PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form Instructions

G.430 - PHS Fellowship Supplemental
Form
The PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form is used only for
fellowship applications.
This form includes fields to upload several attachments
including the Specific Aims, Research Strategy, and
Applicant Background and Goals.
The attachments in this form, together with the rest of
your application, should include sufficient information
needed for evaluation of the project and fellow,
independent of any other documents (e.g., previous
application). Be specific and informative, and avoid
redundancies.
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Quick Links
Introduction
1. Introduction to Application (for Resubmission applications)

Fellowship Applicant Section
2. Applicant's Background and Goals for Fellowship Training

Research Training Plan Section
3. Specific Aims
4. Research Strategy
5. Respective Contributions
6. Selection of Sponsor and Institution
7. Progress Report Publication List (for Renewal applications)
8. Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research

Sponsor(s), Collaborator(s), and Consultant(s) Section
9. Sponsor and Co-Sponsor Statements
10. Letters of Support from Collaborators, Contributors, and Consultants

Institutional Environment and Commitment to Training Section
11. Description of Institutional Environment and Commitment to Training
12. Description of Candidate’s Contribution to Program Goals

Other Research Training Plan Section

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Vertebrate Animals
13. Are vertebrate animals euthanized?
14. Vertebrate Animals
15. Select Agent Research
16. Resource Sharing Plan
17. Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources

Additional Information Section
18. Human Embryonic Stem Cells
19. Alternate Phone Number
20. Degree Sought During Proposed Award
21. Field of Training for Current Proposal
22. Current or Prior Kirschstein-NRSA Support?
23. Applications for Concurrent Support?
24. Citizenship
25. Change of Sponsoring Institution

Budget Section
26. Tuition and Fees
27. Present Institutional Base Salary
28. Stipends/Salary During First Year of Proposed Fellowship

Appendix
29. Appendix

Who should use the PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form:
Use the PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form only if you are submitting a fellowship application.
Fellowship applicants and sponsors are strongly encouraged to speak with a PHS Program Official for
Institute- or Center (IC)-specific guidance before preparing this application. Refer to the Table of ICspecific Information, Requirements, and Staff Contacts in your FOA. In addition, a list of contacts
specifically for extramural training at the NIH ICs can be found at NIH Training Advisory Committee
Roster. For AHRQ, see Research Training Staff Contacts. You are encouraged to check these websites
for the most current contact information.
It is important that the attachments in this form be developed in collaboration with your sponsor, but
they should be written by you, the fellowship applicant.
Read all the instructions in the FOA before completing this section to ensure that your application
meets all IC-specific criteria.

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Applicants must follow all policies and requirements related to formatting, page limits, and
proprietary information. See the following pages for more information:
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Format Attachments
Page Limits
NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 2.3.11.2: Confidentiality of Information
NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 2.3.11.2.2: The Freedom of Information Act

Introduction
1. Introduction to Application (for Resubmission applications)
Who must complete the “Introduction to Application” attachment:

An "Introduction" attachment is required only if the type of application is resubmission or if the
FOA specifies that one is needed. An introduction is not allowed for new or renewal applications.
Descriptions of different types of applications are listed here: NIH Types of Applications.
Format:

Follow the page limits for the Introduction in the NIH Table of Page Limits unless otherwise
specified in the FOA.
Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
Content:

Resubmission applications: See specific instructions on the content of the Introduction on the
NIH's Resubmission Applications page.

Fellowship Applicant Section
2. Applicant’s Background and Goals for Fellowship Training
Who must complete the "Applicant's Background and Goals for Fellowship Training"
attachment:
The “Applicant’s Background and Goals for Fellowship Training” attachment is required.
Format:

Follow the page limits for Applicant’s Background and Goals for Fellowship Training in the NIH
Table of Page Limits unless otherwise specified in the FOA.
Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
Content:

Organize the Applicant’s Background and Goals for Fellowship Training attachment in the
specified order and use the instructions provided below unless otherwise specified in the FOA.

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Start each section with the appropriate heading - Doctoral Dissertation and Research Experience,
Training Goals and Objectives, and Activities Planned Under this Award.
A. Doctoral Dissertation and Research Experience

Briefly summarize your past research experience, results, and conclusions, and describe how
that experience relates to the proposed fellowship. In some cases, a proposed fellowship
may build directly on previous research experiences, results, and conclusions. In other
situations, past research experiences may lead a candidate to apply for a fellowship in a new
or different area of research. Do not list academic courses in this section.

Applicants with no research experience: Describe any other scientific experiences.
Advanced graduate students (i.e., those who have or will have completed their
comprehensive examinations by the time of award): Include a narrative of your planned
doctoral dissertation (may be preliminary).
Postdoctoral fellowship applicants: Specify which areas of your proposed research were
part of your predoctoral thesis or dissertation and which, if any, were part of a previous
postdoctoral project.
B. Training Goals and Objectives
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Describe your overall training goals for the duration of the fellowship and how the
proposed fellowship will enable the attainment of these goals.
Identify the skills, theories, conceptual approaches, etc., to be learned or enhanced
during the award, including, as applicable, expertise in rigorous research design,
experimental methods, quantitative approaches, and data analysis and interpretation.
Discuss how the proposed research will facilitate your transition to the next career stage,
if applicable.

C. Activities Planned Under this Award

The activities planned under this award should be individually tailored and well-integrated
with your research project.
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Describe, by year, the activities (research, coursework, professional development, clinical
activities, etc.) you will be involved in during the proposed award. Estimate the
percentage of time to be devoted to each activity. The percentage should total 100 for
each year.
Describe the research skills and techniques that you intend to learn during the award
period.
Provide a timeline detailing the proposed research training, professional development,
and clinical activities for the duration of the fellowship award. Detailed timelines of
research activities involving animals, human subjects, or clinical trials are requested in
other sections of the fellowship application and should not be included here. The
timeline you provide here should be distinct from the Study Timeline in the PHS Human
Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form.

