Program Projects for Collaborative Research on the Basic Biology of Pluripotency and Reprogramming (P01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name and number of this NIH funding opportunity?

This funding opportunity is NIH RFA-GM-11-005, titled "Program Projects for Collaborative Research on the Basic Biology of Pluripotency and Reprogramming (P01)."

What is the main purpose of RFA-GM-11-005?

The purpose is to support multi-project, collaborative research programs that strengthen the basic scientific understanding of pluripotency and cellular reprogramming. A central goal is to clarify the molecular events and mechanisms that establish and maintain pluripotent states, with particular attention to epigenetics and epigenomics in pluripotent and reprogrammed cells.

What research focus is emphasized most strongly in this FOA?

The announcement is explicitly centered on human induced pluripotent stem cells (human iPSCs). Proposed projects are expected to use human iPSCs as the primary experimental system.

Are studies allowed to use models other than human iPSCs?

Yes. The FOA allows comparative work when it helps answer core biological questions. This can include other human stem cell types and/or non-human mammalian embryonic stem cells (ESCs), iPSCs, or embryo models, as long as the comparative studies illuminate fundamentals of pluripotency and reprogramming and do not replace the human iPSC focus.

What types of scientific questions is NIH trying to answer through this program?

The FOA targets mechanistic and foundational questions about how pluripotency is regulated and how reprogramming proceeds, including molecular events that establish and maintain pluripotent states. The description specifically highlights epigenetics and epigenomics, and examples of relevant themes include chromatin-state changes during reprogramming, establishment and stabilization of transcriptional networks, and how epigenomic remodeling correlates with functional pluripotency.

Is this opportunity focused on basic research or clinical translation?

It is focused on basic biology. The emphasis is on mechanisms and foundational principles rather than primarily translational or clinical endpoints, unless translational elements are used to sharpen mechanistic insight.

What is the funding mechanism for this opportunity?

The funding mechanism is the NIH P01 Program Project Grant.

What does a P01 Program Project Grant generally support?

A P01 generally supports coordinated, theme-driven research efforts with multiple interrelated projects working together under a unifying scientific objective. This mechanism typically favors applications where component projects are scientifically integrated, share resources or conceptual frameworks, and collectively produce advances that would be difficult to achieve through separate independent awards.

What kinds of collaboration or integration are expected across projects?

The FOA is geared toward teams that can demonstrate real synergy across projects, such as complementary experimental approaches, shared core technologies, coordinated data generation and analysis, and cross-project validation that strengthens overall conclusions about pluripotency regulation and reprogramming mechanisms.

Which NIH institutes are associated with anticipated support under this FOA?

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) indicated an intention to commit funds in fiscal year 2011 to support awards under this announcement. The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) also expected to contribute funding, reflecting interest in aspects intersecting with quantitative, technological, or bioengineering approaches relevant to understanding reprogramming and pluripotent states.

How many awards were expected to be made?

NIGMS indicated an intention to support up to three awards under this announcement, contingent on available appropriations and the submission of sufficiently strong applications.

What level of funding was described in the opportunity?

The opportunity listed an estimated total funding amount of $7,000,000. It also noted that NIBIB expected to contribute up to $250,000 in total costs per year, totaling up to $1.25 million over five years, and that awards depend on both funding availability and merit review outcomes.

Was an award ceiling mentioned?

Yes. The source information for this opportunity includes an award ceiling of $100,000 (as stated in the source data), along with the standard NIH note that final awards depend on available funds and the outcome of merit review.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to provide non-federal matching funds as a condition of the award.

What is the assistance listing category or type of award?

The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the health research domain.

Which CFDA numbers are associated with this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is associated with CFDA 93.286 (Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health) and CFDA 93.859 (Biomedical Research and Research Training).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status); small businesses; for-profit entities other than small businesses; and various levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special district governments). It also includes tribal governments and tribal organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, faith-based or community-based organizations, and eligible federal agencies.

Are minority-serving institutions included in eligibility?

Yes. The announcement explicitly includes Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), among others.

Does the FOA indicate what NIH is prioritizing in applicants given the broad eligibility?

The breadth of eligible organizations signals NIH was primarily focused on assembling the strongest, most integrated scientific teams, regardless of institutional type, provided applicants could meet NIH requirements for managing and executing a complex, collaborative program project.

When was the FOA posted, and what were the key dates?

The FOA was posted on September 15, 2010. The application closing date was December 1, 2010. The archive date was January 1, 2011.

Was this an ongoing opportunity or a time-limited call?

It was time-limited. The listed closing and archive dates indicate it was not an open, continuously accepted program announcement.

What kinds of approaches would likely strengthen an application under this FOA?

Based on the description, strong applications would be expected to present a clear biological rationale for why a coordinated program is needed; a plan to interrogate epigenetic and epigenomic mechanisms in human iPSCs; rigorous experimental design and attention to reproducibility; well-justified use of comparative models when they help answer core questions; and a convincing explanation of how component projects connect scientifically and produce synergy.

What is the issuing agency, and where was the full announcement made available?

The issuing agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The full announcement was made available through the NIH grants website.

Where was technical access support directed for the posting?

Technical access support was routed through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contact listed in the posting.