National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases- Training Institutional

Provide funding to support training programs that develop the next generation of biomedical researchers and advance basic and applied research aimed at understanding, treating, and ultimately preventing infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases.

Institutional Training grants are made to institutions to support structured research training programs in areas aligned with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases mission. The institution applies for the grant and appoints the specific trainees. Institutional Training mechanisms are T32 Institutional National Research Service Award (NRSA) and T35 Short-Term Institutional Training Grant.

The following will be considered in making funding decisions: scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific peer review, availability of funds, relevance of the proposed project to program priorities. Assessing the importance/impact of the proposed study and its goals. Evaluating the quality of the experimental design and approach. The ability of the proposed investigator or research group to successfully execute the project. Examine whether the proposed resources, infrastructure, and institutional facilities are sufficient to support the project. Budgetary considerations are reviewed to determine the necessity of the components requested. This entails examining whether the proposed expenditure aligns well with the activities and scale of the project. Determining whether all items requested are essential for successful execution.

Applicants submit the grant application in grants.gov following guidance provided in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Center for Scientific Review (CSR) assigns the application. A peer review process by Scientific Review Group (SRG) assigns an overall impact score. A second level peer review is done by NIAID's advisory council which determines if there is concurrence with the initial peer review, evaluates program relevance, and fiscal considerations. NIAID selects proposals based on several factors including scientific and technical merit, programmatic priorities/set-asides, and budget availability for that fiscal year. The Council makes recommendations to NIAID leadership. After advisory council review NIAID program staff evaluates applications. NIAID officials under delegated HHS authority consider all factors and make funding decisions. The NIAID Grants Management Officer (GMO) issues a Notice of Award (NOA). The NOA is the legally binding document which obligates federal funds, specifies the approved budget and project period, establishes terms and conditions of the assistance. Only a GMO has authority to obligate Federal funds. Funds will be distributed to the applicants institution which administers trainee support and ensures compliance with NRSA requirements. The NOA specifies the approved budget period which is the specific time interval within the project period for which funds are provided.