General Application Instructions 1

General Application Instructions

Version 001

Department of Defense

Deployed Warfighter Protection (DWFP) Program

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. HELPFUL INFORMATION

II. eBRAP REGISTRATION AND PRE-APPLICATION SUBMISSION

III. APPLICATION SUBMISSION FOR EXTRAMURAL ORGANIZATIONS

IV. APPLICATION SUBMISSION FOR INTRAMURAL ORGANIZATIONS

APPENDIX 1 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

APPENDIX 2 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

APPENDIX 3 QUALIFICATION AND RESTRICTIONS INFORMATION

APPENDIX 4 FORMATTING GUIDELINES

APPENDIX 5 ACRONYM LIST

This General Application Instructions document must be read in conjunction with the program announcement for this funding opportunity, which is available for downloading from

Grants.gov and eBRAP.org.

General Application Instructions 2

I. HELPFUL INFORMATION

A. Tips for Success

This symbol marks helpful hints throughout this document.

This symbol refers the reader to the program announcement for specific instructions.

B. Applicant Organizations

Applications may be submitted by extramural organizations and intramural Department of Defense (DOD) organizations, defined as follows:

Extramural Organization: An eligible non-DOD organization. Examples of extramural organizations include academia, biotechnology companies, foundations, government, and research institutes. Extramural Submission: Application submitted by a non-DOD organization to Grants.gov.

Intramural DOD Organization: A DOD laboratory, DOD Military Treatment Facility, and/or DOD activity embedded within a civilian medical center. Intramural Submission: Application submitted by a DOD organization for an intramural investigator working within a DOD laboratory or Military Treatment Facility or in a DOD activity embedded within a civilian medical center.

Applications from an intramural DOD organization or from an extramural non-DOD federal organization may be submitted through a research foundation.

C. Pre-Application and Full Application Portal Systems

The electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) https://ebrap.org, is a secure web-based system that allows Principal Investigators (PIs) to submit their pre-applications, view and verify extramural full applications submitted to Grants.gov, receive communications from the Deployed Warfighter Protection (DWFP) Program at the Armed Forces Pest Management Board (AFPMB), and submit documentation during award negotiations and throughout the period of performance. eBRAP also allows intramural organizations to submit full applications following pre-application submission.

The Firefox web browser is recommended to access eBRAP.org.

The eBRAP platform allows an organization’s representatives and PIs to view and modify certain components of the full application submissions associated with them. It will validate full application files against the specific program announcement requirements, and discrepancies will be noted in an email to the PI and in the Full Application Files tab in eBRAP. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review all application components for accuracy and to ensure proper ordering as specified in the program announcement.

Grants.gov (https://grants.gov) is a federal system required to be utilized by agencies to receive and process extramural grant applications. Extramural organizations submit full applications to Grants.gov only after submission of a pre-application through eBRAP.

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D. Current Funding Opportunities

All funding opportunities currently offered through the DWFP Program at AFPMB may be viewed at https://grants.gov; users should enter Assistance Listing (AL) Number 12.355 when searching for AFPMB funding opportunities on Grants.gov. Information about funding opportunities may also be found on the eBRAP website at https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm. Applicants who subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on eBRAP’s home page (https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/programSubscription/Subscribe.htm) will receive email notification of DWFP Program funding opportunity releases. Email notifications of funding opportunities are sent as a courtesy; applicants should subscribe on Grants.gov to receive notifications of updates and new grant opportunity postings (https://grants.gov/web/grants/manage-subscriptions.html).

To ensure accurate referencing, please verify that the three-digit (numeric) version number on the General Application Instructions matches the version number of the program announcement found in Section II.H.1, “Program Announcement and General Application Instructions Versions,” of the program announcement.

E. Receiving Emails from AFPMB, eBRAP, and Grants.gov

To help ensure that all email correspondence is delivered correctly and is not treated as spam, keep your email address up to date in eBRAP (intramural and extramural applicants) and/or Grants.gov (extramural applicants), and place the following domains into your safelist: army.mil, us.army.mil, *.mail.mil, health.mil, eBRAP.org, and Grants.gov. Use the same email address when submitting both the pre-application and the full application.

The applicant is responsible for using the latest version of the full application package. It is incumbent upon the applicant to check for published updates to the funding opportunity and the application package prior to submission. Applications submitted without the required components of the full application package may be rejected. Applicants are encouraged to sign up to receive notifications of changes to the funding opportunity (https://grants.gov/) through either (1) the “Send me change notification emails” link on the Synopsis page for the specific program announcement or (2) by responding to the Grants.gov prompt when first downloading the Grants.gov application package (extramural applicants only).

