U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Office of Research Integrity

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Ensuring Research Integrity – Conferences and Workshops Program (CWP)

Opportunity Number

IR-ORI-26-002

Application Due Date

7/27/2026 at 6:00 PM Eastern

Technical Assistance Webinar Date

7/13/2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern

Table of Contents

SUMMARY _________________________________________________________________ 1

A. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION _______________________________________________ 1

1. Eligible Applicants ________________________________________________________ 1

B. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION _________________________________________________ 4

1. Expectations for Recipients ________________________________________________ 5

2. Federal Involvement in the Project ____________________________________________ 8

3. Eligibility criteria for project participants _______________________________________ 8

C. AWARD INFORMATION ___________________________________________________ 8

D. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT ___________________________________ 9

1.Format of the Application ___________________________________________________ 9

2. Content ________________________________________________________________ 12

E. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DATES ________________________________ 22

1. Obtaining an Application Package ___________________________________________ 22

2. Required Registrations ____________________________________________________ 22

3. Submission Instructions ___________________________________________________ 24

4. Other Submission Requirements _____________________________________________ 27

F. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION ____________________________________ 28

1. Responsiveness Review ___________________________________________________ 30

2. Merit Review Criteria _____________________________________________________ 31

3. Merit Review and Selection Process __________________________________________ 33

4. Review of Risk Posed by Applicant __________________________________________ 34

G. AWARD NOTICES ________________________________________________________ 35

H. AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION __________________________ 36

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements ______________________________ 36

2. Program Specific Terms and Conditions ______________________________________ 37

3. Award Closeout __________________________________________________________ 37

4. Lobbying Prohibitions _____________________________________________________ 38

5. Non-Discrimination Requirements __________________________________________ 38

6. Smoke- and Tobacco-free Workplace _________________________________________ 38

7. Acknowledgement of Funding ______________________________________________ 38

8. HHS Rights to Materials and Data ___________________________________________ 39

9. Trafficking in Persons _____________________________________________________ 39

10. Efficient Spending _______________________________________________________ 39

11. Whistleblower Protection _________________________________________________ 39

12. Health Information Technology (IT) Interoperability ___________________________ 40

13. Certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment ___________ 40

14. Human Subjects Protection ________________________________________________ 41

15. Research Integrity _______________________________________________________ 41

16. Reporting ______________________________________________________________ 41

I. CONTACTS ______________________________________________________________ 44

J. OTHER INFORMATION ____________________________________________________ 45

1. Application Checklist _____________________________________________________ 45

2. Acronyms ______________________________________________________________ 46

3. Glossary ________________________________________________________________ 47

4. Object Class Descriptions and Required Justifications ____________________________ 47

5. Considerations in Recipient Plans for Oversight of Federal Funds __________________ 53

6. Financial Assistance General Certifications and Representations ___________________ 54

BASIC INFORMATION

Opportunity Title

Ensuring Research Integrity - Conferences and Workshops Program (CWP)

Program Office

Office of Research Integrity Application Submission and Format

Electronic application submitted via Grants.gov

ONLY. Opportunity Number

IR-ORI-26-002

Award Type

Grant

Application Deadline

7/27/2026 06:00 PM Eastern

Announcement Type

Initial

Technical Assistance Webinar Date

7/13/2026 01:00 PM Eastern

Assistance Listing

93.085

Technical Assistance Webinar Details https://www.ori.hhs.gov

Eligible Applicants (see Section A.1 for full details)

Executive Order 12372 does apply to this NOFO (see section E.3.D)

Estimated Total Funding

Available

$100,000

Estimated Period of Performance (months)

Estimated Number of Awards

Anticipated Award Date

09/30/2026

Anticipated Award Funding

Range

$25,000 to $50,000 per budget period

Anticipated Project Start Date

09/30/2026

QUESTIONS?

Additional contact information in Section G

SUMMARY

The Office of Research Integrity announces the anticipated availability of funds for Fiscal

Year (FY) 2026 grants under the authority of 42 U.S.C. § 241 (Section 301 of the Public

Health Service Act).

This notice solicits applications for projects to plan and implement conferences on research integrity and compliance with 42 C.F.R. part 93. In-person and virtual conferences, or a combination of both, will be considered for funding. This initiative advances Administration priorities to strengthen scientific integrity and research integrity and promote principles of gold standard science – including transparency, reproducibility, and scientific rigor. Conferences must be designed to provide a forum for discussion and produce tangible outcomes related to at least one of the following focus areas: 1) Organization of thematic conference; 2) Skill Building

Workshops; and/or 3) Outreach and Education Events.

