to submit an LOI is entirely up to you and will not be considered in the review process.

All applicants must use the electronic process when submitting their application. In “Part 1: Overview Instructions of the RFA”, there is link right above the table of contents to “Apply Online Using ASSIST”. This will take you to a login page for ASSIST where you will use your eRA Commons user name and password to log in. Detailed instructions for using ASSIST can be found here: https://era.nih.gov/files/ASSIST_user_guide.pdf, and you can get additional help here: https://era.nih.gov/erahelp/assist/. It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide (found here: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.htm) and the additional instructions provided in each RFA.

Apply early, perhaps one or even two weeks before the submission deadline. It is important to understand (1) that an application must be complete and contain no errors in order to be accepted by the electronic system and (2) that the complete, error-free application must be submitted by the submission deadline. No application will be accepted after the due date. Therefore, if you submit early, it will give you time to get any help you may need if you run into problems or have additional questions, and to correct any errors that may be detected by the electronic processing system. It is also very important to understand that, in the electronic processing system, errors are screened one at a time, sequentially. So, errors can only be corrected one at a time. Thus, if an application has multiple errors, it will need to have those errors corrected sequentially during the process. As this back and forth can take some time, especially with the time differences between the U.S. (where the help desk is located) and Africa, it is in your best interest to give your application enough time to get through the system. Again, no application will be accepted after the stated submission date.

Each RFA indicates the maximum amount that will be awarded and you should always check whether that limit is listed as Direct Costs (DC) or Total Costs (TC). This limit can be found in Part 2, Section II of the RFA in the subsection titled “Award Budget”. In the case of the H3Africa RFAs, there is a limit to the amount per year and the number of years that you may ask for. The proposed budget must be appropriate to the science proposed, as well as with the RFA. An applicant does not have to ask for the full amount.

This amount is set at 8% of the direct costs for all non-U.S. institutions. For example, for an application requesting 1M/year total costs, about $925,925 would be for direct costs and an additional approximately $74,075 would be for your institutional F&A. The exact amount may vary a bit depending on the application since some categories of funding, such as equipment and A&R (alterations and renovations) are excluded from F&A calculations.

This depends on where the collaborating institutions are geographically located. All non-U.S. institutions will also get 8%. However, institutions within the U.S. have their own, pre-negotiated indirect costs that they are entitled to. If the U.S. collaborating institution requests those indirect costs, NIH must honor those percentages. However, the African applicant may attempt to negotiate lower indirect costs for their subcontract; some U.S. institutions are willing to reduce these charges for subcontracts coming from low and middle-income countries (LMIC). You should inquire with your collaborator about whether this is possible.

Salary support is acceptable for anyone who is responsible for doing the science. Generally undergraduates are paid an hourly rate rather than a salary, but that is up to your institutional policy. Awards to the H3Africa Global Health Bioinformatics Training Program - U2R (RFA-RM-16-012) can support trainee tuition costs, but tuition costs are not generally supported through the other RFAs. Questions about specific RFAs should be addressed to the appropriate contact people (listed below).

There must be a genomics component for all applications, but not every single aim for a U01 or for a project in a U54 needs to address genomics directly. We also encourage the inclusion of environmental and health condition/disease phenotyping components as part of a genomic sciences application. If environmental measures or risk factors are being analyzed to explain etiology along with genetic risk factors, the project is expected to include robust validated environmental measures or biomonitoring as well as plans for how any environmental samples might be collected and stored.

Yes

Yes, but it should be in the context of studies of African populations, environment, and health on the African continent.

A U01 Research Project is smaller in scope and is generally one, self-contained project, usually with 2-4 related specific aims. A U01 often involves a single investigator, although multiple investigators may collaborate productively to accomplish a U01. Collaborators are not required for a U01 and a U01 project is generally not a large collaborative endeavor. A U54 Collaborative Center must have 3-5 individual but interrelated projects that work together collaboratively to produce a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. The projects should inform each other in some biologically meaningful way, but also be distinct from each other in some way. A U54 application has several component parts; one for each Research Project, one for the overall plan, one for an Administrative Core, and one each for any optional Cores that the applicant chooses to propose. Furthermore, a U54 Collaborative Center must involve at least 3 different African institutions (these can be within the same country or in different African countries), as well as any other collaborating institutions in Africa or outside of Africa that the investigators think would be essential for accomplishing the science. A U54 Collaborative Center will usually, but not necessarily, address a broader scientific question than a U01.