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Research Training Plan Section
A Research Training Plan is required for all types of fellowship awards and is a major part of the
fellowship application. It is important to relate the proposed research to the applicant's scientific
career goals. Explain the relationship between the applicant’s research on the fellowship award
and the sponsor’s ongoing research program.
The information in these introductory paragraphs to the Research Training Plan Section applies
to all Research Training Plan Section attachments: Specific Aims, Research Strategy, Respective
Contributions, Selection of Sponsor and Institution, Progress Report Publication List, and
Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research.
For most types of research, the plan should include:
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a specific hypothesis,
a list of the specific aims and objectives that will be used to examine the hypothesis,
a description of the methods/approaches/techniques to be used in each aim,
a discussion of possible problems and how they will be managed, and
alternative approaches that might be tried if the initial approaches do not work.

The Research Training Plan is expected to be tailored to the experience level of the applicant and
to allow him/her to develop the necessary skills for further career advancement. Reviewers will
evaluate the plan accordingly. The plan should be achievable within the requested time period.
Pilot or preliminary studies and routine data gathering are generally not appropriate as the focus
of the Research Training Plan.
Although applicants for fellowship awards are expected to write the Research Training Plan, the
sponsor should review a draft of the plan and discuss it in detail with the applicant. Review by
other knowledgeable colleagues is also helpful. Although it is understood that fellowship
applications do not require the extensive experimental detail usually incorporated into regular
research grant applications, a fundamentally sound Research Training Plan should be provided.

3. Specific Aims
Who must complete the "Specific Aims" attachment:

The “Specific Aims” attachment is required unless otherwise specified in the FOA.
Format:

Follow the page limits for Specific Aims in the NIH Table of Page Limits, unless otherwise specified
in the FOA. This section is limited to text only. Graphics (including images, charts, and graphs) are
not allowed in this section. A “Specific Aims” attachment that exceeds the page limit will be
flagged as an error by the Agency upon submission, and a “Specific Aims” attachment that
includes graphics will generate a warning by the Agency upon submission.
Attach this information as a PDF. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
Content:

State concisely the goals of the proposed research and summarize the expected outcome(s),
including the impact that the results of the proposed research will have on the research field(s)

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involved.
List succinctly the specific objectives of the research proposed (e.g., to test a stated hypothesis,
create a novel design, solve a specific problem, challenge an existing paradigm or clinical practice,
address a critical barrier to progress in the field, or develop new technology).

4. Research Strategy
Who must complete the "Research Strategy" attachment:
The “Research Strategy” attachment is required.
Format:

Follow the page limits for the Research Strategy in the NIH Table of Page Limits unless otherwise
specified in the FOA. Although multiple sections of information are required in the Research
Strategy as detailed below, the page limit applies to the entirety of the single Research Strategy
attachment.
Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
Content:

Organize the Research Strategy in the specified order and use the instructions provided below,
unless otherwise specified in the FOA. Start each section with the appropriate section heading –
Significance, Approach, etc. Cite published experimental details in the Research Strategy and
provide the full reference in G.220 - R&R Other Project Information Form, Bibliography and
References Cited.
Note for Applications Proposing the Involvement of Human Subjects and/or Clinical Trials:
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Use the Research Strategy section to discuss the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses
of your proposed research, but do not duplicate information collected in the PHS Human
Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form.
The PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form will capture detailed study
information, including eligibility criteria; inclusion of women, minorities, and children; and
protection and monitoring plans.
You are encouraged to refer to information in the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials
Information form as appropriate in your discussion (e.g., see Question 2.4 Inclusion of Women
and Minorities).

Note for Applicants with Multiple Specific Aims: you may address the Significance and
Approach either for each Specific Aim individually or for all of the Specific Aims collectively.
1. Significance
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Explain the importance of the problem or critical barrier to progress that the proposed
project addresses.
Describe the strengths and weaknesses in the rigor of the prior research (both
published and unpublished) that serves as the key support for the proposed project.
Explain how the proposed project will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability,
and/or clinical practice in one or more broad fields.

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

Describe how the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative
interventions that drive this field will be changed if the proposed aims are achieved.

2. Approach
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Describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the
specific aims of the project. Describe plans to address weaknesses in the rigor of the
prior research that serves as the key support for the proposed project. Describe the
experimental design and methods proposed and how they will achieve robust and
unbiased results. Unless addressed separately in the Resource Sharing Plan attachment,
include how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted, as well as any resource
sharing plans, as appropriate. Resources and tools for rigorous experimental design can
be found at the Enhancing Reproducibility through Rigor and Transparency website.
For trials that randomize groups or deliver interventions to groups, describe how your
methods for analysis and sample size are appropriate for your plans for participant
assignment and intervention delivery. These methods can include a group- or clusterrandomized trial or an individually randomized group-treatment trial. Additional
information is available at the Research Methods Resources webpage.
Discuss potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success
anticipated to achieve the aims.
If the project is in the early stages of development, describe any strategy to establish
feasibility, and address the management of any high risk aspects of the proposed work.
Explain how relevant biological variables, such as sex, are factored into research designs
and analyses for studies in vertebrate animals and humans. For example, strong
justification from the scientific literature, preliminary data, or other relevant
considerations, must be provided for applications proposing to study only one sex. Refer
to NIH Guide Notice on Sex as a Biological Variable in NIH-funded Research for
additional information.
Point out any procedures, situations, or materials that may be hazardous to personnel
and the precautions to be exercised. If applicable, a full discussion on the use of select
agents should appear in the Select Agent Research attachment below.
If research on Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) is proposed, but an approved cell
line from the NIH hESC Registry cannot be chosen, provide a strong justification for why
an appropriate cell line cannot be chosen from the registry at this time.
If you are proposing to gain clinical trial research experience (i.e., you will not be leading
an independent clinical trial), briefly describe your role on the clinical trial.