Through these conferences and workshops, the program aims to support the dissemination of evidence-based practices, tools, and approaches that enhance credibility, transparency, and responsible conduct of research and can be applied across institutions and the broader research community.

We anticipate up to two one-year awards of between $25,000 and $50,000 in total costs (direct plus indirect). The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) encourages all applicants to review all program requirements, eligibility information, application format and submission information, evaluation criteria, and other information in this funding announcement to ensure that their applications comply with all requirements and instructions.

The Office of Research Integrity encourages applicants to review all program requirements, eligibility information, application format and submission information, evaluation criteria, and other information in this funding announcement to ensure that their application complies with all requirements and instructions.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) Grants and Acquisitions Management

Division (GAM) will administer this competition.

We encourage you to review all program requirements, eligibility information, application format and submission instructions, and other content of this notice to ensure your application complies with all requirements.

A. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

You must meet all of the eligibility requirements in order for us to review your application.

a. Eligible Entities

Public or nonprofit universities, hospitals, laboratories, and other institutions are eligible to apply for an award under this announcement.

Faith-based organizations and community-based organizations are eligible to apply.

American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander organizations are eligible to apply.

Additional examples of eligible entities include:

• State governments

• County governments

• City or township governments

• Special district governments

• Independent school districts

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities

• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

• Private institutions of higher education

• For profit organizations other than small businesses

• Small businesses

b. PD/PI Eligibility

There is no restriction on an individual’s eligibility to be Project Director (PD)/Principal

Investigator (PI) on an application. However, we will not make an award with a PD/PI who has an active government-wide exclusion, suspension, or debarment recorded in SAM.gov.

We expect that throughout the period of performance the PD/PI will be involved in, and have substantial knowledge about, all aspects of the project. Although your organization may recognize co-PD/PIs on team-managed projects, we recognize only a single PD/PI who will be responsible for the programmatic aspects of the project.

c. Other Considerations

Submitting Multiple Applications

You may submit more than one application, but each application must be for a distinctly different project.

If you submit multiple applications for the same project, we will accept only the last application submitted a Grants.gov timestamp that is before the due date and time. We will disqualify all other versions of the application. See Section F.1.b for all disqualification factors.

Submitting an Application as a Group or Consortium

For any given project, we will only make an award to a single eligible entity. More than one entity may choose to work together on a project under this opportunity, but only one entity may submit the application. If awarded, that entity will be the award recipient and will be responsible for conducting the project.

The other entities may participate in the project, if awarded, and would be responsible to the recipient for their respective roles, typically as subrecipients.

Groups may form a consortium, partnership, or other legally recognized entity for the purpose of applying for this opportunity and carrying out any awarded project. The resulting entity must exist and be legally recognized when it applies and must have an active registration in SAM.gov.

We will conduct a risk assessment on the applying entity (Section F.4) prior to making any award.

Eligibility Documentation

We do not require you to submit documentation of your eligibility (e.g., proof of 501(c)(3) status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service or an authorizing tribal resolution) when you submit your application. It is important that your organization is correctly classified in your

SAM registration (Section E.2.a).

During our review of your application, we might request additional documentation to support your eligibility. This request means only that your application is under review and not that you will receive an award.

More specific information on the type of documentation that we might request specific to this opportunity appears in Section E.4.b.

Application Disqualification

We will disqualify applications that fail to meet the eligibility, responsiveness, formatting, and submission requirements (Sections F.1.b) prior to conducting merit review. Disqualified applications will not undergo further review.

We will notify disqualified applicants at the end of the competition when we announce the award recipients.

2. Application Responsiveness Criteria

We will review your application to determine whether it meets the responsiveness criteria below.

If your application does not meet the responsiveness criteria, we will disqualify it from the competition; we will not review it beyond the initial screening.

The responsiveness criteria are as follows:

A. Specify which focus area the conference will address outlined in section B.1.

B. Describe how the proposed conference, workshop, or event advances Administration priorities by strengthening scientific integrity and research integrity, reducing administrative burden, and upholding the gold standard of science, including transparency, reproducibility, and scientific rigor, and how these elements are reflected in the design, content, or intended outcomes of the activity.

3. Cost Sharing or Matching

You are not required to provide cost sharing or matching in your proposed budget.

B. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), The Office of Research

Integrity (ORI) announces the anticipated availability of funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 grants under the authority of 42 U.S.C. § 241 (Section 301 of the Public Health Service

Act).