Most of the training should occur at African institutions. However, if there is a need to get training elsewhere, that is acceptable if the trainee(s) will then return to the applicant institution.

Yes, both currently funded and new applicants are eligible to apply.

Yes, they are both applying for the same pool of money. However, it does not provide an advantage to one group or the other for several reasons. First, renewal applications will need to include a progress report and will be judged, in part, on the progress that was made during the first round of funding. New applications should have some preliminary data and provide some evidence that the research goals put forth in the application can be accomplished. Ultimately, new applications are measured against different expectations since they have not yet been funded for the proposed project. Second, during the review process, each application is considered and scored independently, and not compared to other applications. Third, the NIH staff is hoping to expand the H3Africa program by funding a mix of new and renewing projects. Finally, the pool of available funds is not fixed, and applications that score well in areas of interest to NIH institutes and centers may attract additional funding.

Yes, at a minimum, genetic/genomic and associated phenotypic data produced must be submitted to the H3Africa Informatics Network, which will coordinate deposition in EGA so that the data may be publically available. Similarly, an aliquot of DNA used in production of data must be deposited in an H3Africa Biorepository. Details of the data and sample sharing policy can be found at h3africa.org. Exceptions to this policy must be well-justified and negotiated with NIH program staff. In addition to these required uses of the H3Africa Informatics Network and Biorepositories, other services may be provided as fee-for-service or as collaborative efforts. Negotiations for these additional uses should be made directly with the providers.

ELSI U01s and all H3Africa projects should be prepared to work with funded ELSI U54 awardees, as well as with the appropriate H3Africa Working Groups, to address new or ongoing ethical, legal or social issues related to their research.

A Community Engagement Plan should address how the community will be engaged both prior to, during, and after the study is complete. Thought should be given to how the community will benefit from the research project, what education and resources will be provided to the broader community, and how results from the project will be communicated to participants and/or their community. Do not forget to include a budget for your proposed community engagement activities.

When in doubt, read the RFA and if you do not find the answer that you need there, please do not hesitate to ask questions. Here are the links to each of the RFAs and the contact information for your primary source of information:

• RFA-RM-16-011: Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa): Informatics Network (U24) - Dr. Ken Wiley, Jr. ([email protected])
• RFA-RM-16-012: Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa): Global Health Bioinformatics Research Training Program (U2R) - Dr. Laura Povlich ([email protected])
• RFA-RM-16-013: Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa): Ethical, Legal, and Societal Issues (ELSI) Research Program (U01) - Dr. Ebony Madden ([email protected])
• RFA-RM-16-014: Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa): Ethical, Legal, and Societal Issues (ELSI) Collaborative Centers (U54) - Dr. Ebony Madden ([email protected])
• RFA-RM-16-015: Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa): Research Projects (U01) - Dr. Jennifer Troyer ([email protected])
• RFA-RM-16-016: Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3 Africa): Collaborative Centers (U54) - Dr. Jennifer Troyer ([email protected])
• RFA-RM-16-017: Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa): Coordinating Center (U24) - Dr. Jennifer Troyer ([email protected])

Additional contacts:
Grants Management questions: Deanna Ingersoll ([email protected])
Peer Review questions: Rudy Pozzati ([email protected])
Other questions: Laura Skow ([email protected])

Only public or private institutions of higher education in African low or middle income countries (LMICs) are eligible to apply.

LMICs are defined by the World Bank classification system (according to Gross National Income (GNI) per capita as “low-income,” “lower- middle-income,” and “upper-middle-income” (http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications/country-and-lending-groups).

No. Only eligible African institutions may apply. However, U.S. institutions may participate as collaborators.

Yes. PIs may lead applications to multiple H3Africa funding opportunities.

No. Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique DUNS number or NIH IPF number) is allowed for RFA-RM-16-012.

Yes. Both current H3Africa grantees and first time H3Africa applicants are encouraged to apply.

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research training program as the PI is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. First time applicants should make sure that their institution has the registrations required to submit an NIH application, as outlined in the funding opportunity announcement: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-16-012.html#_Section_III._Eligibility.