As applicable, also include the following information as part of the Research Strategy,
keeping within the two sections (Significance and Approach) listed above.
Preliminary Studies for New Applications:

For new applications, include information on preliminary studies (including data collected by
others in the lab), if any. Discuss the applicant's preliminary studies, data, and/or experience
pertinent to this application.

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Progress Report for Renewal Applications:

Renewal applications for individual Fellowships are rare. You should consult with your
program official before preparing such an application.
Note that the Progress Report falls within the Research Strategy and is therefore included in
the page limits for the Research Strategy. If you are submitting a renewal application,
provide a Progress Report. Provide the beginning and ending dates for the period covered
since the last competitive review. In the Progress Report, you should:
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Summarize the specific aims of the previous project period and the importance of the
findings, and emphasize the progress made toward their achievement.
Explain any significant changes to the specific aims and any new directions, including
changes resulting from significant budget reductions.
Discuss previous participant enrollment (e.g., recruitment, retention, inclusion of
women, minorities, children, etc.) for any studies meeting the NIH Glossary definition
for clinical research. Use the Progress Report section to discuss, but do not duplicate
information collected elsewhere in the application.

Do not include a list of publications, manuscripts accepted for publication, patents, or other
printed materials in the Progress Report. That information will be included in the "Progress
Report Publication List" attachment.

5. Respective Contributions
Who must complete the "Respective Contributions" attachment:
The “Respective Contributions” attachment is required.
Format:

Follow the page limits for Respective Contributions in the NIH Table of Page Limits unless
otherwise specified in the FOA.
Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
Content:

Describe the collaborative process between you and your sponsor/co-sponsor(s) in the
development, review, and editing of this Research Training Plan. Also discuss your respective
roles in accomplishing the proposed research.

6. Selection of Sponsor and Institution
Who must complete the "Selection of Sponsor and Institution" attachment:
The “Selection of Sponsor and Institution” attachment is required.
Format:

Follow the page limits for Selection of Sponsor and Institution in the NIH Table of Page Limits
unless otherwise specified in the FOA.
Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.

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Content:

Describe the rationale/justification for the selection of both the sponsor and the institution.
1. Explain why the sponsor, co-sponsor (if any), and institution were selected to accomplish
the research training goals. If the proposed research training is to take place at a site
other than the applicant organization, provide an explanation here.
2. Foreign Institution: If you are proposing a research training experience at a foreign
institution, describe how the foreign institution and sponsor offer special opportunities
for training that are not currently available in the United States. Key factors in the
selection of a foreign institution should be described. The need for and level of
proficiency in reading, speaking, and comprehending the foreign language should be
addressed.
3. Postdoctoral and Senior Fellowship Applicants requesting training at their
Doctorate or Current Institution: Training is expected to broaden a fellow's perspective.
Therefore, if you are requesting training at either your doctorate institution or any
institution where you have been training for more than a year, you must explain why
further training at that institution would be valuable. Individuals applying for senior
fellowships who are requesting training at the institution at which they are employed
should provide a similar explanation.

7. Progress Report Publication List (for Renewal applications)
Who must complete the “Progress Report Publication List” attachment:

A “Progress Report Publication List” is required only if the type of application is renewal.
Descriptions of different types of applications are listed here: NIH Types of Applications.
Format:

Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
Content:

In the rare instance that you are submitting a renewal application, list the titles and complete
references to all appropriate publications, manuscripts accepted for publication, patents, and
other printed materials that have resulted from the project since it was last reviewed
competitively.
You are allowed to cite interim research products. Note: Interim research products have specific
rules and citation requirements. See related Frequently Asked Questions on citing interim
research products and claiming them as products of your NIH award.
Provide the NIH Manuscript Submission reference number (e.g., NIHMS97531) or the PubMed
Central (PMC) reference number (e.g., PMCID234567) for the following types of articles:
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Articles that fall under the Public Access Policy;
Articles that were authored or co-authored by the fellowship applicant and arose from
NIH support;
Articles that were authored or co-authored by the fellowship applicant and arose from
AHRQ funding provided after February 19, 2016 (see Guide Notice on Policy for Public
Access to AHRQ-Funded Scientific Publications).

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If the PMCID is not yet available because the Journal submits articles directly to PMC on behalf of
their authors, indicate “PMC Journal – In Process.” NIH maintains a list of such journals.
Citations that are not covered by the NIH Public Access Policy, but are publicly available in a free,
online format may include URLs or PMCID numbers along with the full reference. Note that copies
of these publications are not accepted as appendix material.

8. Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
Who must complete the "Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research" attachment:
The “Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research” attachment is required.
Format:

Follow the page limits for Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research in the NIH Table of
Page Limits unless otherwise specified in the FOA.
Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
Content:

The plan must address the five required instructional components outlined in the NIH Policy on
Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), as more fully described in the NIH
Grants Policy Statement, Section 11.2.3.4: Responsible Conduct of Research:
1. Format: Describe the required format of instruction (i.e., face-to-face lectures,
coursework, and/or real-time discussion groups). A plan with only on-line instruction is
not acceptable.
2. Subject Matter: Describe the breadth of subject matter (e.g., conflict of interest,
authorship, data management, human subjects and animal use, laboratory safety,
research misconduct, and research ethics).
3. Faculty Participation: Describe the role of the sponsor/mentor(s) and other faculty
involvement in the instruction.
4. Duration of Instruction: Describe the total number of contact hours of instruction,
taking into consideration the duration of the program.
5. Frequency of Instruction: Instruction must occur during each career stage and at least
once every four years. Document any prior instruction during the applicant’s current
career stage, including the inclusive dates instruction was last completed.
Senior fellows may fulfill the requirement for instruction in RCR by participating as lecturers and
discussion leaders.
For more information:

See the NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 11.2.3.4: Responsible Conduct of Research.