The primary focus of OASH is to lead Americans toward healthier lives by promoting health and well-being across the lifespan. Grants funded through this NOFO will advance

Administration priorities by strengthening scientific integrity and research integrity and promote principles of gold standard science – including transparency, data reproducibility, and scientific rigor. Through this program, federal funding will support conferences, workshops and related events that convene stakeholders to share knowledge, identify effective practices, and develop actionable approaches to promote the responsible conduct of research and prevent research misconduct. Award recipients will be expected to platform rigorous, unbiased methodologies; convene interdisciplinary expertise; and promote evidence that informs policies, practices, and systems that enhance research integrity. These efforts will support the development and dissemination of evidence-based approaches that reinforce accountability, improve the reliability of research findings, and promote excellence across the scientific enterprise.

Institutions applying for or receiving Public Health Service (PHS) support for biomedical or behavioral research, biomedical or behavioral research training, or activities related to that research or research training are required to “[f]oster a research environment that promotes research integrity and the responsible conduct of research, discourages research misconduct, and deals promptly with allegations or evidence of possible research misconduct.” 42 C.F.R.

§ 93.300(c). Core to ORI’s mission is the support of education and outreach activities that aid

PHS-funded research institutions in their efforts “to teach the responsible conduct of research, promote research integrity, prevent research misconduct, and… respond effectively to allegations of research misconduct.” (65 Fed. Reg. 30,600, 30,601 (May 12, 2000)).

Background

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide assistance for those concerned with research integrity to meet to discuss theoretical, empirical, research design, educational, legal, procedural, ethical, and other aspects related to promoting the responsible conduct of research, preventing research misconduct, and/or addressing issues that arise after an allegation of research misconduct is brought forward at an institution. This funding opportunity also encourages proposals that examine and propose solutions to over‑compliance and unnecessary administrative burdens in research integrity activities.

For the purposes of this announcement, a conference is defined as a meeting, retreat, seminar, symposium, workshop, or event whose primary purpose is the dissemination of technical information beyond the recipient. Per 2 C.F.R. § 200.432, “[c]onference hosts/sponsors must exercise discretion and judgment in ensuring that conference costs are appropriate, necessary and managed to minimize costs to the Federal award.” Applicants may seek additional sources of funding and institutional support to fund the proposed conference. Proposed conferences should be substantially distinct from and not duplicate existing ORI activities.

This funding opportunity does not support projects with the primary purpose of developing, implementing, and/or running courses that require matriculation or employment at a specific institution or organization.

1. Expectations for Recipients

Required Alignment with OASH Mission and Agency Priorities

The recipients of this award must implement any funds awarded under this NOFO to effectuate program goals and agency priorities in accordance with the Priorities of the Office of the

Assistant Secretary for Health (available online at: https://health.gov/priorities), and when authorized by law according to the Office of Research Integrity statute, regulations, legislative mandates, and additional program guidance. Funded activities must advance and support OASH’s mission to improve the health and well-being of Americans.

In addition, the recipient is required to administer any project that is awarded under this NOFO in accordance with the following objectives in the Conferences and Workshops program that are authorized to advance them:

1) Organization of thematic conferences:

• Hosting events that bring together interdisciplinary experts to address specific challenges in research integrity, such as data sharing, data management/data retention, or examining how artificial intelligence (AI) acts as a potential driver of research integrity or a risk factor for research misconduct

• Workshops focusing on the development of international standards for research integrity.

• Workshops that consider current regulatory or reporting requirements that create redundant workload and are outdated for current scientific practice and outline measurable strategies to modernize or streamline those processes without compromising scientific integrity.

2) Skill-Building Workshops:

• Conducting hands-on workshops where participants can learn about and practice implementing new tools or strategies to promote integrity in research

• Training sessions for research integrity officers on handling allegations of https://health.gov/priorities research misconduct in accordance with 42 C.F.R. Part 93

• Workshops for institutional officials involved in writing implementing policies and procedures for handling allegations of research misconduct.

3) Outreach and Education Events:

• Public symposia aimed at engaging the wider community in discussions about the importance of research integrity

• Public forum where researchers are given a platform to discuss the potential drivers that influence research misconduct

• Webinar series featuring leading experts discussing recent developments and emerging issues in the field of research integrity.

Applicants should propose conferences designed to produce measurable outcomes, such as demonstrated retention of knowledge, sharing of knowledge gained, and/or change in practice. We expect recipients to disseminate materials and key knowledge resulting from the conference or workshop.

