Application & Award Guidance

This guide is meant to provide additional application assistance and information for the Pioneer Award. It is supplemental, is not required, and does not replace instructions in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. To assemble a responsive application, you will need to refer to and follow instructions in the current FOA and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Instructions found in the FOA and SF424 (R&R) Application Guide supersede any instructions in this guide.

This guide contains directions and tips on applying for and managing the Pioneer Award, including information on:

• Eligibility
• Application Process
  1. Pre-Application Steps
  2. Application
  3. Sample Applications
  4. Letters of Reference
  5. Application Submission
• After Submission
  1. Post-Submission Materials
  2. Review Process
  3. Pre-Award Activities
• Award Management

SF424 (R&R) Application Guide

The SF424 (R&R) Application Guide provides comprehensive guidance on how to submit applications to NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Use version F of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, and follow the Research Instructions (R).

Funding Opportunity Announcement

A Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is a document used by federal agencies to announce the availability of grant funds to the public. A FOA is issued annually for the Pioneer Award. Always refer to the current, open FOA to complete your application.

Read the FOA carefully. It provides all the information needed to successfully assemble your application. Failure to comply with the instructions and requirements outlined in the FOA may result in your application being administratively withdrawn for non-compliance.

Follow the steps outlined in the current FOA. It will tell you when to refer to the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for more detailed instructions. It will also tell you when to deviate from the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Instructions in the FOA supersede instructions from the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

More questions? Contact us at PioneerAwards@mail.nih.gov.