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Sponsor(s), Collaborator(s), and Consultant(s) Section
9. Sponsor and Co-Sponsor Statements
Who must complete the “Sponsor and Co-Sponsor Statement” attachment:

The “Sponsor and Co-Sponsor Statement” attachment is required. The sponsor and each cosponsor must provide statements as described below.
Format:

Follow the page limits for Sponsor and Co-Sponsor Statements in the NIH Table of Page Limits
unless otherwise specified otherwise in the FOA.
The Sponsor and Co-Sponsor Statements must be appended together and uploaded as a single
PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
Content:

Complete these items as comprehensively as possible so that a meaningful evaluation of the
training environment can be made by the reviewers.
Create a heading at the top of the first page titled “Sponsor and Co-Sponsor Statements.”
Organize each statement in the specified order and use the instructions below, unless otherwise
specified in the FOA. Start each section with the appropriate section heading – Research Support
Available; Sponsor’s/Co-Sponsor’s Previous Fellows/Trainees; Training Plan, Environment,
Research Facilities; Number of Fellows/Trainees to be Supervised During the Fellowship; and
Applicant’s Qualifications and Potential for a Research Career.
Each sponsor and co-sponsor statement must address all of the following sections (A-E).
A. Research Support Available

In a table, list all current and pending research and research training support specifically
available to the applicant for this particular training experience. Include funding source,
complete identifying number, title of the research or training program, name of the PD/PI,
start and end dates, and the amount of the award. If the sponsor’s research support will
end prior to the end of the proposed training period, the sponsor should describe a
contingency plan for how the fellow’s research will be supported.
The role of the sponsor/co-sponsor in the Research Training Plan should be described. If
one or more co-sponsors is proposed, this plan should describe the role of each sponsor
and how they will communicate and coordinate their efforts to mentor the applicant
effectively.

B. Sponsor's/Co-Sponsor’s Previous Fellows/Trainees

State the total number of predoctoral and postdoctoral individuals previously sponsored.
Select up to five that are representative, and for those five, provide information on their time
spent in the lab, their present employing organizations, and their present position titles or
occupations.

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C. Training Plan, Environment, Research Facilities

The applicant’s Research Training Plan should be individualized for the applicant, keeping in
mind the candidate’s strengths and any gaps in needed skills. The Research Training Plan
should be designed to enhance both research and clinical training (if applicable).
Describe the Research Training Plan that you have developed specifically for the fellowship
applicant. Be sure to include the following points:
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Include items such as classes, seminars, opportunities for interaction with other
groups and scientists, and any professional skills development opportunities.
Describe the research environment and available research facilities and equipment.
Indicate the relationship of the proposed research training to the applicant's career
goals.
Describe the skills and techniques that the applicant will learn. Relate these to the
applicant's career goals.

The information contained in the “Training Plan, Environment, Research Facilities” section of
the Sponsor’s and Co-sponsors’ Statements should be coordinated with information
provided under the Description of Institutional Environment and Commitment to Training
attachment below.
F30 Applications: The Research Training Plan should provide opportunities to integrate
clinical experiences during the research training component; a plan for a smooth transition
to the clinical training component; and should have the potential to facilitate the applicant’s
transition to a residency or other program appropriate for his/her career goals. Sponsors
and co-sponsors should discuss these clinical aspects of the applicant’s training as well.
F31, F32, F33 Applications: The Research Training Plan should facilitate the applicant's
transition to the next stage of his/her career. Sponsors and co-sponsors should discuss this
aspect of the applicant's training as well.
D. Number of Fellows/Trainees to be Supervised During the Fellowship

Indicate how many pre- and/or post- doctoral fellows/trainees the Sponsor/Co-sponsor is
expected to supervise during the award period. Co-sponsor statements must also include
this information.

E. Applicant's Qualifications and Potential for a Research Career

Describe how the fellowship applicant is suited for this research training opportunity based
on his/her academic record and research experience level. Include information about how
the Research Training Plan, and your own expertise as the sponsor or co-sponsor, will assist
in producing an independent researcher.

Note: If the applicant is proposing to gain experience in a clinical trial as part of his or her
research training, then the sponsor or co-sponsor should include information in the statement
to document leadership of the clinical trial (in addition to the information above). Include the
following:
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Source of funding;
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (e.g., NCT87654321), if applicable;
A description of how your expertise is appropriate to guide the applicant in any
proposed clinical trials research experience; and

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
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A statement/attestation that the sponsor will be responsible for the clinical trial.
The sponsor must have primary responsibility for leading and overseeing the trial and
must describe how he/she will provide this oversight (be careful to not overstate the
fellow’s responsibilities).
Include details on the specific roles/responsibilities of the fellow and sponsor, keeping in
mind that the terms of a fellowship award do not permit the fellow to lead a clinical trial.

10. Letters of Support from Collaborators, Contributors, and Consultants
Note that Letters of Support are not the same as Reference Letters, which are required for some
fellowship award applications. For more information about Reference Letters see the NIH
Reference Letters page.
Format:

Follow the page limits for Letters of Support from Collaborators, Contributors, and Consultants
in the NIH Table of Page Limits unless otherwise specified in the FOA.
Letters of support must be appended together and uploaded as a single PDF file. See NIH's
Format Attachments page.
Content:

If any collaborators, consultants, or advisors are expected to contribute to the scientific
development or execution of the fellow’s planned project and research training, attach letters of
support from those individuals here, describing their anticipated role and contributions.