F. Agency Contacts

1. eBRAP Help Desk: Questions related to program announcement content or submission requirements, as well as questions related to submission of pre-applications (extramural and intramural submissions) or full applications (intramural submissions only) through eBRAP, should be directed to the eBRAP Help Desk, which is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (closed on most U.S.

General Application Instructions 4 federal holidays). Response times may vary depending on the volume of inquiries.

The eBRAP Help Desk will not provide Grants.gov submission assistance.

Phone: 301-682-5507 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Email: help@eBRAP.org

2. Extramural Submissions – Grants.gov Contact Center: Questions related to application submission through the Grants.gov portal should be directed to the Grants.gov Contact Center, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed on U.S. federal holidays).

Phone: 800-518-4726; International 1-606-545-5035

Email: support@grants.gov

G. Application Submission Overview

Application submission is a two-step process.

STEP 1. Pre-application submission: All pre-applications for both extramural and intramural organizations must be submitted through eBRAP (https://eBRAP.org/).

STEP 2. Full application submission: Full applications must be submitted through the online portals as described below.

Extramural Application Submissions: Full applications from extramural organizations must be submitted through Grants.gov Workspace (refer to Section III, Application Submission for Extramural Organizations). Applications submitted by extramural organizations (e.g., research foundations) on behalf of intramural DOD or other federal organizations or investigators are considered extramural submissions. Full applications from extramural organizations, including non-DOD federal organizations, received through eBRAP will be withdrawn.

Intramural Application Submissions: Intramural DOD organizations may submit full applications to either eBRAP or Grants.gov. Intramural organizations that are unable to submit to Grants.gov should submit through eBRAP (refer to Section IV). Intramural organizations with the capability to submit through Grants.gov may submit following the instructions for extramural submissions through Grants.gov or may submit to eBRAP.

All pre-application and application components must be submitted by the deadlines stipulated on the first page of the program announcement. Failure to meet any of the deadlines will result in application rejection.

Submission of applications from U.S. federal agencies and those proposing collaborations with military facilities have unique requirements. Budget requirements and restrictions apply. See Section III.A.5, Research & Related Budget and Section III.A.8, Suggested DOD Collaborating Military Facility Budget Format.

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II. eBRAP REGISTRATION AND PRE-APPLICATION SUBMISSION

General eBRAP registration information is provided below (Section II.A). For detailed instructions, refer to the eBRAP User Guide (https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/UserGuide.pdf) for eBRAP registration and https://grants.gov for Grants.gov registration.

A. Registration Requirements (All Applicants) eBRAP Registration

All PIs must register in eBRAP to submit a pre-application.

During eBRAP registration, the PI must request to be affiliated with their organization from the list of organizations already registered with eBRAP. If the PI’s organization is not already registered with eBRAP, the PI must invite an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) to register the organization. The AOR does not need to complete the organization registration in eBRAP prior to the pre-application submission deadline in order for the pre-application to be submitted. However, the organization’s eBRAP registration must be completed before the full application submission deadline to allow for processing, viewing, and modifying select components of the full application package.

Specific information must be identical between the pre-application and the full application for eBRAP to process an application. The application title, eBRAP log number, and all information for the PI, Business Official(s), performing organization, and contracting organization must be consistent for the entire pre-application and application submission process. Inconsistencies may delay application processing and limit or negate the ability to view, modify, and verify the application in eBRAP.

Extramural Submissions: Application submitted by a non-DOD organization to Grants.gov.

Applicants should ensure that their name and email address are the same as the name and email address on the Standard Form 424 Research and Related (SF424 Research & Related) Form of the Grants.gov application package submitted through Grants.gov Workspace.

Intramural Submissions: Application submitted by a DOD organization for an intramural investigator who is a DOD military or civilian employee working within a DOD laboratory or other DOD agency or DOD activity. Applicants should ensure that their name and email address are the same as the name and email address that will be provided within the full application package through eBRAP for intramural applicants.

B. Content and Form of Pre-Application Submission

For specific instructions regarding content of the pre-application submission components, refer to the program announcement.

PIs are encouraged to start the registration process for eBRAP early to ensure sufficient time for completion prior to the submission deadline. There is no grace period.

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All pre-application components must be submitted through eBRAP (https://eBRAP.org/) by the deadline specified in the program announcement. Click on “Submit” and “Confirm Submission” to complete the pre-application submission.

