NIH to increase the use of Notices of Special Interest to publish research priorities

NIH to increase the use of Notices of Special Interest to publish research priorities

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced last summer that it is expanding and formalizing use of the Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) to solicit interest in specific scientific research topics. Each NOSI describes a specific area of research or program and points to Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) through which investigators can apply for support.

With the NOSI, NIH can expand or broaden existing Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) to include additional Institutes/Centers or topic areas, as appropriate. NOSIs will eventually replace non-parent Program Announcements that do not have special review criteria or set aside funds. NIH will continue to post full FOAs for requests for applications (RFAs), Program Announcements with special receipt/referral/review considerations (PARs) and Program Announcements with Set-aside funds (PASs).

Notices of Special Interest

• Succinctly highlight a specific topic of interest, for example a specific area of research or program
• Direct applicants to one or more active FOAs (often parent announcements) for submission of applications for the initiative described

Applicants are encouraged to contact the NIH Program Official listed on the NOSI for clarification prior to submission. Applicants must adhere to the guidance found in the FOA used for submission as well as any additional submission guidance described in the NOSI. When submitting a proposal, applicants must reference the relevant NOSI number in the Agency Routing Identifier field (4b of the SF424 R&R form) so NIH can assign and track applications and awards for the described initiative. Failing to do so will render the application nonresponsive.

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About the author:

Tara Morley serves as a Proposal Manager in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering (FSE), where she works with faculty to prepare and submit competitive sponsored research project proposals. Working under the FSE Vice Dean for Research and Innovation, she manages the unit's research development activities. Tara communicates sponsored project opportunities to the six Fulton schools, assists faculty with developing proposal strategies, connects researchers with resources (such as editing and graphic support), and works with Knowledge Enterprise to ensure large research teams are supported when in pursuit of project funding.

Email her at Tara.Morley@asu.edu.