Institutional Environment and Commitment to Training Section
11. Description of Institutional Environment and Commitment to Training
Who must complete the “Description of Institutional Environment and Commitment to
Training” attachment:
The “Description of Institutional Environment and Commitment to Training” attachment is
required, and includes “Educational Information” for F30 and F31 applications.
Format:

Follow the page limits for the Description of Institutional Environment and Commitment to
Training in the NIH Table of Page Limits unless otherwise specified in the FOA.
Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
Content:

Document a strong, well-established research program related to the candidate's area of interest.
Describe opportunities for intellectual interactions with other individuals in training and other
investigators, including courses offered, journal clubs, seminars, and presentations.
Indicate the facilities and other resources that will be made available for both career
enhancement and the research proposed in this application. Refer to the resources description

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in G.220 - R&R Other Project Information Form, Facilities and Other Resources, and information
provided in the Sponsor and Co-sponsor Statements attachment.
F30 and F31 applications: Educational Information

Describe the institution’s dual-degree (F30) or graduate (F31) program in which the
applicant is enrolled. This description should include the structure of the program, the
required milestones and their usual timing, the number of courses, any teaching
commitments, clinical requirements, qualifying exams, and the average time to degree over
the past 10 years. Describe the progress/status of the applicant in relation to the program’s
timeline, and the frequency and method by which the program formally monitors and
evaluates a student’s progress.
For F30 applications specifically, describe any clinical tutorials during the graduate research
years and any activities to ease transition from the graduate to the clinical years of the dualdegree program. Describe any research-associated activities during the clinical years of the
dual-degree program.
Include the name of the individual providing this information at the end of the description.
This information is typically provided by the director of the graduate program or the
department chair.

12. Description of Candidate’s Contribution to Program Goals
Who must complete the "Description of Candidate’s Contribution to Program Goals"
attachment:
Applicants to diversity-related FOAs (e.g., diversity-related F31): The “Description of
Candidate’s Contribution to Program Goals” attachment is required.

All other Fellowship applicants: Skip the “Description of Candidate’s Contribution to Program
Goals” attachment, as it is not required.
Format:
Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH’s Format Attachments page.
Content:

The sponsoring institution must provide a document on institutional letterhead that explains
how the candidate’s participation will further the goals of the fellowship program to promote
diversity in health-related research.
For NIH’s Interest in Diversity, see the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity.
Signatures:

The “Description of Candidate’s Contribution to Program Goals” attachment must be dated
and signed by an institutional official. In most cases, this will be the dean or the chairman of
the department. The signature must appear over the signer's name and title at the end of
the statement.

Other Research Training Plan Section
Vertebrate Animals
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Are Vertebrate Animals Used?

This field is pre-populated from the G.220 - R&R Other Project Information Form.
If you have answered “No” for activities involving vertebrate animals and activities
involving vertebrate animals are not planned at any time during the proposed project at any
performance site: Skip Questions 13 and 14 below.
If you have answered “Yes” for activities involving vertebrate animals: Answer Questions 13
and 14 below in consultation with both your Sponsor and AO.

13. Are vertebrate animals euthanized?
An answer is required if you answered “Yes” to “Are Vertebrate Animals Used?” above.
Check "Yes" or "No" to indicate whether animals in the project are euthanized.
If “Yes” to euthanasia, is method consistent with AVMA guidelines?

An answer is required if you answered “Yes” to “Are Vertebrate Animals Euthanized?”
Check “Yes” or “No” to indicate whether the method of euthanasia is consistent with the
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals.
For more information: See AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals.

If “No” to AVMA guidelines, describe method and provide scientific justification:

If you answered “No” to “Is method consistent with AVMA guidelines?,” you must describe (in
1000 characters or fewer) the method of euthanasia and provide a scientific justification for its
use.
If you answered “Yes” to “Is method consistent with AVMA guidelines?” skip this question and
scientific justification.

14. Vertebrate Animals
Who must complete the “Vertebrate Animals” attachment:

Include a “Vertebrate Animals” attachment if you answered “Yes” to the question “Are Vertebrate
Animals Used?” on the G.220 - R&R Other Project Information Form.
Format:

Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
Do not use the Vertebrate Animals attachment to circumvent the page limits of the Research
Strategy.

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Content:

If live vertebrate animals are involved in the project, address each of the following criteria:
1. Description of Procedures: Provide a concise description of the proposed procedures to
be used that involve live vertebrate animals in the work outlined in the “Research
Strategy” attachment. The description must include sufficient detail to allow evaluation
of the procedures. Identify the species, strains, ages, sex, and total numbers of animals
by species, to be used in the proposed work. If dogs or cats are proposed provide the
source of the animals.
2. Justifications: Provide justification that the species are appropriate for the proposed
research. Explain why the research goals cannot be accomplished using an alternative
model (e.g., computational, human, invertebrate, in vitro).
3. Minimization of Pain and Distress: Describe the interventions including analgesia,
anesthesia, sedation, palliative care, and humane endpoints that will be used to minimize
discomfort, distress, pain, and injury.

Each of the criteria must be addressed. Failure to adequately address the criteria may negatively
affect the application's impact score. In addition to the 3 criteria above, you should also:




Identify all project performance (or collaborating) sites and describe the proposed
research activities with vertebrate animals that will be conducted at those sites.
Explain when and how animals are expected to be used if plans for the use of animals
have not been finalized.

