Submission Timelines

Follow the application timeline series below for a clear step-by-step grant submission guide for NIH, Department of Defense, and BARDA.

SBIR/STTR NIH Grant Application Process

January 5

April 5

September 5

Start application preparation
SBIR/STTR
Start your Phase I SBIR/STTR at least 6 weeks and Phase II SBIR/STTR as well as a Fast track SBIR/STTR application at least 8 weeks in advance of submission
Submission
5:00 pm local time on application due date
Track your submission in Grants.gov and eRA Commons and address any identified errors

Submission
Scientific review
2-3 months from submission
All grant applications submitted to the NIH go to the Center for Scientific Review (CSR).

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of standard review criteria, and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed).
Request Just-in-Time
2-3 weeks post review
After NIH releases priority scores, NIH sends an e-mail requesting Just-in-Time (JIT) information for grants within the competitive range for possible funding.

Request Just-in-Time
Advisory council review
2-3 months from review plus negotiations approx. 1-2 months
The Advisory Council of the potential awarding Institute performs the second level of review. They have access to applications and summary statements pending funding.

NIH program staff members examine applications and consider the overall impact scores given during the peer review process, percentile rankings (if applicable) and the summary statements in light of the Institute/Center’s priorities.
Approval
Following review of all applicable information, the IC will determine whether an award will be made, if special conditions are required, and what level of funding is appropriate.

Approval
Award
Total of 6-7 months from the date of submission

R01 and R21 NIH Research Grants Application Process

RO1 – Feb 5, June 5, Oct 5 (10 weeks), R21 – Feb 16, June 16, Oct 16 (8 weeks), other mechanisms: different deadlines depending on the solicitation

Start application preparation
R01 and R21
Start your R01 at least 8 weeks and R21 at least 6 weeks in advance of submission due date
Submission
5:00 pm local time on application due date
Track your submission in Grants.gov and eRA Commons and address any identified errors

Submission
Scientific review
4-5 months from submission
All grant applications submitted to the NIH go to the Center for Scientific Review (CSR).

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of standard review criteria, and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed).
Request Just-in-Time
2-3 weeks post review
For scored projects the NIH sends an e-mail requesting Just-in-Time (JIT) information for grants within the competitive range for possible funding.

Request Just-in-Time
Advisory council review
4-5 months from review, Pre-Award Process
The Advisory Council of the potential awarding Institute performs the second level of review. They have access to applications and summary statements pending funding.

NIH program staff members examine applications and consider the overall impact scores given during the peer review process, percentile rankings (if applicable) and the summary statements in light of the Institute/Center’s priorities.
Approval
Following review of all applicable information, the IC will determine whether an award will be made, if special conditions are required, and what level of funding is appropriate.

Approval
Award
Total of 8 - 9 months from the date of submission

Department of Defense (DoD) Grant Application Process

CDMRP, USAMRMC, etc.
Rolling Submission Deadlines

Start application preparation
CDMRP, USAMRC etc.
Most applications require a pre-application or LOI (Letter of Intent) submission. Start drafting your pre-application at least 2-4 weeks in advance of the pre-application submission deadline.
Pre-application submission
Pre-application review approx. 4-12 weeks
Receive invitation to submit a full application in approx. 4-12 weeks from submission of the pre-application

Pre-application submission
Invitation to submit a full application
Prepare full application
Pre-applications are screened and invitations to submit a full application are sent out. Dedicate 4-8 weeks of application preparation time
Full application submission
Midnight ET on application due date
Track your submission in Grants.gov and eBRAP and address any identified errors. Applications go under peer review and then programatic review following which the outcomes are shared with the applicant. the review process takes 3-5 months, depending on the mechanism.

Full application submission
Final decision
2-3 months from review plus negotiations approx. 1-2 months
Projects which the DoD intends to fund submit additional documentation (human subjects, vertebrate animals, etc) as requested
Award
Total of 6-8 months from the date of submission
Award

BARDA Application Process

Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority Rolling Submission Deadlines

Techwatch meeting
Recommended step in advance of applying for BARDA funding
Request a Techwatch meeting with BARDA officials and present your project at the meeting in order to get feedback on the suitability of your project for BARDA.
Start pre-application preparation
8 weeks to prepare pre-application
Submit a Market Research Abstract (Whitepaper)

Start pre-application preparation
Pre-Application Submission
Pre-application review approx. 90 days
Submit your application through the BDR portal
Invitation to submit a full application
Prepare full application
Applicants who are invited submit a full application also receive specific feedback and questions regarding the proposal, and may discuss the full submission with BARDA officials. Typically an applicant will be instructed to submit the full application within 90 days from the invitation. Full application requires a Technical Proposal and attachments and Cost Proposal and attachments as well as a detailed budget.

Invitation to submit a full application
Full application submission
5:00 pm local time on application due date
The review process takes 3-5 months
Contract Negotiations
6-12 week period within the 3-5 month review process
If there is interest in funding the project, BARDA officials will discuss specific points that were raised during Peer Review as well as request updated proposal sections for the final contract, also referred to as Contract Negotiations.

Contract Negotiations
Award

Make sure you are registered for all the relevant portals. Start the registration process at least 6-8 weeks in advance of submission. Not yet registered? Follow our step-by-step registration guide or contact us!

Registration Guide