In addressing these focus areas, we encourage conferences that are designed to bring together experts from diverse areas of research, education, administration, law, and government to present research findings, discuss effective tools/programs/approaches, or facilitate discussions that lead to the development or implementation of new tools/programs/approaches to help prevent research misconduct and promote research integrity. We also encourage projects that include individuals actively engaged in or training for careers in research, and whenever practicable, take place in research settings. Illustrative examples of conference topics that may encompass these themes and participants are included below. The list is not exhaustive nor is it presented in order of importance.

• Identifying effective practices for the research integrity community to implement during various stages of institutional research misconduct proceedings (e.g., sequester evidence; prepare for and conduct interviews; define scope of the research record pertinent to the allegation; determine the quality/reliability of evidence; remediate/protect the research record; and protect whistleblowers and prevent retaliation at an institutional level).

• Convening experts from diverse disciplines who can apply innovative, established, emerging, or promising models to develop interventions to prevent, deter, or address issues related to research misconduct or detrimental research practices. Collaboration with academic societies and associations and other national public and private organizations is encouraged, particularly when doing so will enhance outcomes or impact

(e.g., amplify dissemination or diffusion, build coalitions). This could include efforts to modernize and streamline research integrity efforts that reduce administrative burden in science.

• Developing networks to enable institutions to share and leverage knowledge and resources for handling allegations of research misconduct, addressing detrimental research practices, or promoting the responsible conduct of research.

• Developing and proposing strategies, approaches, and recommendations for implementation of programs designed to facilitate compliance with federal and institutional requirements for promoting an environment that fosters research integrity and the responsible conduct of research.

The recipients must demonstrate ongoing compliance with these priorities, in all programs that are authorized to advance them, through program design, implementation, reporting, and evaluation. Failure to meaningfully align funded activities with the applicable requirements may result in corrective action, additional reporting requirements, or other actions consistent with federal grant regulations found at 2 C.F.R. Part 200 and the terms and conditions of this award (including termination pursuant to 2 C.F.R. 200.340(a)(4) for no longer effectuating program goals or agency priorities).

Goals and Objectives for this Opportunity

Goals for this project include, but are not limited to:

1) Organization of thematic conferences

2) Skill-Building Workshops

3) Outreach and Education Events

Expected Performance Goals and Outcomes for Funded Projects

Award recipients under this announcement should meet each of the below expectations in the execution of their funded project.

A. Plan and implement a conference

We expect recipients to plan and implement a conference that provides a forum for discussion of and produces tangible, measurable outcomes related to at least one of the following focus areas:

1. Organization of thematic conferences:

1. hosting events that bring together interdisciplinary experts to address specific challenges in research integrity, such as data sharing, data management/data retention, or examining how artificial intelligence

(AI) acts as a potential driver of research integrity or a risk factor for research misconduct;

2. workshops focusing on the development of international standards for research integrity;

3. workshops focusing on recommendations to reduce administrative burden in research integrity;

4. other topics linked to research integrity and compliance with 42 C.F.R. Part

93.

2. Skill Building Workshops:

1. Conducting hands-on workshops where participants can learn about and practice implementing new tools or strategies to promote integrity in research

2. Training sessions for research integrity officers on handling allegations of research misconduct in accordance with 42 C.F.R.

Part 93

3. Workshops for institutional officials involved in writing implementing policies and procedures for handling allegations of research misconduct.

3. Outreach and Education Events:

1. Public symposia aimed at engaging the wider community in discussions about the importance of research integrity

2. Public forum where researchers are given a platform to discuss the potential drivers that influence research misconduct

3. Webinar series featuring leading experts discussing recent developments and emerging issues in the field of research integrity.

B. Assess conference outcomes

We expect recipients to develop and implement a comprehensive evaluation strategy to assess conference outcomes. Recipients may assess outcomes through post-event evaluation data or other appropriate means.

C. Disseminate knowledge and materials resulting from the conference

We expect recipients to develop and implement a comprehensive, time-framed dissemination plan to ensure that materials, products, and knowledge generated through the conference will be disseminated beyond the participants attending the event. Recipients should articulate, in the dissemination plan, the specific approaches they will use to amplify the reach, and ultimately the diffusion, of key points and materials that emerge from the conference.

Although publications in peer-reviewed journals are encouraged, recipients should work to achieve broad, multichannel, nationwide dissemination of materials and key points resulting from the conference. Where relevant, recipients should develop materials that are culturally and linguistically appropriate.