See the following pages for more information:




NIH’s Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare website
NIH's Vertebrate Animals Section Worksheet
NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 4.1.1.1: Animal Welfare Assurance Requirements (an
applicable Animal Welfare Assurance will be required if the grantee institution does not have
one)

15. Select Agent Research
Who must complete the “Select Agent Research” attachment:

Include a “Select Agent Research” attachment if your proposed activities involve the use of select
agents at any time during the proposed project period, either at the applicant organization or at
any performance site.
Format:

Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
For more information:

Select agents are hazardous biological agents and toxins that have been identified by HHS or the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as having the potential to pose a severe threat to public
health and safety, to animal and plant health, or to animal and plant products. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Animal APHIS Select Agent Programs jointly
maintain a list of these agents. See the Federal Select Agent Program website.

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See also the NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 4.1.24.1: Public Health Security and Bioterrorism
Preparedness and Response Act (Select Agents).
Content:

Excluded select agents: If the activities proposed in the application involve only the use of a
strain(s) of select agents which has been excluded from the list of select agents and toxins as per
42 CFR 73.3, the select agent requirements do not apply. Use this “Select Agent Research”
attachment to identify the strain(s) of the select agent that will be used and note that it has been
excluded from this list. The CDC maintains a list of exclusions, which is available on the Select
Agents and Toxins Exclusions website.
Applying for a select agent to be excluded: If the strain(s) is not currently excluded from the list
of select agents and toxins but you have applied or intend to apply to HHS for an exclusion from
the list, use this section to indicate the status of your request or your intent to apply for an
exclusion and provide a brief justification for the exclusion.
All applicants proposing to use select agents: Address the following three points for each site
at which select agent research will take place. Although no specific page limitation applies to this
section, be succinct.
1. Identify the select agent(s) to be used in the proposed research.
2. Provide the registration status of all entities* where select agent(s) will be used.




If the performance site(s) is a foreign institution, provide the name(s) of the country
or countries where select agent research will be performed.
*An “entity” is defined in 42 CFR 73.1 as “any government agency (federal, state, or
local), academic institution, corporation, company, partnership, society, association,
firm, sole proprietorship, or other legal entity.”

3. Provide a description of all facilities where the select agent(s) will be used.






Describe the procedures that will be used to monitor possession, use, and transfer
of select agent(s).
Describe plans for appropriate biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the select
agent(s).
Describe the biocontainment resources available at all performance sites.

16. Resource Sharing Plan
Format:

Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
Content:

Data Sharing Plan: Investigators seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs (exclusive of
consortium F&A) in any budget period are expected to include a brief 1-paragraph description of
how final research data will be shared, or explain why data-sharing is not possible (for example
human subject concerns, the Small Business Innovation Development Act provisions, etc.).
Specific FOAs may require that all applications include this information regardless of the dollar
level. Applicants are encouraged to read the FOA carefully and discuss their data-sharing plan
with their program contact at the time they negotiate an agreement with the Institute/Center

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(IC) staff to accept assignment of their application. For more information, see the NIH Data
Sharing Policy or the NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 8.2.3.1: Data Sharing Policy.
Sharing Model Organisms: Regardless of the amount requested, all applications where the
development of model organisms is anticipated are expected to include a description of a specific
plan for sharing and distributing unique model organisms or state why such sharing is restricted
or not possible. For more information, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 8.2.3.2:
Sharing Model Organisms.
Genomic Data Sharing (GDS): Applicants seeking funding for research that generates largescale human or non-human genomic data are expected to provide a plan for sharing of these
data. Examples of large-scale genomic data include genome-wide association studies (GWAS),
single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) arrays, and genome sequence, transcriptomic,
epigenomic, and gene expression data. Supplemental Information to the NIH GDS provides
examples of genomic research projects that are subject to the Policy. For more information, see
the NIH GDS Policy, the NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 8.2.3.3: Genomic Data Sharing (GDS)
Policy/Policy for Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), and the GDS website.
Note on GDS: For proposed studies generating human genomic data under the scope of the
GDS Policy, an Institutional Certification may be submitted at the time of application submission,
but it is not required at that time. The Institutional Certification, however, will be requested as
Just-in-Time (JIT) information prior to award. The Institutional Certification, or in some cases, a
Provisional Institutional Certification, must be submitted and accepted before the award can be
issued.
For more information:

NIH considers the sharing of unique research resources developed through NIH-sponsored
research an important means to enhance the value and further the advancement of the research.
When resources have been developed with NIH funds and the associated research findings
published or provided to NIH, it is important that they be made readily available for research
purposes to qualified individuals within the scientific community. See NIH Grants Policy
Statement, Section 8.2.3: Sharing Research Resources.

17. Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources
Format:

Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
Content:

If applicable to the proposed science, briefly describe methods to ensure the identity and validity
of key biological and/or chemical resources used in the proposed studies. A maximum of one
page is suggested.
More information:

Key biological and/or chemical resources are characterized as follows:


Key biological and/or chemical resources may or may not have been generated with NIH
funds and: 1) may differ from laboratory to laboratory or over time; 2) may have qualities
and/or qualifications that could influence the research data; and 3) are integral to the
proposed research. These include, but are not limited to, cell lines, specialty chemicals,
antibodies, and other biologics.

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



Standard laboratory reagents that are not expected to vary do not need to be included in the
plan. Examples are buffers and other common biologicals or chemicals.
See NIH's page on Rigor and Reproducibility for more information.

Additional Information Section
18. Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Use the following instructions to complete the fields in this section.
For additional guidance, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 4.1.13: Human Stem Cell
Research.
Does the proposed project involve human embryonic stem cells (hESC)?
An answer to this question is required.

