Frequently Asked Questions for Global Brain Disorders Research

Find below answers to frequently asked questions for applicants to Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research across the Lifespan (R21 Clinical Trials Optional) (PAR-18-836) and Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) (PAR-18-835).

You can also submit questions to brainfic@nih.gov. Please copy Fogarty Global Brain Disorders Program Officer Dr. Kathleen Michels Kathleen.Michels@nih.gov and the contact person for the participating institute most relevant to the application as listed on the announcement.

Please check this page for updates.

Updated October 17, 2018

1. How do I determine which participating NIH Institute or Office will be assigned to my R01 application?
   
   Because Fogarty does not typically issue the R01 grant awards, applicants should consult early with the participating NIH Institute most relevant to their application since that Institute will make the award. See the announcement for information on the specific research interests of each of the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) sponsors. Please indicate which Institute has expressed interest in taking assignment of the R01 in the letter of intent and application cover letter.
   
   
2. How do I determine the income category of a country?
   
   Income categories are defined by The World Bank Country and Lending Groups. (You can download an easy-to-read version of the country classification table at the bottom of The World Bank page. Country classifications are revised annually.)
   
   The designation "low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)" used in the FOA includes low-income, lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income countries.
   
   
3. Which individuals are eligible to submit applications?
   
   One or more investigators from a U.S. institution or an upper-middle-income country institution must collaborate with one or more investigators from an LMIC institution. If there are multiple PD/PIs, the contact PD/PI may be from any of the eligible countries or institutions.
   
   Investigators from high-income country institutions outside the U.S. are not eligible as PD/PIs, but may be included as consultants.
   
   
4. What are the eligible country income categories for collaborations?
   
   Scientists at U.S. or at upper-middle-income country institutions must partner with scientists at low-income, lower-middle-income or upper-middle-income country institutions. The application may be submitted by the U.S. or by the eligible foreign institution. Eligible collaborations include the following scenarios:
   
   • U.S. institutions can partner with:
   • low-income country institutions
   • lower-middle-income country institutions
   • upper-middle-income country institutions
   • Upper-middle-income country institutions can partner with U.S. institutions and/or with:
   • low-income country institutions
   • lower-middle-income country institutions
   • other upper-middle-income country institutions, but the institutions must be in different countries
   A U.S. partner institution is not required for upper-middle-income country collaborations.
   
   Foreign, high-income country institutions are not eligible partners under this FOA.
   
   
5. Who provides pre-approval for budgets over $500,000?
   
   All NIH applications over $500,000 need to be pre-approved for submission by the NIH Institute that will be assigned to the grant. Since Fogarty does not make Global Brain Disorders R01 awards, pre-approval does not come from Fogarty. Please discuss budget pre-approval with the appropriate agency contact and, if applicable, with your current program officer.
   
   You can also review NIH guidelines on the difference between allowable direct costs and allowable facilities and administrative (F&A) costs; and the October 2001 notice (NOT-OD-02-004) on the revised policy on the acceptance for review of unsolicited applications that request $500,000 or more in direct costs.
   
   
6. How do you determine whether to use a modular or detailed budget?
   
   If you are a U.S. applicant and your direct costs are less than $250,000 per year (minus any consortium/subcontract F&A costs), use the modular budget. Otherwise, use the detailed SF424 R&R Budget form.
   
   Foreign applicants must use the detailed budget forms.
   
   
7. Who needs an eRA Commons ID when applying for a competing award?
   
   While we highly encourage foreign collaborators and sub-award principal investigators to have an eRA Commons account, only the primary PI or any multiple PIs are required to have Commons ID in the competing applications.