2. Federal Involvement in the Project

If you receive an award, we will encourage you to seek the advice and opinion of federal staff when problems arise. However, you would be responsible for making sound programmatic and administrative judgments. The responsibility for operating decisions will be yours and does not shift to HHS, OASH, or The Office of Research Integrity.

Under a grant, the program office’s involvement may include routine monitoring and technical assistance such as monthly conference calls, occasional site visits, ongoing review of plans and progress, participation in relevant meetings, provision of training and technical assistance.

3. Eligibility criteria for project participants

You must not restrict participation in the project on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, or another protected characteristic (See Section H.5).

C. AWARD INFORMATION

Budget period(s)

We expect to fund awards in 12-month budget periods for a total period of performance up to 12 months. However, we may approve shorter periods of performance. Budget periods may vary from the estimated 12 months because of the timing of award issuance or other administrative factors.

For multi-year projects, recipients must submit a non-competing continuation (NCC) application for each budget period after the first. We will provide guidance generally 3 months prior to the end of the active budget period. Continuation funding is contingent upon the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the project, appropriate stewardship of federal funds, and the best interests of the government. Funding for all approved budget periods after the first is generally the same as the initial award amount and may be subject to any offset with funds unused in a previous budget period.

D. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

1.Format of the Application

You must prepare your application using the forms and information described in this NOFO.

The official online application package on Grants.gov contains all necessary forms and guidance for preparing an application. This package includes but is not limited to:

• Full Text of the NOFO

• Standard forms (required) and their instructions o SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance o SF-424A Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs o SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities o Project Abstract Summary

• Sample templates, if available.

In addition to the four standard forms in the application package, your application will consist of

3 sections of materials you prepare:

1. Project Narrative

2. Appendices to the Project Narrative

3. Budget Package.

We strongly encourage you to read all instructions for the application format and content to avoid disqualification of your application. An application checklist is available in Section J.1.

a. Project Narrative – Formatting

Following the formatting instructions below will help ensure that your application is readable for review process. Acceptable electronic file formats are in Section E.3.a.

Names of Individuals

We encourage you to use individuals’ full names (first, middle, last) on the standard forms and any other documents such as résumés/curricula vitae/biographical sketches to distinguish them for verification in the SAM exclusion records. Delays may result in award processing if full names are not provided.

You should avoid submitting personally identifiable information such as personal contact information (e.g., home address and telephone number) on résumés/curricula vitae/biographical sketches. Do not submit social security numbers.

If you receive an award, only one Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) will be named on the award documents. (Section A.1.b) Avoid using a placeholder or honorary

PD/PI. If you have not hired an individual to be the PD/PI, you should name an interim

PD/PI, and your application should clearly identify that person as such.

We typically expect the PD/PI to be named on the SF-424 in box 8.f. Avoid naming grant writers in box 8.f unless they have the expertise to respond to technical questions about the proposed project in a timely manner.

Identify other personnel who are essential or key to the execution of the proposed project clearly in your project narrative.

If you receive an award, a request for a change in PD/PI or key personnel under any circumstance requires prior approval of the grants management officer before becoming effective. We may disallow any costs incurred as a result of that change prior to our approval. See Section H.1.c.

Page Formatting

If you submit documents that do not conform to the following instructions, GAM will disqualify your application during the review process (SectionF.1.b).

Use an easily readable typeface, such as Times New Roman or Arial.

Use a 12-point font.

Use an 8.5” X 11” page size. Any other size page (e.g., A4, legal) will disqualify your application.

Use 1” margins on all sides (top, bottom, left and right).

You must double-space the Project Narrative pages or we will disqualify your application. You may single-space tables or use alternate fonts, but you must ensure the tables are easy to read.

Do not number pages or include a table of contents. Our grants management system will generate page numbers once your application is complete.

You must submit your application in the English language and in terms of U.S. dollars (2

C.F.R. § 200.111(a)).

Page Limits https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.111#p-200.111(a) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.111#p-200.111(a)

Your project narrative and appendices must adhere to these page limits.

The page limits do not include the budget package (Section D.2.c)

The page limits do not include the required forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-LLL, and the

Project Abstract Summary)

If your application exceeds the specified page limits when printed on 8.5” X 11” page, we will not review your application further.

We encourage you to print out your application before submitting it to ensure that it is within the page limits and is easy to read. Do not reduce pages to fit multiple pages on a single sheet to avoid exceeding the page limitation.

