Application Process

Application Submission

NIH expects that applications be submitted on time, which means the application is submitted error free no later than 5:00 PM local (applicant institution) time on the application due date. There is no deadline extension to correct for errors in the application, so all errors must be corrected by the submission deadline.

Institutions often have their own internal deadlines, so be sure to check when your institution needs your application.

About Submitting

Electronic submission of your application is required. Your institution may submit using the NIH Application Submission System and Interface for Submission Tracking (ASSIST), Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system. If your institution uses a proprietary application system, keep in mind that the system may have its own forms, layouts, or special fields.

Regardless of the application method, all applications pass through Grants.gov for a timestamp and validation checks. To be on time, Grants.gov must successfully timestamp your application by 5:00 PM of your institution's local time on the receipt date listed in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

Submitting your application may not be straightforward, so be sure to learn more about the process and work with your institution’s business office. If you encounter any problems, contact the NIH Service Desk immediately. They will document the date and time you contacted them, which is helpful in case there are delays in resolving the issue and there are downstream effects.

For technical support and information, use the following links:

• Avoiding Common Errors
• Annotated SF424 Grant Application Forms for field-by-field tips on avoiding common application mistakes
• eRA Training
• NIH Service Desk
• Grants.gov Support

Late Applications

As stated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement, late applications will not be accepted.
 

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