Paper No More, Use 424 (R&R)

Submitting Grants to AHRQ Using the SF 424 (R&R)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is in the process of transitioning to electronic submission through Grants.gov for all AHRQ competing research and training applications. We are also simultaneously transitioning from the PHS application form to the SF 424 Research and Related (R&R).

This transition is occurring in stages based on the specific mechanism. An announcement will precede each mechanism transitioned, giving the date when electronic submission and use of the SF 424 will be required. Go to http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/timeline.htm for the transition timeline for each research grant program.

Select to download print version (PDF File, 300 KB).

What is Grants.gov?
What Are The Advantages of Electronic Applications?
Tips for Success
Why use the SF 424 family of forms?
What is AHRQ's Current Transition Plan For Electronic Submission?
SF 424 (R&R) Components
Agency-specific Components
Why Call Them PHS 398?
Features of the SF 424 (R&R)
Where Do I Go For Help?
   Electronic Submission Web Site
   Grants Information
   Grants.gov
   eRA Commons

What is Grants.gov?

A cross-agency initiative involving 26 grantmaking agencies and over $350 billion in annual awards.
The Federal Government's single, on-line portal for any person, business, or State, local and tribal government to electronically:
- Find grant opportunities.
- Apply for grants.

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What Are The Advantages of Electronic Applications?

Standardized application format.
Improved data quality (e.g., automated business validations).
Faster processing in Receipt and Referral.
Applications to reviewers faster, reducing time from receipt to award.
Clearer grant image.
Reduced costs for scanning, printing, and data entry.

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Tips for Success

Register early! Visit the NIH Preparing for Electronic Submission Web site at http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/preparing.htm to learn how to prepare for the changes ahead.
The NIH Forms and Applications Web site at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm has application guides and sample application packages for the SF 424 (R&R). These cannot be used for actual submission, but they are a great resource to gain familiarity with the new processes.
Follow all instructions carefully.
Be mindful of the differences in terminology pointed out in the application guide. For example: Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) in Grants.gov = Signing Official (SO) in eRA Commons.

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Why use the SF 424 family of forms?

SF 424 consolidates forms currently used by Federal grantmaking agencies.
- Applicants can use standard forms regardless of the program or agency to which they are applying.
- Administrative burden on the Federal grants community will be reduced.
SF 424 (R&R) is the government-wide data set for research grant applications.

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What is AHRQ's Current Transition Plan For Electronic Submission?

AHRQ will transition by individual research and training grant mechanisms.
AHRQ will announce plans to transition mechanisms in NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts.
ALL applications in response to announcements for transitioned mechanisms will require electronic submission through Grants.gov on the SF 424 family of forms.
Mechanisms not yet transitioned will continue to require submission on PHS 398 on paper or through service providers.
In general, Funding Opportunity Announcements will be posted in Grants.gov “Apply” at least 2 months before the initial submission date. During the transition period, every effort will be made to post as soon as possible without conflicting with paper submission dates.
Transition timeline is available at http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/timeline.htm.

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SF 424 (R&R) Components

SF 424 (R&R)—referred to as the cover component
Research & Related Project/Performance Site Location(s)
Research & Related Other Project Information
Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile
Research & Related Budget
Research & Related Personal Data
Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form

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Agency-specific Components

AHRQ requires additional data collection to accommodate the unique information required for review of its health services research portfolio. Therefore, AHRQ and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have also developed the following agency-specific components (titled PHS 398):

PHS 398 Cover Letter File
PSH 398 Cover Page Supplement (supplements the R&R Cover)
PHS 398 Research Plan
PHS 398 Checklist

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Why Call Them PHS 398?

A generic term was required since other HHS agencies will use these forms.
PHS 398 is the OMB-cleared data collection instrument that gives AHRQ and NIH the authority to request these additional data elements.

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Features of the SF 424 (R&R)

SF 424 (R&R) data is arranged in components.
Not all components will be used for every Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).
Agencies "construct" application packages for each FOA.
AHRQ will use several "standard" packages.
The FOA will indicate which components are required and which are optional.
Each FOA will have the appropriate application package attached.
A complete application to AHRQ will include a combination of (R&R) components and agency-specific (PHS 398) components.
The applicant must complete the application using the package attached to the particular FOA (information is drawn from the specific FOA and used in the forms).
Applicants cannot use any sample form packages or form packages from other announcements.
Application components include specific data fields as well as multiple attachments.
The applicant will complete data entry in all necessary components and upload appropriate attachments.
Most attachments are text.
AHRQ will require PDF files for text attachments.
After submission, the eRA system will:
- Generate a table of contents.
- Assemble the grant image.
- Include headers (Principal Investigator name) and footers (page numbers) on all pages.
Applicants (Project Director/PI and Authorized Organizational Representative) will review and verify.

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Where Do I Go For Help?

Electronic Submission Web Site

For up-to-date information on electronic submission and the SF 424 (R&R): http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt.

Grants Information

For AHRQ funding opportunities, application guidelines, and grant-related resources contact:

George "Skip" Moyer
(301) 427-1452
Monday—Friday
8:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m. ET
skip.moyer@ahrq.hhs.gov
Web site: http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/
E-mail: e-grants@ahrq.hhs.gov

Grants.gov

For information about Grants.gov registration, PureEdge™ software and form navigation:

Web site: http://grants.gov
Toll-free: 1-800-518-4726
Fax: (301) 480-0525
Phone support: Monday—Friday
Hours: 7:00 a.m.—9:00 p.m. ET
E-mail: support@grants.gov

eRA Commons

For information about eRA Commons registration, application validation, and post-submission functionality:

eRA Commons Web site: https://commons.era.nih.gov/commons/index.jsp

eRA Web site: http://era.nih.gov
Telephone: (301) 402-7469
Toll-free: 1-866-504-9552
TTY: (301) 451-5939
Phone support: Monday—Friday
Hours: 7:00 a.m.—8:00 p.m. ET
E-mail: commons@od.nih.gov

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AHRQ Publication No. 06-M012
Revised March 2006

Internet Citation:

Submitting Grants to AHRQ Using the SF 424 (R&R)—Paper No More, Use 424 (R&R). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. AHRQ Publication No. 06-M012, March 2006. http://www.ahrq.gov/grants/submitsf424.htm

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