If the proposed project involves hESC, check “Yes” and complete the rest of the fields in the
Human Embryonic Stem Cells section.
If the proposed project does not involve hESC, check “No” and skip the rest of fields in the
Human Embryonic Stem Cells section.
Specific stem cell line cannot be referenced at this time. One from the registry will be used.

If you will use hESC but a specific line from the NIH hESC Registry cannot be chosen at the time of
application submission, check this box. Additionally, provide a strong justification (in the
Research Strategy) for why an appropriate cell line cannot be chosen from the registry at this
time.
If you cannot specify which cell lines will be used at the time of application submission, specific
cell line information will be required as Just-in-Time information prior to award.

Cell Line(s):

List the 4-digit registration number of the specific cell line(s) from the NIH hESC Registry (e.g.
0123). Up to 200 lines can be added.

19. Alternate Phone Number
Enter an alternate phone number (e.g., cell phone) for the fellowship applicant. This should be a
different number than the one provided in the PD/PI contact information in the G.200 - SF424
(R&R) Form.

20. Degree Sought During Proposed Award
Complete the following fields if you will be working toward a degree while receiving fellowship
support.
Degree:

Select the type of degree you will be working toward during the proposed award. If the degree is
not on the drop down menu, please select “OTH: Other.”

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If “other,” indicate degree type:

If you selected “OTH: Other” for the “Degree,” indicate the type of degree you will be working
toward during the proposed award.

Expected Completion Date (MM/YYYY):

Enter the expected completion date of the degree sought during the proposed award.

21. Field of Training for Current Proposal
An answer to this field required.
Select a single "Field of Training" code that best describes the proposed area of research training.
This information is used for reporting purposes only and is not used for study section
assignments.

22. Current or Prior Kirschstein-NRSA Support?
Current or Prior Kirschstein-NRSA Support? Yes/No

An answer to this question is required. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether you
currently have or have had prior Kirschstein-NRSA support.

If yes, identify current and prior Kirschstein-NRSA support below:

Select the appropriate “Level” and “Type” of Kirschstein-NRSA support. “Level” indicates either
predoctoral or postdoctoral level (not the level of experience). “Type” indicates either individual
fellowship or institutional research training grant.
If known, enter the start and end dates (month, day, and year) of the support and the grant
number (e.g., T32 GM123456 or F31 HL345678) of the current and/or prior support.
You may enter up to four separate listings for current and/or prior support.

Note on Kirschstein-NRSA time limits: An individual cannot receive more than five years of
cumulative predoctoral Kirschstein-NRSA support and three years cumulative postdoctoral
Kirschstein-NRSA support (the total of institutional grants and individual fellowships) without a
waiver from the awarding component. The awarding components have different policies on
waiving the statutory limits on support. Therefore, the fellowship applicant must request a waiver
from the probable awarding IC before requesting a period of support that would exceed these
limits. Refer to the Table of IC-specific Information, Requirements, and Staff Contacts in your FOA.
The fellow’s sponsor and AOR must endorse the request. The request must include justification
and specify the amount of additional support for which approval is sought. Individuals seeking
additional support beyond the third year of postdoctoral support are strongly advised to consult
with their awarding IC Program Officer before submitting a waiver request. It is important to read
carefully the applicable FOA that may have an overall approval to exceed these limits (e.g., the F30
programs allow for up to six years of predoctoral support).
If you receive additional Kirschstein-NRSA support while this application is pending, you must
promptly report such information to the awarding component to which this application has been
assigned.

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23. Applications for Concurrent Support?
Applications for Concurrent Support? Yes/No

An answer to this question is required. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether the
fellowship applicant has applied or will be applying for other support that would run
concurrently with the period covered by this application.

If yes, describe in an attached file:

Attach this information as a PDF file. See NIH's Format Attachments page.
If you answered “Yes” to the “Applications for Concurrent Support?” question, you must provide
a description of the concurrent support. Include the type, dates, source(s), and amount in the
attachment.
If you receive any support from these other applications while this application is pending, you
must promptly report such information to the awarding component to which this application has
been assigned.

24. Citizenship
Information on Citizenship Requirements for Fellowship Applicants:
Individual Kirschstein-NRSA Fellowship Requirements: To be eligible for a Kirschstein-NRSA
individual fellowship (F30, F31, F32, F33), the fellowship applicant must be a citizen or non-citizen
national of the United States or of its possessions or territories, or must have been lawfully
admitted to the United States for permanent residence by the time the award is issued.
Individuals on temporary student visas are not eligible for NRSA support unless otherwise
specified in the FOA.
Non-NRSA Requirements: If you are applying for a non-NRSA fellowship program supported by
the NIH for which citizenship or permanent residency is not required (e.g., Fogarty International
Center programs, F99/K00), you must have a valid visa in your possession that allows you to
remain in the United States (or in a foreign research training setting, if applicable) long enough to
be productive on the proposed fellowship project. It is the responsibility of the sponsoring
institution to determine and document in the application that the individual fellowship
applicant’s visa will allow him or her to remain in the proposed research training setting for the
period of time necessary to complete the proposed fellowship. Information may be requested by
the NIH or another PHS Agency prior to issuance of an award.
All Fellowship Applicants:
Check the applicable boxes for the following questions:
U.S. Citizen: U.S. Citizen or Non-Citizen National? Yes/No

Check “Yes” if the candidate is a U.S. Citizen or Non-Citizen national; otherwise check “No.”
Non-Citizen nationals are people who, although not citizens of the United States, owe
permanent allegiance to the United States. They generally are people born in outlying
possessions of the United States (e.g., American Samoa and Swains Island).
If you answered “Yes,” skip the rest of “Question 31. Citizenship” and you can continue with
“Question 32. Change of Sponsoring Institution.”