Do not hyperlink to documents or sites outside of your application to augment your application. Reviewers will not be permitted to follow links to external content during their assessment of your application. The one exception to this is a link to your internal controls as part of your budget package (Section D.2.c.3).

Page Limit

Project Narrative 18

Project Narrative plus Appendices 60

Labeling Proprietary Information

Proprietary information includes patentable ideas, trade secrets, privileged or confidential commercial or financial information, the disclosure of which may harm the applicant.

You should include proprietary information in your application only to the extent that it is essential to the reviewers’ understanding of the project. Proprietary information should not appear in your Project Abstract Summary.

If your application contains proprietary information, you should clearly label the top of the first page of the project narrative. For example, Contains proprietary or confidential information that [Your Organization Name] requests not be released to persons outside the government, except for purposes of review and evaluation.

Awarded applications are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act

(FOIA) with redactions as the FOIA statute permits.

b. Appendices to the Project Narrative – Formatting

Your appendices should include any specific items outlined in Section D.2.b. Your documents should be easy to read.

You should use the same formatting specified for the Project Narrative. However, documents such as résumés/curricula vitae/biographical sketches, organizational charts, tables, Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) or Letters of Commitment (LOCs) may have formatting common to those documents, so long as the pages are easy to read. For example, resumes, MOAs and LOCs may be single-spaced.

You must upload all of your appendices as a single, consolidated file in the Attachments section of your Grants.gov application. You must use an acceptable file format (Section E.3.a). We strongly encourage you to convert your file(s) to PDF format before uploading and review them to ensure accurate conversion.

Your Project Narrative plus the Appendices may not exceed the total number of pages for the application (Section D.1.a).

c. Budget Package - Formatting

The budget narrative should use the formatting required of the project narrative for the explanatory text. Budget tables may be single-spaced but should be laid out in an easily readable format and within the printable margins of an 8.5” x 11” page. You must use an acceptable file format (Section E.3.a). We do not accept Excel or other similar spreadsheet formats.

The application page limit does not include the SF-424A or the budget narrative (including budget tables).

We recommend you present budget amounts and computations in a columnar format: first column, object class categories; second column, federal funds requested; third column, non-federal resources; and last column, total budget.

Object Class Federal Funds

Requested

Non-Federal

Resources Total Budget

Personnel $100,000 $25,000 $125,000

2. Content

a. Project Narrative - Content

The Project Narrative is the most important part of your application. We will use it as the primary basis to determine whether your project merits an award. The project narrative should provide a clear and concise description of your project. We recommend that your project narrative include the following components with the requested information. Labeling the sections accordingly will help the reviewers find information quickly.

Successful proposals should include the following:

1. Project Description

You should:

• Describe the proposed conference and how it will address the expectations identified in Section B.1 of this announcement. You should:

o Explain the rationale for the proposed conference.

o Define the gaps, needs, and/or issues on which the conference will focus.

o Describe the scope and breadth of the gaps, needs, and/or issues on which the conference will focus. Indicate if these are primarily national (U.S.) or international gaps, needs, and/or issues.

o Indicate how the proposed conference will contribute to addressing the identified gaps, needs, and/or issues nationally/internationally.

o Describe the nature of the activities to be undertaken and why these specific activities were selected. Present a clear connection between identified research integrity gaps, needs, and/or issues and the proposed activities. Explain how these activities will assist in achieving the overall project goals and objectives. Activities should be designed to promote high-quality, evidence-informed discussion and to support the development of practical approaches that can be applied to strengthen research integrity and reduce unnecessary administrative burden.

o Discuss potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success anticipated to achieve the goals.

o Provide specifics about the proposed conference agenda, venue, speakers, attendees, materials, dissemination plan, follow-up strategies, and expected outcomes.

o Describe the target audience and how you will advertise the conference and encourage attendance. Describe the extent to which technology will play a role, if applicable.

o Describe the role and makeup of potential consultants intended to be involved in completing specific tasks. Identify the level of effort each individual is anticipated to provide in completing programmatic activities.

This includes roles that research administrators, research integrity officers, research faculty, professional societies, publishers, editors, or others outside your organization will engage in accomplishing the project.

o If a non-U.S. location is proposed, justify the selection of that non-U.S.

location (e.g., estimate of how many people may travel from the U.S. to the conference for any role; connection to PHS-funded research, researchers or research institutions).

2. Innovation

You should:

• Describe any novel approaches or methods you intend to employ to fulfill the conference’s purpose. If utilizing approaches or methods that do not diverge substantially from existing practices, describe the novelty in the application of those methods to the topic/conference. Reference, where applicable, existing approaches for the purpose of contrasting the novel approaches or methods you propose.

