The Office of Research and Engagement is invested in the success of UT’s NIH researchers. This page informs researchers of relevant resources at UT and NIH, provides easy access to information needed to prepare and submit a strong NIH proposal, simplifies the application process, and serves as a repository for frequently requested documents.
Is there an NIH resource that you need but don’t see on this page? Would you like to provide feedback on our NIH initiatives? Please send us an email to let us know.
UT Resources and Services
UT NIH Research Community
Become part of the UT NIH Research Community to share NIH news and announcements, to learn about funding opportunities, workshops, and speakers, to connect with potential collaborators across campus and beyond, and to crowdsource questions related to all aspects of the NIH grant process. Join the UT NIH Research Community.
Contact
For questions about NIH resources or the UT NIH Research Community, please contact
Jennifer Webster
(jwebster@utk.edu)
(865) 974-2044
In addition to the resources below, ORE offers a range of Research Development support services.
- eRA Commons Account Creation: Request setup of eRA Commons accounts or reaffiliation of existing accounts
- Public Health Service Financial Conflict of Interest: Procedure managed by ORE’s Office of Research Integrity
- ORE NIH Funding Opportunity Strategy Meeting: Contact us to discuss your funding options at NIH
- ORE Office of Sponsored Programs
- ORE Proposal Library: See examples of funded NIH proposals at UT
- ORE Trainings and Workshops: For upcoming NIH trainings, speakers, and networking events
- UT Libraries: Data Management: Request NIH-specific guidance on data sharing and data management plans
- UT Libraries: Research Guides: Explore research guides for a number of health-related topics, and request support for publication compliance, citation management, literature reviews, and more from UT’s Subject Expert Librarians
- UT Sponsored Projects Accounting
Frequently Requested Information
These resources include templates for some required documents and checklists to simplify the application process. Documents will be updated as needed to respond to changes in NIH requirements. UT-specific text may be modified to suit the needs of your project.
- Biographical Sketch: Template, instructions, and samples
- Budget and Budget Justification Samples
- Consortium and Contractual Arrangements
- Data Sharing Plan: Contact the UT Libraries for assistance with your NIH Data Sharing Plan
- eRA Commons: Allows investigators to check application status, complete progress reports, modify personal information, and more
- Extramural Trainee Reporting and Career Tracking (xTRACT): Allows investigators to create research training tables for institutional training grant applications and progress reports
- Facilities and Other Resources (general)
- Format of PDF Attachments
- Letter of Support
- NIH Application Guide: Includes the current version of the SF424 Application Guide, comprehensive instructions for different NIH mechanisms, and supplemental instructions for human and animal subjects, clinical trials, data security, and more
- NIH Forms Library: Includes forms used throughout the NIH project lifecycle
- R15 Facilities and Other Resources
- R15 Program Resources
- R15 Sample Biographical Sketch Personal Statement
- SciENcv: An electronic system used to create and maintain biographical sketches for multiple federal agencies
- Standard Due Dates for Competing Applications
- Table of Page Limits
Funding Opportunities
The majority of NIH extramural funding is awarded to unsolicited, investigator-initiated projects in response to Parent Announcements. If you would like to receive targeted NIH funding opportunities, please sign up for ORE’s weekly Funding Opportunities Digest here.
- Activity Codes Search
- Comparing Popular Research Project Grants: R01, R03, or R21
- Funding Opportunities and Notices Search
- Standard Due Dates for Competing Applications
- Types of Grant Programs
Proposal Strategy
These resources are a helpful starting point for making decisions about what type of funding opportunity best suits your project, which NIH institutes and centers might be interested in your research, which program officers you should contact to discuss your project and its fit with a particular institute or center mission and portfolio, which scientific review officers you should contact to ensure you have found the right study section to review your proposal, and who serves as reviewers on your study section. ORE recommends contacting agency officials and building relationships long before submitting your application.
- Contacting NIH Program and Review Staff
- Data Book
- Description of NIH Institutes and Centers
- Funding Success Rates
- Integrated Review Groups: Search for a study section roster
- MatchMaker: Find an institute/center, study section, award mechanism, and program officer
- Office of Extramural Research
- RePORTER: Search funded proposals
New and Early Stage Investigators
NIH provides extra resources to support new and early stage investigators, such as a different peer review ranking system, special award mechanisms, and opportunities to participate in study section reviews.
- Early Career Reviewer Program
- Information for New Investigators
- Early Stage and Early Established Investigator Policies
- Research Career Development Awards
- Video: Insider’s Guide to NIH Peer Review for New Reviewers
- Video: Jumpstart Your Research Career with CSR’s Early Career Reviewer Program
Proposal Development
These resources include tips and tutorials for writing your application and other links that will be useful in the course of preparing your application for submission. See also Frequently Requested Information.
- Book: The Grant Application Writer’s Workbook: NIH Version (recommended)
- Book: Writing the NIH Grant Proposal: A Step-by-Step Guide
- eRA Commons Frequently Asked Questions
- Sample Applications and More
- Writing Your Application
- Video: NIH Tips for Applicants
Peer Review
These resources provide information on the basics of NIH’s peer review system and the guidelines that are used to review applications. You can also view the names of the standing study section members who may review your proposal. ORE recommends that all researchers, including new and early stage investigators, volunteer to serve on NIH study sections, to learn about the process of peer review at NIH and ultimately to strengthen your own applications.
- Become a Reviewer
- Criteria and Considerations for Research Project Grant Critiques
- Addressing the Rigor and Reproducibility Criteria
- Guidelines for Peer Reviewers
- How to Serve on an NIH R01 Study Section
- Insider’s Guide to Peer Review for Applicants
- Integrated Review Groups: Search for a study section roster
- Video: Insider’s Guide to NIH Peer Review for Applicants
- Video: Insider’s Guide to NIH Peer Review for New Reviewers
- Video: Jumpstart Your Research Career with CSR’s Early Career Reviewer Program
- Video: What Happens to Your NIH Grant Application
- Video: What You Need to Know about Application Submission and Assignment
- Video: 8 Ways to Successfully Navigate NIH Peer Review and Get an R01 Grant
- Video: 8 Ways to Successfully Navigate NIH Peer Review and Get a Fellowship Grant
Award Stage
Post-award financial and non-financial requirements are managed by the Office of Sponsored Programs and Sponsored Projects Accounting, in collaboration with principal investigators and departmental staff.