Research Supplements to Promote Re Entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers (Admin Supp) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): PA-15-321 Research Supplements to Promote Re-Entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers (Admin Supp)

What is PA-15-321?

PA-15-321 is an NIH administrative supplement opportunity titled "Research Supplements to Promote Re-Entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers (Admin Supp)." It is led by the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) in partnership with multiple participating NIH Institutes and Centers.

What is the main purpose of this supplement program?

The central goal is to help capable researchers restart active biomedical or behavioral research careers after a significant career interruption. The program is designed to support a structured return to research through paid, hands-on research work combined with mentorship and skill refreshing.

Is this funding meant for a new standalone research grant?

No. This is an administrative supplement, meaning it provides additional funds to an already active NIH-supported research award (the "parent" award). It does not fund a brand-new independent project by itself.

What does "administrative supplement" mean in this context?

It means the supplement adds funds to an existing, funded NIH project to extend or expand the scope of that project for a specific purpose: supporting a re-entry candidate on the parent research team in a mentored and structured way.

Who is the supplement intended to support?

The supplement is intended to support an individual who is returning to biomedical or behavioral research after a significant career interruption. The interruption is described as most commonly due to family responsibilities, but other qualifying life circumstances may also apply.

What kinds of activities does the re-entry participant do under the supplement?

The re-entry participant contributes meaningfully to the scientific aims of the funded parent grant while also using the re-entry period to update research skills and knowledge, rebuild a publication and collaboration track record, and reconnect with the day-to-day practice of competitive research.

Can the re-entry research effort be part-time, or must it be full-time?

The supplement can support either full-time or part-time research effort. This flexibility can be important for individuals who are still managing ongoing family responsibilities while transitioning back into research.

What outcomes is the program trying to enable for the returning researcher?

The program is framed as a bridge back to an active and productive research trajectory. It aims to help the returning scientist rebuild momentum so they are more competitive for independent funding or for longer-term research positions.

Is the program limited to a single research field or discipline?

No. The scope is broad and aligned with NIH-wide missions. The opportunity references many NIH-related CFDA areas, reflecting that the re-entry supplement mechanism can apply across a wide range of biomedical and behavioral research areas as long as the parent award and proposed activities fit the mission of the supporting NIH Institute or Center.

What are examples of research areas that may be covered?

The announcement is associated with a wide range of NIH research areas, including (as examples) environmental health, oral health, human genome research, deafness and communication disorders, complementary and integrative health, sleep disorders, mental health, alcohol research, drug abuse and addiction, translational sciences, minority health and health disparities, nursing research, cancer research manpower, cardiovascular and pulmonary research, blood diseases, arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases, neurosciences and neurological disorders, allergy and infectious diseases, microbiology, general biomedical research and training, aging, and vision research, among others.

Who applies for this opportunity: the individual researcher or the organization?

The applicant is the organization that holds an active NIH research grant that can receive an administrative supplement. An individual does not apply independently without a parent award.

What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicant organizations listed include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and a range of government entities such as state, county, city/township, special district governments, public housing authorities, independent school districts, and tribal governments and organizations.

Are minority-serving institutions specifically mentioned as eligible?

Yes. The eligibility description highlights categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, among others.

Are foreign organizations eligible to apply as the applicant organization?

No. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations under this opportunity.

Are foreign components allowed at all?

Foreign components, as defined by NIH policy, may be allowed. However, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. This distinction can matter for organizations with international branches or affiliates.

How does the supplement relate to the parent grant's scientific aims?

The supplement supports the re-entry participant while they contribute to the scientific aims of the parent project. The re-entry activities are meant to be integrated into and supportive of the funded research, while also providing mentorship and research experience for the returning scientist.

Is this program intended for general training of someone without prior research preparation?

No. The opportunity emphasizes support for individuals with high potential and frames the supplement as a bridge back to a productive research career, rather than a general training award for someone without prior research preparation.

When was this funding opportunity posted, and is it still open?

The opportunity was posted in August 2015. The original and current closing date listed is September 29, 2018, with an archive date of October 30, 2018. Based on those dates, this particular announcement is no longer open for new submissions.

Who is the sponsoring agency?

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Which NIH office leads this program?

The program is led by the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH), in partnership with multiple participating NIH Institutes and Centers.

Where should applicants look for the official announcement details and instructions?

The provided source indicates the full announcement is available on the NIH Grants Guide page for PA-15-321. That is where applicants would normally confirm application instructions, allowable costs, supplement duration, and any Institute- or Center-specific considerations.

Who should be contacted for technical access or linking issues related to the listing?

The primary contact route mentioned for technical access or linking issues is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster.

What is the overall workforce goal behind this opportunity?

The opportunity is described as a targeted NIH retention and workforce re-entry tool. It aims to reduce the career penalty associated with stepping away for caregiving or other life events by leveraging existing funded projects to provide salary support, mentorship, and a concrete research environment for rebuilding skills, confidence, and competitiveness.