• Describe how the conference will draw together appropriate experts who may otherwise not have an opportunity to convene.

• Describe innovative approaches that enhance transparency, promote the sharing and application of knowledge, or address emerging challenges such as the responsible use of artificial intelligence in research integrity efforts.

• Describe efforts to modernize compliance, reduce administrative burden, and streamline research integrity.

3. Outcomes

• Keep the focus of this section on describing what outcome(s) will be produced by the project. In many cases, it is very appropriate for a project to have only ONE outcome that it is trying to achieve through the intervention reflected in the project’s design. You should use the Evaluation section noted below to describe how you will assess the project outcome(s).

• Specify the tangible/measurable outcome(s) that will result from your project.

HHS/OASH will not fund any project that does not include measurable outcomes. A tangible/measurable outcome is an observable end-result that describes how an activity, event, resource, or approach helps the intended audience; it is large enough to be noticed. It demonstrates the “impact” of the activity, event, resource, or approach. For example, a tangible/measurable outcome may be a change in knowledge, skill, attitude, awareness, or behavior about the subject matter because of the project. This may include new knowledge or a tangible/measurable increase in institutional awareness. A tangible/measurable outcome is not a measurable/quantifiable “output,” such as the number of materials produced, the number of stakeholders using these materials, or the number of lectures/training sessions provided. These numbers in combination with other measures may contribute to the overall evaluation of the activity or project.

• In addition to any discussion in the Project Description, describe how you envision the project will benefit the field at large and advance Administration priorities to strengthen scientific integrity and research integrity, reduce administrative burden in science, and promote principles of gold standard science

– including transparency, reproducibility, and scientific rigor.

• Describe how the proposed outcomes will contribute to improving research practices, institutional policies, or systems that support research integrity, and how these outcomes may be applied or adapted beyond the immediate participants of the conference, workshop, or event.

• In addition to any discussion in the Dissemination section below, describe how you will report on the outcomes of the project.

4. Evaluation

• Describe the methods you will use to assess and evaluate the impact of activities you propose.

• Describe the quantitative and/or qualitative tools and techniques that you will employ to assess and evaluate the outcome(s) and how you will identify and document the “lessons learned.”

• Describe how you will evaluate knowledge retention and application of the knowledge gained, changes in attitudes, or other key outcomes that may or may not emerge prior to the conclusion of the conference.

• Describe how you will collect and report data. Describe how you will ensure the validity and reliability of these data. Evaluation approaches should support transparency in reporting and enable lessons learned to inform future activities or be adapted by other organizations, where appropriate.

5. Dissemination

• Describe a comprehensive, time-framed dissemination plan to communicate key findings to stakeholders, the public, and/or others who might be interested in the results of the proposed project. HHS/OASH expects that nationwide dissemination of products and knowledge will be facilitated.

• Describe your strategies for broad, multichannel dissemination of key points and materials that emerge from conference events and activities, as well as the degree to which these key points and materials will be disseminated.

• Describe the method you will use to disseminate the project’s results and findings in a timely manner and in easily understandable formats to the PHS-funded research community, the public, and/or others who might be interested in using the results of the project to inform practice, service delivery, program development, and/or policy-making.

6. Project Management

• Identify the Principal Investigator/Project Director, collaborators, and other researchers, including subrecipients, contractors, and consultants, proposed for the project. Include a clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of each contributor, their relevant experience, and how they will contribute to achieving the project’s goals and outcomes.

• Identify the individual who will serve as the Principal Investigator/Project

Director and that individual’s qualifications. HHS/OASH expects that, throughout the award period, the Principal Investigator/Project Director will be involved in, and have substantial knowledge about, all aspects of the project.

• Specify who would have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks such as:

leadership of project; monitoring the project’s ongoing progress; preparation of reports; and communications with collaborators and HHS/OASH.

• Describe the approach that you will use to monitor and track progress on the project’s tasks and objectives.

7. Environment and Organizational Capability

• Describe the research/scientific environment of your organization and how it will contribute to the probability of success of the project.

• Describe how your organization (or the division of a larger organization which will have responsibility for this project) is organized, the nature and scope of its work, and the capabilities it possesses.

• Describe your organization’s capability to successfully implement the proposed project. This should include a description of the institutional support, equipment, and other physical resources available to the Principal

Investigator/Project Director and/or other project personnel.