During pre-application submission, the PI must identify a Business Official from the list of Business Officials registered with eBRAP. If the PI’s Business Official is not already registered with eBRAP, the PI must invite the Business Official to register. This invitation to register must be sent prior to the pre-application deadline. The Business Official’s registration must be completed prior to the full application deadline to allow the Business Official to view, modify, and verify the application in eBRAP after submission.

During pre-application submission, the PI must select the performing organization (site at which the PI will perform the proposed work) and contracting organization (organization submitting on behalf of the PI) and click on “Add Organizations to this Pre-application.” The organization(s) must be either selected from the eBRAP drop-down list or invited to allow submission of the pre-application.

The pre-application consists of the following components, organized in eBRAP by separate tabs:

Tab 1 Application Information: Enter the application information as described in eBRAP before continuing the pre-application. Submission of application information includes assignment of primary and secondary research classification codes, which can be found at https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review and confirm the codes prior to making their selection. Click on “Save.”

Tab 2 Application Contacts: Enter contact information for the PI. Enter the name of the organization’s Business Official responsible for sponsored program administration.

Depending on screen resolution, scrolling horizontally may be necessary to locate the box to “Invite an AOR” to register the performing and/or contracting organizations. Click on “Add Organizations to this Pre-application.” The Business Official must be either selected from the eBRAP list or invited to allow the pre-application to be submitted. If the Business Official cannot be found in eBRAP, an invitation must be sent to them to register in eBRAP.

Tab 3 Collaborators and Key Personnel: Enter the name, organization, and role of all collaborators and key personnel associated with the application. Click on “Save.”

The DWFP Program does not follow National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines for role designation of project participants. Unless otherwise noted in the program announcement (e.g., Partnering PIs), applicants should assign the role of each participant in accordance with the participant’s respective involvement in the project.

No member of the Programmatic Panel may be named as being involved in the research proposed or found to have assisted in the pre-application or application processes.

If formal collaboration with DOD personnel is planned (i.e., included in the application in performance of the research), those DOD personnel are prohibited from being involved in the review process and/or with making funding recommendations.

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Tab 4 Conflicts of Interest: To avoid conflicts of interest during the screening and review processes, list all individuals, other than collaborators and key personnel, who may have a conflict of interest in the review of the application (including those with whom the PI has a personal or professional relationship). Click on “Save.”

Tab 5 Pre-Application Files: Upload all documents as PDF as specified in the program announcement. Documents should conform to the formatting guidelines outlined in Appendix 4. Click on “Upload.”

eBRAP will truncate characters exceeding the limit specified for each data field as specified in the program announcement.

eBRAP will not allow a document to be uploaded in the “Required Files” tab if the number of pages exceeds the limits specified in the program announcement.

Tab 6 Submit Pre-Application: Enter eBRAP password and click the “Submit” button.

Click the “Confirm Submission” button to complete the pre-application submission. This finalizes the pre-application process.

The pre-application is not submitted until Tab 6 is complete. Pre-applications not completed remain in DRAFT status.

Following completion of pre-application submission, the status of the pre-application in eBRAP will change from “DRAFT” to “SUBMITTED” and a confirmation email will be sent to the PI and named Business Official. An applicant with a pre-application in DRAFT status after the pre-application submission deadline is ineligible to submit an application.

Check the status of the pre-application. There is no grace period.

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III. APPLICATION SUBMISSION FOR EXTRAMURAL ORGANIZATIONS

To apply through Grants.gov, an organization must first complete the Grants.gov registration process. Allow up to 8 weeks for the completion of the Grants.gov registration process.

Registering early is advised.

Foreign organizations doing business outside of the United States are also required to complete the Grants.gov registration process, in addition to fulfilling supplementary requirements for doing business with the U.S. government.

If business is conducted with the federal government on a continuing basis, it is likely that some of the required actions have already been completed. Detailed information, links, automated tools, and checklists are available at https://grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

The following steps are required as part of the Grants.gov registration process:

1. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

The applicant organization must be registered as an entity in SAM (https://www.sam.gov/SAM/) and receive confirmation of an “Active” status before submitting an application through Grants.gov. As of April 2022, all federal awards including but not limited to contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements must use the UEI generated by SAM.gov.

SAM validates organization information and electronically shares the secure and encrypted data with federal agencies’ finance offices to facilitate paperless payments through electronic funds transfer. An organization must identify an Accounts Receivable point of contact (POC), an electronic business (E-Biz) POC, and a government business POC during the SAM registration process. Entity registrations in SAM have an annual expiration. Verify the status of your organization’s Entity registration in SAM well in advance of the application submission deadline. An organization can register in SAM online at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/. If your organization does not have either an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN), allow at least 2 weeks to receive this information from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Allow several weeks to complete the entire SAM registration process. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the federal awarding agency is ready to make a federal award, the federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination to direct the federal award to a qualified applicant.