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If you answered “No,” please continue to fill out the rest of “Question 31. Citizenship” following
the instructions below.
If “No” to U.S. Citizen or Non-Citizen National, please select the most appropriate response
from the options provided:
Non-U.S. Citizen With a Permanent U.S. Resident Visa:

Check this box if the fellowship applicant has been lawfully admitted for permanent
residence (i.e., is in the possession of a current and valid Permanent Resident Card or other
legal verification of such status).
A notarized statement will be required before an award is issued. The statement must show
that a licensed notary has seen the fellowship applicant’s valid Permanent Resident Card
(USCIS Form I-551) or other valid verification from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
Service of legal admission to the U.S.

Non-U.S. Citizen With a Temporary U.S. Visa:

Check this box if the fellowship applicant currently holds a temporary U.S. visa.

If you are a non-U.S. citizen with a temporary visa applying for an award that requires
permanent residency status, and expect to be granted a permanent resident visa by the start
date of the award, check here:
If the fellowship applicant has applied for permanent residence and expects to hold a
permanent resident visa by the earliest possible start date of the award, please check this
box to indicate that permanent residence status is pending. A notarized statement will be
required as a part of the pre-award process.

25. Change of Sponsoring Institution
Check this box if you are submitting your application with a change of sponsoring institution. If
the box is checked, you must also provide the name of the former sponsoring institution.

Budget Section
26. Tuition and Fees
Who must complete the “Tuition and Fees” section:

All fellowship applicants must complete this “Tuition and Fees” section.
Content:

Indicate whether funds are being requested for tuition and fees by checking the appropriate box
(“None Requested” or “Funds Requested”).
Predoctoral Fellowship Applicants: List, by year, the estimated costs of tuition and fees.

Postdoctoral and Senior Fellowship Applicants: List, by year, the costs associated with specific
course work (or a degree-granting program, if applicable) that supports the research training
experience and that are identified and described in the “Activities Planned Under this Award”
section of the Applicant’s Background and Goals for Fellowship Training attachment.

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For more information:

In accordance with the NIH Grants Policy Statement, Section 11.2.9.4: Institutional Allowance,
funds to offset the costs of health insurance are included in the standard Institutional Allowance,
and are not to be requested as part of Tuition and Fees.
Refer to the NIH Research Training and Career Development website for helpful resources and
FAQs about tuition and fees.

27. Present Institutional Base Salary
Who must complete the “Institutional Base Salary” section:

Only senior fellowship applicants should complete the “Institutional Base Salary” section.
Amount:

Provide your present base salary. The value must be in U.S. dollars.

Academic Period:

Indicate the period of time on which the salary is determined (e.g., academic year of 9 months,
full-time 12 months, etc.).

Number of Months:

Indicate the number of months per year you receive your base salary. The number may not be
more than 12, but may include a decimal to indicate partial months (e.g., 9.5).

28. Stipends/Salary During First Year of Proposed Fellowship
Who must complete the “Stipends/Salary During First Year of Proposed Fellowship” section:
Only senior fellowship applicants should complete the “Stipends/Salary During First Year of
Proposed Fellowship” section.
a. Federal Stipend Requested: Amount and Number of Months

Enter the amount of the stipend being requested for the initial period of support (i.e., the first
year of proposed fellowship) and the number of months requested.

b. Supplementation from Other Sources: Amount, Number of Months, Type, and Source

Enter the anticipated amount and the number of months (during the first year of the proposed
fellowship) for any stipend/salary supplementation. Also enter the type of supplementation
expected (e.g., sabbatical leave, salary, etc.) and the source of such funding.

Appendix
29. Appendix
Refer to the FOA to determine whether there are any special appendix instructions for your
application. See the updated NIH Guide Notice on the Appendix Policy.

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Format:

A maximum of 10 PDF attachments is allowed in the Appendix. If more
than 10 allowable appendix attachments are needed, combine the
remaining information into attachment #10.
Use filenames for attachments that are descriptive of the content.
A summary sheet listing all of the items included in the Appendix is
encouraged but not required. When including a summary sheet, it
should be included in the first appendix attachment.
Content:

The only allowable appendix materials are:




Blank data collection forms, blank survey forms, and
blank questionnaire forms - or screenshots thereof
Simple lists of interview questions
Note: In your blank forms and lists, do not include items such
as: data, data compilations, lists of variables or acronyms, data
analyses, publications, manuals, instructions, descriptions or
drawings/figures/diagrams of data collection methods or
machines/devices.




Blank informed consent/assent forms
Other items only if they are specified in the FOA as allowable appendix materials

No other items are allowed in the Appendix. Simply relocating
disallowed materials to other parts of the application will result in a
noncompliant application.
Some FOAs may have different instructions for the Appendix. Always
follow the instructions in your FOA if they conflict with these
instructions.
Note: Applications will be withdrawn and not reviewed if they
do not follow the appendix requirements in these instructions
or in your FOA.
Information that expands upon or complements information
provided in any section of the application - even if it is not required
for the review - is not allowed in the Appendix unless it is listed in
the allowed appendix materials above or in your FOA. For example,
do not include material transfer agreements (MTA) in the Appendix
unless otherwise specified in the FOA.
For more information:




The NIH Guide Notice on Reminder: NIH Applications Must Be
Complete and Compliant With NIH Policy and Application
Instructions At Time of Submission.
Failure of reviewers to address non-required appendix
materials in their reviews is not an acceptable basis for an

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appeal of initial peer review. For more information, see the NIH
Grants Policy Statement, Section 2.4.2: Appeals of Initial
Scientific Review.


Appendix Policy Frequently Asked Questions

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