Overview of the Application Process

• AHRQ receives new and amended applications following the receipt dates specified under Application Submission Dates at: http://www.ahrq.gov/funding/process/dates/index.html.
• After AHRQ receives your application, it is logged in, given a unique Application ID number and then it is assigned to a peer review group (study section committee) or to a special emphasis panel.
• You will receive written notification indicating your review assignment within six weeks. CSR mails application to reviewers to read and asks them to streamline the list of applications.
• Your application will undergo initial peer review at AHRQ.
• After the application review has been conducted, you will receive a summary statement with the review results within three months.
• AHRQ decides which applications to fund based on scientific and technical merit, Agency research priorities and availability of grant funds.
• If your application is approved for funding, an AHRQ Grants Management staff member will contact the applicant institution to negotiate the terms of the grant award. A Notice of Grant Award will then be sent electronically to the applicant institution, usually within six weeks of the funding decision.
• If your application did not get funded, you may contact your Project Officer to discuss options for revising and resubmitting the application.

Application ID Number

What does the Application ID number mean?

After the grant application assignment is made, the NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR) will give your application a unique identification number that looks like this:

1 R01 HS055555 01 A1 S1

The Application ID number tells us about the grant.

• The first number is the application type (e.g., new is Type 1), which describes whether your application is new, a renewal, a non-completing application or other type. Type 2 is used for a competing continuation application—these grant applications are peer reviewed and compete with new Type 1 applications for funds.
• Next is the activity code (also called funding mechanism), the three digit identifier of a specific grant mechanism or grant award type. For example, a research project grant is an R01. For a list of grant types (activity codes) that AHRQ supports, go to Current Funding Mechanisms Used by AHRQ.
• The next two-letter abbreviation is the Agency code; AHRQ's code is HS.
• Next is the unique serial number assigned by the CSR.
• Next is the suffix showing the support year for the grant.
• Last is a code for a supplement, or amendment, to a grant application.

Current Funding Mechanisms Used by AHRQ