Research Infrastructure Programs - Research Centers

The Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP), within the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) in the NIH Office of the Director, supports extramural biomedical research by strengthening the infrastru

ORIP advances the NIH mission by supporting infrastructure for innovation. This support is focused on research resources, including research models for human diseases, cutting-edge scientific instrumentation, construction and modernization of research facilities, and research training opportunities for veterinary scientists.

Institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other institutions and organizations, both nonprofit and for-profit, seeking to establish, continue, or enlarge programs consistent with the objectives of the program. To be eligible for instrumentation and equipment programs, applications must be Private nonprofit institutions/organizations, Public nonprofit institutions/organizations.

Biomedical investigators at any nonprofit organization or institution engaged in biomedical research.

Contact the headquarters, as appropriate.

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives.

The initial review of applications from eligible investigators and institutions is reviewed by committees comprised of authorities in various fields of biomedical research and science education, as appropriate. Each application is given a peer evaluation for merit, and recommendations are forwarded to the NIH Council of Councils for final review and recommendation.

Renewal applications are reviewed in the same manner as new applications.

From 60 to 90 days, the institutional official (and the principal investigator) may communicate questions related to the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of their application by communicating with the NIH staff. Additional information on the appeals of initial review can be found in the NIH Guide Notices NOT-OD-11-064: Appeals of NIH Peer Review, and NOT-OD-18-197: NIH/AHRQ Application Submission/Resubmission Policy.