Program information for RFA-RM-16-012 is provided in detail in the funding opportunity announcement: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-16-012.html. All potential applicants should read this document and follow the instructions in Section IV (which supplement the instructions in the SF424 application guide).

This funding opportunity solicits applications that propose bioinformatics research training programs at African institutions that will address the need for advanced bioinformatics and data science research expertise in the H3Africa Consortium. Programs should provide long-term, full-time research training that contributes to the development of advanced bioinformatics research leadership at African institutions (partnerships with non-African institutions are allowed, see Questions 14 and 15).

Yes. Applications can propose to develop master’s or doctoral degree programs. Post-doctoral programs that provide full-time, long-term research training, but do not offer a degree, are also acceptable.

No. Short-term bioinformatics training is not supported by this funding opportunity.

Yes; however, proposed programs should support the development of new bioinformatics research training capacity at African LMIC institutions. This can include significant transformation of an existing degree program, but awards should not propose to support training slots in unmodified existing programs.

While a specific research grant or publication threshold is not specified, the applicant institution and any relevant partners should have documented genomics research funding and publications. Program faculty should have strong records as researchers, including recent publications and successful competition for research support in genomics, bioinformatics, or other relevant research areas.

Applicants may propose to provide training through a partnership structure with other Africa, U.S. or other high income country institutions. Partnerships should be well justified to enhance the specific objectives of the training program.

Yes; however, if a partnership structure is proposed, the African applicant should also propose how additional faculty from their institution will be trained to fill these existing gaps in expertise to eventually establish a sustainable bioinformatics research training program.

Yes. Multiple PIs with bioinformatics or relevant genomic expertise from partner institutions in Africa, U.S. or other high income country (HIC) institutions may be proposed. Multiple PIs should have a documented history of collaboration relevant to the proposed research training program.

Support from this award should not be used to acquire major infrastructure (purchase of capital equipment costing more than $5,000 is not allowed). Software and platform subscription or license costs may be included, as well as internet or cellular connectivity costs that are necessary for establishing the proposed training program.

Yes, applicants may include costs to support mentored research projects for trainees. One-time advanced in-country research training support of up to $20,000 direct costs per trainee for mentored research to be undertaken by a long-term trainee in his/her country may be included. It is expected that trainees will have opportunities for support through faculty mentors who have existing research grants at the institution (or other H3Africa funded projects).

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the funding opportunity announcement and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review. Be aware that the instructions in the FOA supersede those found in the SF424 application guide.

The application can be submitted any time between the “Open Date” and the ‘Application Due Date” noted in the FOA. Applicants and their institutions should familiarize themselves with the requirements of electronic submission through grants.gov, including registration of the applicant and the institution through NIH Commons. The registration process can take several weeks and applications cannot be submitted before all registrations are completed.

It is strongly suggested that you submit your application electronically at least a few days BEFORE the actual deadline. Remember, you must check for error messages to your email address after submission to Grants.gov AND subsequently when the application is transferred automatically to eRA Commons (error messages go to your eRA Commons Account). You must correct any Grants.gov and eRA-identified errors BEFORE the submission deadline or your application will NOT be accepted by NIH. Verify that your application is viewable in your eRA Commons account. If you cannot view the application in eRA Commons, NIH has not yet accepted it! Do not wait until the last day. Late applications will not be accepted for review.

No. The NIH requires electronic applications in response to this FOA and it is critical that applicants complete all required registrations well in advance of the application deadline as the registration process can take several weeks or longer.

Yes. Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH. For additional information, see the eRA Commons Registration FAQs.

The submitting institution and the PI are required to register in order to submit an application using the online systems. Applicants must have a valid Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in order to begin each of the following registrations:

• System for Award Management (SAM) – Applicants must complete and maintain an active entity registration (formerly CCR registration), which requires renewal at least annually. The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. Use the Sam.gov "Manage Entity" function to manage your entity registrations. See the Grants Registration User Guide at SAM.gov for additional information.
• Grants.gov
• eRA Commons - Organizations can register with the eRA Commons as they are working through their SAM or Grants.gov registration. eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application.
• Find detailed instructions about this multiple step registration process.