Additional information and step-by-step registration directions are detailed in the SAM User Guide and other GSA training materials in the Help area at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.

Applications will be rejected by Grants.gov if (1) the organization’s Entity registration in SAM is not active or (2) during the SAM registration process, the organization did not answer “Yes” when asked “Do you want to be eligible for grants and other federal assistance?”

2. Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code

The applicant organization must have a CAGE code. The Defense Logistics Information Service in Battle Creek, Michigan, is the only authorized source of CAGE codes. CAGE codes will be

General Application Instructions 9 assigned to registrants as their SAM registration advances through the validation process.

Foreign registrants in SAM must be assigned a North Atlantic Treaty Organization CAGE code (NCAGE). An NCAGE code can be obtained by contacting the National Codification Bureau of the country where the organization is located or by visiting the website (https://cage.dla.mil/Home/UsageAgree). On average, CAGE code or NCAGE code validation in SAM occurs within 3 business days after the TIN is validated.

3. Authorized Organizational Representative

Each organization must have an AOR who is registered with Grants.gov (individual PIs do not register with Grants.gov). An AOR must be a member of the Grants.gov Workspace grant team as the Business Official authorized to submit the completed Workspace application package. An organization’s E-Biz POC must authorize an AOR. An individual may serve as both the E-Biz POC and the AOR. Before application submission, the AOR must be registered to submit on behalf of the organization at Grants.gov (Organization Registration | GRANTS.GOV).

An AOR must first register with the Grants.gov credential provider at Organization Registration | GRANTS.GOV to obtain a username and password. Once an AOR has completed the Grants.gov registration process, Grants.gov will notify the E-Biz POC of the registration. The E- Biz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and assign and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving the AOR permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. When an E-Biz POC approves an AOR, Grants.gov will send the AOR a confirmation email.

At the time of application submission to Grants.gov, the AOR is certifying to the best of their knowledge that all information provided in the application is current, accurate, and complete.

For applications submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the AOR submitting the application is inserted into the application’s signature line, serving as the electronic signature.

Individuals who make legally binding commitments on behalf of an organization must be authorized as AORs by the E-Biz POC. This step, often overlooked by applicants, is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

4. Grants.gov Workspace

Applicants must create a Grants.gov Workspace, which allows the application components to be completed online and routed through the applicant organization for review prior to submission.

Once the Workspace has been created, participants (grant team members) can be added and the required forms can be completed and reviewed before submitting.

Each application submission must include the completed Grants.gov application package of forms associated with the specific program announcement in Grants.gov (https://grants.gov/).

Applicants who prepare the application outside Workspace must download the individual PDF forms from Grants.gov, complete and save the forms, and upload them to Workspace. A compatible and identical version of Adobe Reader must be used to view, complete, and submit an application package consisting of PDF forms if more than one person accesses the application package. Using different versions of Adobe Reader may cause submission and/or

General Application Instructions 10 save errors – even if each version is individually compatible with Grants.gov. Grants.gov will reject an application package that is opened at any time by an individual with an incompatible version of Adobe Reader. Rejected applications must be resubmitted using a new Grants.gov application package and a supported version of Adobe Reader prior to the application submission deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify their Adobe Reader’s compatibility with Grants.gov: https://grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html. A no-cost compatible version of Adobe Reader can be downloaded at https://get.adobe.com/reader/ otherversions/. All contributors to the application must use matching compatible versions of Adobe software when editing and preparing application components outside Workspace. The use of different software versions will result in corruption of the submitted file.

The DWFP Program cannot make allowances/exceptions to its policies for submission problems encountered by the applicant organization using system-to-system interfaces with Grants.gov.

Any modifications to the Project Narrative or Budget Form require submission of a changed/ corrected Grants.gov application package to Grants.gov prior to the application submission deadline. The Project Narrative and Research & Related Budget Form cannot be modified during the application verification period.

The application submission deadline and the end of the application verification period in eBRAP are stated on the first page of the respective program announcement. See Section III.C, Applicant Verification of Grants.gov Submission in eBRAP, for additional details.

A. Grants.gov Application Package Components

1. SF424 (Research & Related), Application for Federal Assistance Form

All appropriate information must be entered into this form to allow for auto-population of subsequent forms in the Grants.gov application package.

Block 1 – Type of Submission. For original submissions, select the “Application” box.

For changes that must be made after the original submission, the complete Grants.gov application package must be resubmitted with the “Changed/Corrected Application” box selected.

