Noncompeting Continuing Applications
Core Grants for Vision Research

The NEI now includes the Core Grant for Vision Research Award (P30) under the provisions of either the Federal Demonstration Partnership Phase II or expanded authorities, and under the Streamlined Noncompeting Award Process (SNAP), which simplifies the requirements of the application process. Instructions for submitting the noncompeting application follow. Please note that some of these instructions differ from those contained in the PHS 2590 kit. "Application for Continuation of a Public Health Service Grant".

The special provisions of the expanded authorities are detailed in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, Part II, which is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/index.htm . The noncompeting Notice of Grant Award will provide only the Direct Costs and F & A Costs awarded for the budget period without a breakdown by budget category. Future year commitments will reflect only Total Costs. In addition, a Financial Status Report will be required only at the conclusion of the competitive segment rather than annually.

Specific Instructions

Applications should be submitted using PHS 2590 "Application for Continuation of a Grant". An electronic version of the PHS 2590 is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm . Follow the general instructions with the following modifications:

Face Page

Do not complete Items 8a and 8b.

Form Pages 2 and 3

Do not complete unless there will be significant rebudgeting or a significant change in the level of effort.

• Significant rebudgeting occurs when expenditures in a single Direct Cost budget category deviate (increase or decrease) from the categorical commitment level established at the time of the competing award by more than 25 per cent of the Total Costs awarded. The basis for determining significant rebudgeting excludes the effects of carryover of prior year unobligated balances, but includes competing or administrative supplements. If there will be significant rebudgeting of funds in the next budget period, complete Form Pages 2 and 3. If no significant rebudgeting is planned, state this at the beginning of Form Page 5.
  
  
• A significant change in level of effort of key personnel is defined as a 25 per cent reduction in time devoted to the project. For example, if a key person on the project is expected to reduce his/her level of effort from 40 percent to 30 percent, a 25 per cent reduction, Form Pages 2 and 3 are to be submitted. This requirement applies whether or not the key person is compensated from the grant. Key personnel is defined as the Principal Investigator, the Module Directors, the Biostatistician, and participating investigators who will use any module to a "moderate" or "extensive" degree, whether or not salary support is requested. If no significant change in level of effort is planned or has occurred, state this at the beginning of Form Page 5.

Biographical Sketch

Complete only for new (not previously reported) key personnel, whether or not salary support is requested.

Other Support

Provide the requested information about changes (not previously reported) in active support only for the key personnel who are requesting salary support from the Core Grant. This should ordinarily be limited to the Principal Investigator and/or the Biostatistician. Do not submit information about changes in active support provided to any other individuals listed in the application. Refer to the PHS Form 398 application kit for the instructions, definitions, policy, and format pertaining to other support. This form is available at http://www.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm

Estimated Unobligated Balance

Explain any estimated unobligated balance (including prior year carryover) that is greater than 25 percent of the current year's Total Costs and report it at the beginning of Form Page 5. Provide an explanation of why there is a significant balance and how it will be spent if carried forward into the next budget period. If no significant unobligated balance is expected, state this at the beginning of Form Page 5.

Form Page 5 (Progress Report Summary)

• Provide a "Director's Summary" of 300 words or less describing any important changes that occurred in the direction or operations of the Core Grant or in the availability of facilities, major equipment, or other resources during the budget period being reported. Include any significant changes in the goals of the Core Grant planned for the next budget period. If no significant changes are planned, simply state this.
  
  
• Provide a brief summary for each module describing how the module enhanced the capability of investigators for conducting vision research during the budget period being reported. Do not provide the details of research activities or references to publications already described or planned for inclusion in the progress report summaries for participating investigators' NEI-supported grants or cooperative agreements. If applicable, describe briefly any new (not previously reported) collaborative studies, attraction of investigators to vision research, or other research-related activities made possible or facilitated by the Core Grant. For publications not referenced in individual investigator progress reports, please provide references in the format used in "Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science". Do not provide reprints of any publications.
  
  
• Provide information for each module on the extent to which the module will be used by each investigator during the next budget period. Each investigator's use of the Module should be characterized as "limited", "moderate", or "extensive". This information should be presented in a table (see example below). Provide additional information only if there have been significant changes in the numbers of module users in the "moderate" or "extensive" categories in the last progress report.
  
  

Image Analysis Module

INVESTIGATOR	LIMITED USE	MODERATE USE	EXTENSIVE USE
Dr. A	X
Dr. B			X
Etc.

FORM PAGE 6

Review and submit the Checklist. Complete Section 2 as indicated. If no program income is anticipated, enter the words, "None Anticipated". Do not complete Section 3 unless there will be a change in performance site.

FORM PAGE 7

Do not complete.