Decoding RFAs, RFPs, and PAs

Charlotte Flipp Division of EpidemiologyAnne Everett Division of EpidemiologyKevin McKoskey Sponsored Projects Administration

Topics for Discussion

•PA (Program Announcement)

•RFA (Request for Application)

•RFP (Request for Proposal)

Top 3 Things To Do When Working on

PAs, RFAs, and RFPs

•Read the announcement•For RFAs and RFPs send

copies to your GA ASAP•Read the announcement

Program Announcement (PA)

• Identifies areas of increased priority and/or emphasis on particular funding mechanisms for a specific area of science

• Usually accepted on standard receipt (postmarked) dates on an on-going basis

• Remains active for three years from date of release unless the announcement indicates a specific expiration

Program Announcement (PA)

(Continued)• Method of submission (grants.gov, paper)• Executive Summary includes mechanism

of support, budget/project lengths, general information

• Special Types – PAR: A PA with special receipt, referral

and/or review considerations, as described in the PAR announcements

– PAS: A PA that includes specific set-aside funds as described in the PAS announcement

Request for Application (RFA)

• Identifies a more narrowly defined area for which one or more NIH institutes have set aside funds for awarding grants

Usually has a single receipt (received on or before) date specified in the RFA announcement

May require letter of intent prior to proposal submission

Request for Application (RFA)

(Continued) If paper submission multiple submit

to addresses Usually reviewed by a Scientific

Review Group convened by the issuing awarding component

Key to provide SPA notice and copy of RFA early in the process

Request for Application (RFA)

(Continued) Specific budgetary information

imbedded in announcement (Steering committee meetings, Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) meetings, conference calls, etc.)

Executive Summary includes mechanism of support, budget/project lengths, general information

Request for Proposal (RFP)

Solicits contract proposals. An RFP usually has one receipt date, as specified in RFP solicitation

Letter of Intent usually required to be sent to NIH

Distinct separation of Technical Proposal from Business Proposal

Request for Proposal (RFP)

(Continued) Specific packaging and delivery of

proposal instructions Statement of Work is clearly and

specifically defined Budget to be completed on the NIH

contract forms (Excel spreadsheet) Technical Proposal Cost Summary

is usually also required

Request for Proposal (RFP)

(Continued)• SPA needs to complete Institutional

forms (Rep & Certs,)• Small Business Plan if required• Usually requires copies of U/M

annual report, F & A rate agreement, etc..

• Key to notify and get SPA a copy early in process

Top 3 Things To Do When Working on

PAs, RFAs, and RFPs

•Read the announcement•For RFAs and RFPs send

copies to your GA ASAP•Read the announcement

Decoding RFAs, RFPs, and PAs

Charlotte Flipp Division of EpidemiologyAnne Everett Division of EpidemiologyKevin McKoskey Sponsored Projects Administration

• Any questions?

• Thank you!