Block 2 – Date Submitted. Enter the date the application is submitted.

Applicant Identifier. Enter the submitting organization’s Control Number, if applicable.

If there is no Organization Control Number, leave this field blank.

Block 3 – Date Received by State and State Application Identifier. Not applicable.

Block 4a – Federal Identifier Box. Enter in the eBRAP log number assigned during pre-application submission.

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Figure 1. Enter the eBRAP log number in Block 4a.

Block 4b – Agency Routing Identifier. Not applicable.

Block 4c – Previous Grants.gov Tracking ID. For changed/correct applications, enter the Grants.gov Tracking Number for the original application.

Block 5 – Applicant Information. Enter the information for the applicant organization.

“Person to be contacted on matters involving this application” is the Business Official.

Block 6 – Employer Identification. Enter the EIN or TIN as assigned by the Internal

Revenue Service. If applying from an organization outside the United States, enter 44-4444444.

Block 7 – Type of Applicant. Enter the information for the applicant organization.

Block 8 – Type of Application. Select “New” for all submissions.

Block 9 – Name of Federal Agency. Populated by Grants.gov.

Block 10 – Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number. Populated by Grants.gov.

Block 11 – Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project. Enter the same project title as used for the pre-application.

Block 12 – Proposed Project. Enter the estimated start and end dates for the project.

Actual start and end dates will be determined during negotiations if the application is recommended for funding.

Block 13 – Congressional District of Applicant. If the applicant organization is outside the United States, enter 00-000.

Block 14 – Project Director/Principal Investigator Contact Information. Enter information for the individual PI responsible for the overall scientific and technical direction of the application. If outside the United States, select the appropriate country from the drop-down menu.

Block 15 – Estimated Project Funding. Enter the total funds (direct + indirect costs) requested for the entire performance period of the project. These figures should match those provided in the Research & Related Budget.

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Block 16 – Is Application Subject to Review by State Executive Order 12372 Process? Select option b., “NO, program is not covered by E.O. 12372.”

Block 17 – Complete Certification. Select the “I agree” box to provide the required certifications and assurances. By checking “I Agree” on the SF424 (R&R) block 17 you agree to abide by the following statement: “By signing this application, I certify the proposing entity is in compliance with Section 223(a) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 which requires that: (a) the PI and other key personnel certify that the current and pending support provided on the proposal is current, accurate and complete; (B) agree to update such disclosure at the request of the agency prior to the award of support and at any subsequent time the agency determines appropriate during the term of the award; and

(c) the PI and other key personnel have been made aware of the requirements under Section 223(a)(1) of this Act. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties.”

(U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001). Checking “I agree” confirms compliance with the National Policy Requirements, Appendix 5.

Block 18 – SFLLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities) or Other Explanatory

Documentation. If applicable, complete and attach Standard Form LLL (SFLLL) to disclose lobbying activities pursuant to Title 31 of United States Code, Section 1352

(31 USC 1352).

Block 19 – Authorized Representative. Enter the contact information for the applicant organization’s authorized representative. The “Signature of Authorized Representative” is automatically completed upon submission of the Grants.gov application package.

Block 20 – Pre-Application. Not applicable.

Block 21 – Cover Letter Attachment. Not applicable.

2. Attachments Form

Grants.gov does not validate for the presence of attachments on the Attachments Form.

Following retrieval and processing of the Grants.gov application, eBRAP will notify the organizational representatives and PI by email to log into eBRAP to view, modify, and verify the Grants.gov application submission. eBRAP will validate retrieved files against the specific program announcement requirements, and discrepancies will be noted in both the email and in the Full Application Files tab. eBRAP does not confirm the accuracy of file content. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review all application components and ensure proper ordering as

If a revised Project Narrative or Research & Related Budget Form document is needed, an updated Grants.gov application package must be submitted via Grants.gov as a “Changed/Corrected Application” with the previous Grants.gov Tracking ID found in Block 4.c. of the SF424 Research & Related Form prior to the full application submission deadline.

General Application Instructions 13 specified in the program announcement. See Section III.C, Applicant Verification of Grants.gov Submission in eBRAP, for additional details.

Each attachment in the Attachments Form must be uploaded as an individual PDF file in accordance with the formatting guidelines listed in Appendix 4. For all attachments, ensure that the file names are consistent with the guidance listed in the program announcement and below.

Grants.gov will reject attachments with file names longer than 50 characters or incompatible file names that contain characters other than the following: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore, hyphen, space, and period. In addition, Grants.gov has file size limits that may apply in some circumstances.

