An Exciting Change in NIH Resubmission Policy

Some great news out of the NIH/AHRQ today! They've changed their resubmission policy so that PIs no longer need to change their grant applications significantly to submit again after two unsuccessful tries.

In 2009, the NIH changed their three strike policy to two strikes, where a PI could submit an A0 grant, and then respond to reviewer feedback in only one resubmission. If they were unsuccessful that time, in subsequent submissions, they would need to "demonstrate significant changes in scientific direction compared to the previous submissions."

The NIH did this to cut down on the time it took them to award meritorious grant proposals. However, they have re-designed the policy, partly because they found that the 2009 policy affected early-career investigators seeking NIH funding in particular as they have difficulty in shifting their research direction as they are just forming it.

Under the new policy, a PI still can have only one resubmission where they respond to reviewer feedback and the reviewers see those summary statements. After an unsuccessful resubmission, PIs may now resubmit the same idea as an A0 (without any response to reviewers' past comments). Reviewers will be instructed to review these grants as if they are new (whether or not they recognize them from past submissions).

It is still important that PIs take reviewer feedback on a resubmission seriously and incorporate good suggestions into their grant moving forward. But no longer do you have to focus on overhauling your entire research agenda when you've gotten a second strike.

Resources:
NIH/AHRQ Updated Policy Announcement
A Change in Our Resubmission Policy - Dr. Sally Rockey
NIH Fairy Grants Your Wish for Unlimited A0s - Medical Writing, Editing, and Grantsmanship