• Describe the organizational investment in the success of the Principal

Investigator/Project Director and proposed project. Examples of such investment include provision of resources such as office space sufficient for project needs, logistical support such as administrative management and oversight, and financial support such as protected time for research with salary support.

• Describe the capabilities of your organization not included elsewhere in the program narrative, such as any current or previous relevant experience and/or the record of the project team in preparing cogent and useful reports, publications, and other products. If appropriate, include an organization chart in your

Appendices showing the relationship of the project to the current organization.

Include information about any contractual and/or supportive staff/organization(s) that will have a secondary role(s) in implementing the project and achieving project goals. Describe collaborations in the application and accompanying letters of commitment.

• Describe the proposed in-person and/or virtual conference venue and articulate the characteristics or features of the venue that make it an appropriate setting for conference activities.

b. Appendices to the Project Narrative – Content

All items described in this section will count toward the total page limit of your application. You must submit them as a single electronic file uploaded to the Attachments section of your

Grants.gov application.

Samples and optional forms/templates for some of these items are located under the Related

Documents tab for this NOFO on Grants.gov.

Your application should include the following appendices:

▪ Work Plan

Include a detailed work plan that is consistent with your project narrative and budget narrative. Your work plan should reflect the estimated one-year period of performance.

A work plan should include a statement of the project’s overall goal(s), key

SMART objectives (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound), milestone activities, and anticipated measurable outcome(s)/impact(s). Your objectives should align with the expectations of this opportunity, and the major tasks, action steps, or activities to achieve the goal and outcome(s). For each major task, action step, or activity, the work plan should identify the person(s) responsible, the timeline for completing activities (including start- and end-dates), and measures of success.

A suggested Work Plan Template is included under Related Documents in

Grants.gov (the instruction pages will not count toward your page limit) or you may create your own work plan. Regardless of the option you choose, the work plan you submit must address all of the content requested.

▪ Curricula Vitae, Résumés, Biographical sketches for Key Project Personnel

Submit curricula vitae, résumés, or biographical sketches (biosketches) for all key project personnel including the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI).

Key personnel includes those individuals who will oversee the technical, professional, managerial, and support functions and/or assume responsibility for assuring the validity and quality of the project. Do not include curricula vitae, résumés, or biosketches for individuals who provide routine administrative support to the project as part of their broader support of the organization. For key personnel positions that are currently vacant, please provide a copy of the position description or a list of duties for the position.

You should use full names (first, middle, last) on these documents to distinguish them for verification in the System for Award Management exclusion records. Use the formatting common to those documents. (See https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm for templates and sample biographical sketches.)

▪ References Cited

Include your references cited in your project narrative. You may use any standard format that you choose as long as it clearly leads the reader to your source of the information or data.

c. Budget Package - Content

A complete budget package consists of the following required components:

• SF-424A “Budget Information Non-Construction Programs”

• Budget narrative with detailed justification by cost category/object class, and

• Plan for oversight of federal funds.

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm

You should include supporting documentation for your budget (e.g., a copy of your approved indirect cost rate) as part of the budget package, not as part of your appendices to the project narrative. There is no page limit for the budget package contents. If you are recommended for an award, you may be asked to provide additional information about your budget package.

Throughout your budget package, “Federal resources” refers only to the funds you are requesting from the program office for this project. “Non-federal resources” are all other non-HHS/OASH federal and non-federal resources. Funds from federal grant programs typically are not eligible as cost share for other federal grants. It is your responsibility to confirm with other federal agencies whether funds you receive from them are eligible resources to apply to your proposed project.

1. Standard Form SF-424A

You must enter the project budget according to the directions provided with the standard form.

You must provide costs by object class category for the first 12 months (i.e., first budget period) of the proposed project using Section B, box 6 of SF-424A. If the estimated period of performance is 12 months or less, this will be your total budget request for the entire project.

"Federal resources" refers only to the funds for which you are applying under this NOFO. "Non-federal resources" are all other resources (federal and non-federal).

Do not include costs beyond the first budget period in the object class budget in box 6 of SF-

424A or box 18 of SF-424. The amounts entered in these sections should only reflect the first budget period.

If there is a discrepancy between your SF-424A and budget narrative and justification, we will rely on the narrative and justification to determine the final amounts.

2. Budget Narrative with Justification

Your budget narrative must include a detailed line-item budget and must include calculations for all costs and activities by the “object class categories” identified on SF-424A. You must provide a detailed justification for the costs by object class. The object class budget organizes your proposed costs into a set of defined categories.

Use the…