Individual attachments may not exceed 20 megabytes (MB), and the file size for the entire Grants.gov application package may not exceed 200 MB. Applicants must contact the Grants.gov Contact Center (support@grants.gov) for written confirmation that a file exceeding the maximum size will be accepted.

For specific instructions regarding content and page limits of the Project Narrative, Supporting Documentation, and all other attachments to this Grants.gov form, refer to the program announcement.

All documents that require signatures must be signed. Both electronic and hand signatures will be accepted. Any document that is signed by hand should be scanned at a resolution of 100-150 dots per inch (dpi).

The following must be included as attachments:

Attachment 1: Project Narrative: Attach as a PDF file named “ProjectNarrative.pdf”.

The Project Narrative is the main body of the application. The page limit of the Project Narrative applies to text and non-text elements (e.g., figures, tables, graphs, photographs, diagrams, chemical structures, drawings) used to describe the project. Inclusion of URLs (uniform resource locators, i.e. web addresses) that provide additional information to expand the Project Narrative and could confer an unfair competitive advantage is prohibited and may result in administrative withdrawal of the application.

Submission of a Project Narrative that exceeds the 12-page limit will result in administrative rejection of the application.

Attachment 2: Supporting Documentation: Combine and attach as a single PDF file named “Support.pdf”. Include only supporting documentation required by the program announcement. Start each document on a new page. If documents are scanned to PDF, the lowest resolution (100 to 150 dpi) should be used. The Supporting Documentation attachment should not include additional information such as figures, tables, graphs, photographs, diagrams, chemical structures, or drawings.

Submitting material that is not requested may be viewed as an attempt to gain an unfair competitive advantage; such material will be removed or the application may be administratively withdrawn. All applications are provided fair and thorough reviews.

Letters of support not requested in the program announcement, such as those from members of Congress, will be removed from the application package.

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For a list and descriptions of required supporting documents, refer to the program announcement.

Attachment 3: Technical Abstract: Attach as a PDF file named “TechAbs.pdf”.

Abstracts of all funded research projects will be posted publicly on the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) website at https://discover.dtic.mil/ for public viewing. Do not include proprietary or confidential information. Use only characters available on a standard QWERTY keyboard. Spell out all Greek letters, other non- English letters, and symbols.

Graphics are not allowed.

Attachment 4: Statement of Work (SOW): Attach as a PDF file named “SOW.pdf”.

The SOW is an outline of specific aims of the proposed research project that establishes the project milestones during the performance period of the award. The SOW should contain sufficient detail to be informative as a stand-alone document. There is no limit to the number of specific aims, tasks, or subtasks that are described within the SOW page limit.

For specific instructions regarding SOW content, refer to the program announcement.

SOW Format: PIs are strongly encouraged to use the suggested SOW format stated in the program announcement. Templates for SOW formats are available on the eBRAP “Program Announcement & Forms” page (https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm). The SOW must be in PDF format prior to attaching.

Attachment 5: Study Personnel and Organization: Attach as a PDF file named “Personnel.pdf”. For specific instructions regarding content, refer to the program announcement. This file is limited to one page.

Attachment 6: Transition Plan: Upload as a PDF file named “Transition.pdf”. Include the methods and strategies proposed to move the intervention to the next phase of development (e.g., EPA registration, commercialization, and/or delivery to the civilian or military market) after successful completion of the award. For additional instructions regarding content, refer to the program announcement. This file is limited to three pages.

Attachment 7 (if applicable): U s e “ Suggested Collaborating DOD Military Facility Budget Format”: Upload as “MFBudget.pdf”. This is only used when a military (DOD) facility will be a collaborator in the performance of the project. Download the file “ Suggested Collaborating DOD Military Facility Budget Format” on the eBRAP “Funding Opportunities & Forms” web page (https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm). Include a budget justification for each military facility. Refer to Section III.A.8, for detailed information.

For non-DOD collaborators (if applicable), please see Section III.A.7 with instructions for submitting the “Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form.

3. Research & Related Personal Data

This form will be used by DOD as the source of demographic information, such as gender, race, ethnicity, and disability information, for the Project Director (PD)/PI and all other persons identified as Co-PD(s)/Co-PI(s).

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Each application must include this form with the name fields of the PD/PI and any Co-PD(s)/ Co-PI(s) completed; however, provision of the demographic information in the form is voluntary. If completing the form for multiple individuals, each Co-PD/Co-PI can be added by selecting the “Next Person” button. The demographic information, if provided, will be used for statistical purposes only and will not be made available to reviewers. Applicants who do not wish to provide some or all of the information should check or select the “Do not wish to provide” option.

4. Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded)

The Degree Type and Degree Year fields on the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form will be used by DOD as the source for career information. In addition to the required fields on the form, applicants must complete these two fields for all individuals that are identified as having the project role of PD/PI or Co-PD/Co-PI on the form. Additional senior/ key persons can be added by selecting the “Next Person” button.

Include the requested information for each person who will contribute significantly to the proposed research project.

In the “PROFILE – Project Director/Principal Investigator” section, enter the PI’s User Name provided by eBRAP into the data field labeled “Credential, e.g., agency login” (Figure 2).

Figure 2. PI’s eBRAP User Name

Biographical Sketch Suggested Format: The suggested biographical sketch format is available in a Microsoft Word document on the “Funding Opportunities & Forms” web page (https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm) in eBRAP. Use of this document is optional.

The NIH Biographical Sketch may also be used. Each biographical sketch must be in PDF format prior to attachment. Page limitations will be specified in the program announcement.

PI Biographical Sketch: This file must be titled “Biosketch_LastName.pdf” where

“LastName” is the last name of the PI.

PI Previous/Current/Pending Support: This file must be titled “Support_LastName.pdf” where “LastName” is the last name of the PI.

General Application Instructions 16

For all previous (award period of performance ending within the past 5 years), current, and pending (includes period of time awaiting funding status and/or period of time awaiting start date) research support, include the title, time commitments, supporting agency, name and address of the funding agency’s procuring Contracting/Grants Officer, performance period, level of funding, brief description of the project’s goals, and list of the specific aims. If applicable, identify where the proposed project overlaps with other existing and pending research projects. Clearly state if there is no overlap.

List all positions and scientific appointments, both domestic and foreign, held by senior/key personnel that are relevant to an application, including affiliations with foreign entities or governments. This includes titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments whether or not remuneration is received, and whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary (including adjunct, visiting, or honorary).

Report all resources and other support for all individuals designated in an application as senior/key personnel – including for the PI and for other individuals who contribute to the scientific development or execution of a project in a substantive, measurable way, whether or not they request salaries or compensation. Information must be provided about all current support for ongoing projects, whether such support is provided through the applicant organization, through another domestic or foreign organization, or is directly provided to an individual who supports the senior/key personnel’s research efforts.

Report all current projects and activities that involve senior/key personnel, even if the support received is only in-kind (e.g., office/laboratory space, equipment, supplies, employees). All research resources including, but not limited to, foreign financial support, research or laboratory personnel, lab space, scientific materials, selection to a foreign “talents” or similar-type program, or other foreign or domestic support must be reported.

Consistent with National Security Presidential Memoranda-33, individuals are required to disclose grants and contracts associated with participation in programs sponsored by foreign governments, instrumentalities, or entities, including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs. Further, if individuals receive direct or indirect support that is funded by a foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program, even where the support is provided through an intermediary and does not require membership in the foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program, that support must be disclosed. Individuals must also report other foreign government sponsored or affiliated activity. Foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program” is defined as an effort organized, managed, or funded by a foreign government, or a foreign government instrumentality or entity, to recruit science and technology professionals or students (regardless of citizenship or national origin, or whether having a full-time or part-time position).

Provide the total award amount for the entire award period covered (including facilities and administrative costs), as well as the number of person-months (or partial person-months) per year to be devoted to the project by the senior/key personnel involved.

General Application Instructions 17

If there is no previous, current, or pending support, enter “None.” An updated previous, current, and pending support document will be required if an award is recommended for funding.

Key Personnel Biographical Sketches: Each file must be titled

“Biosketch_LastName.pdf” where “LastName” is the last name of the respective individual.

Key Personnel Previous/Current/Pending Support: Each file must be titled

“Support_LastName.pdf” where “LastName” is the last name of the respective individual. Refer to content requirements under “PI Previous/Current/Pending Support” listed above.

Note: Other support includes all resources made available to a researcher in support of and/or related to all of their research endeavors, regardless of monetary value and/or where they are based. This includes resource and/or financial support from all foreign and domestic entities, including but not limited to, financial support for laboratory personnel, and provision of high-value materials that are not freely available (biologics, chemical, model systems, technology, etc.).

Certification Regarding Disclosure of Funding Sources. The proposing entity must comply with Section 223(a) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which requires that the PI, Partnering PIs (if applicable), and all key personnel:

Certify that the current and pending support provided on the application is current, accurate, and complete;

Agree to update such disclosure at the request of the agency prior to the award of support and at any subsequent time the agency determines appropriate during the term of the award; and

Have been made aware of the requirements under Section 223(a)(1) of this Act.

False, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may result in criminal, civil, or administrative penalties (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001).

5. Research & Related Budget

An estimate of the total proposed research project cost, with a breakdown of all cost categories for each year, must be submitted on the Grants.gov Research & Related Budget Form. For limits on funding amounts, types of costs, and period of performance, refer to the program announcement. The budget and budget justification should include sufficient detail for the government to determine whether the proposed costs are allowable, allocable, and reasonable for the proposed research. The budget justification for the entire period of performance must be uploaded to the Research & Related Budget after completion of the budget for Period 1. At the time of application submission to Grants.gov, the AOR is certifying to the best of their knowledge that all costs are current, accurate, and complete.

General Application Instructions 18

If the budget fails eBRAP validation or needs to be modified, an updated Grants.gov application package must be submitted via Grants.gov as a “Changed/Corrected Application” with the previous Grants.gov Tracking ID prior to the application submission deadline.

No budget will be approved by the government exceeding the cost limit stated in the specific program announcement or using an indirect rate exceeding the organization’s negotiated rate.

Budget Regulations and Restrictions:

Administrative and Cost Principles: Recipients will be required to comply with the following, as applicable:

○ Code of Federal Regulations, Title 2, Part 200, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards” (2 CFR 200), as implemented by Chapter XI of Title 2 CFR

○ Provisions of Chapter I, Subchapter C of Title 32, CFR, “DOD Grant and Agreement Regulations,” Parts 26, 28, 34, 37, and Title 2, CFR Part 1125

○ Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31

Pre-Award Costs: An institution of higher education, hospital, other non-profit, or for-profit organization may, at its own risk and without the government’s prior approval, incur obligations and expenditures to cover costs up to 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new award if such costs (1) are necessary to conduct the project and (2) would be allowable under the award, if awarded. If specific expenditures would otherwise require prior approval, the recipient must obtain the Grants Officer’s approval before incurring the cost. Government prior approval is required for any costs to be incurred more than 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new award.

The incurrence of pre-award costs in anticipation of an award imposes no obligation on the government either to make the award or to increase the amount of the approved budget if an award is made for less than the amount anticipated and is inadequate to cover the pre-award costs incurred or in the absence of appropriations. The government expects the recipient to be fully aware that pre-award costs result in borrowing against future support and that such borrowing must not impair the organization’s ability to accomplish the project objectives within the approved timeframe or in any way adversely affect the conduct of the project.

Cost of Preparing Applications: The cost of preparing applications in response to a program announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resultant award. However, the cost of preparing applications may be an allowable cost that can be included in the indirect/facilities and administrative cost as specified in the organization’s applicable cost principles.

Currency: All costs must be entered in U.S. dollars. Recipients performing research outside of the United States should include the cost in local currency, the rate used for converting to U.S. dollars, and justification/basis for the conversion rate used. Foreign currency exchange rates for recipients performing research outside of the United States

General Application Instructions 19 will be determined at the time of application submission.

Submit a detailed budget and justification that covers the entire period of performance (not just the first year). The government reserves the right to request a revised budget and budget justification and/or additional information.

Budget Instructions: Complete the Research & Related Budget Form following the instructions below. Begin by entering the organizational UEI number, Budget Type, Name of Organization, and anticipated start and end dates. Ensure that the UEI number is entered accurately or Grants.gov will reject the application.

For all federal agencies or organizations collaborating with federal agencies applying to the program announcement, special restrictions apply to the budget and are described below.

For Federal Agencies: An application from a federal agency must include in the budget justification a Federal Financial Plan (Plan). The Plan must address how all funds will be obligated before their period for obligation expires and how funds will be available to cover research costs over the entire award period. The Plan must include the funding mechanism(s) that will be used to carry over funds between fiscal years.

For Collaborating Military Facilities: An application from an organization that includes collaboration with a DOD agency or other DOD facility must submit a DOD Military Budget as instructed in Section 8, Suggested Collaborating DOD Military Facility Budget Format, below. The costs per year should be included on the Grants.gov Research & Related Budget form under subaward costs.

Section A: Senior/Key Person

Prefix; First, Middle, and Last Name; and Suffix: Beginning with the PI, list all senior/key persons from the applicant organization who will be involved in the proposed research project, whether or not salaries are requested. Include all investigators, research associates, etc. If applicable, all investigators outside the applicant organization should be included on the Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form.

Consultant costs should be listed under Section F.3 of the Research & Related Budget Form (Other Direct Costs, Consultant Services).

Base Salary: Enter the current annual base salary (based on a full-time appointment) for each individual listed for the proposed research project.