Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) FAQs

Important Dates

1. When will the NIH accept applications?
   
   NIH will accept applications starting on January 10^th, 2025.
    
2. When are applications due?
   
   Applications for ECHO Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research are due by February 28^th, 2025. The ECHO Program Office will not consider applications submitted after February 28^th for funding.

Institutional Eligibility

3. Which ECHO Program awards are eligible to apply?
   
   The following ECHO Components can apply on behalf of a candidate: Cohort Study Site Awards, Cores (Laboratory Core, Measurement Core), and Centers (Coordinating Center, Data Analysis Center). Please submit applications through the parent grant, under the stipulations in PA-23-189 Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed).

Candidate Eligibility

4. What qualifies as an underrepresented group for the purposes of eligibility for ECHO Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research?
   
   The ECHO Program Office expects organizations to engage in outreach and recruitment activities to encourage prospective candidates from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from underrepresented groups, to explore opportunities that may be available through this program.
   
   Consistent with existing NIH practices and applicable law: (1) organizations may not use the race, ethnicity, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender status) of an individual to select or approve a candidate or other award participant; and (2) NIH does not use the race, ethnicity, or sex of candidates or other award participants in the application review process or funding decisions. Applicant organizations and award recipients are encouraged to consult with their General Counsel to ensure that all applicable laws and regulations are being followed with respect to application submission and award implementation.
    
5. At which career levels are candidates eligible for ECHO Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research?
   
   The following candidates are eligible for ECHO Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research:
    
   1. Graduate (predoctoral) and health professional (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., etc.) students in biomedical, behavioral, clinical or social sciences, and health professional students who wish to develop their research capabilities.
       
   2. Individuals in the postdoctoral research phase of their training (e.g., Postdoctoral, Medical Internship, Residency or Clinical Fellowship Training) who wish to participate as researchers in ongoing research projects and career development experiences in preparation for an independent career in health-related research.
6. Are early-stage investigators who are already faculty members eligible candidates for these supplements?
   
   No. Faculty members are not eligible candidates for this round of ECHO Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research. We encourage any early-stage investigators who are already faculty members to consider the ECHO Opportunities and Innovation Fund, which awards funding for two years to conduct innovative research.

Research Topics

7. What research topics can candidates propose as part of the ECHO Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research?
   
   Candidates must propose research that:
   • Addresses the mission of the ECHO Program;
   • Contributes to ECHO Cohort science;
   • Addresses at least one of the ECHO Program’s five key pediatric outcomes: pre-, peri-, and postnatal, upper and lower airway, obesity, neurodevelopment, and positive health, and;
   • Uses ECHO Cohort Platform data (contains identifiers) or de-identified ECHO Cohort data in the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository.
8. Can a candidate propose to collect additional data on ECHO participants?
   
   No, candidates may not propose to collect new data. Projects must use ECHO Cohort Platform data (contains identifiers) or de-identified ECHO Cohort data in the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository.
    
9. Can a candidate propose to analyze new biospecimens?
   
   No, candidates cannot propose to analyze new biospecimens. Candidates may use biospecimen data that is part of the ECHO Cohort NICHD DASH dataset or ECHO Cohort Platform data.

Application & Review Process

10. Who should submit the application?
    
    The contact principal investigator (PI) for a parent award should have their institutional representative apply on behalf of the candidate.
     
11. Can an award submit more than one application?
    
    No. Each parent award may submit no more than one application.
     
12. What is the length of support for supplements?
    
    The ECHO Program Office will fund these supplements for up to two years.
     
13. What criteria will the ECHO Program Office use to review applications?
    
    The ECHO Program Office will determine the merit of applications based on evaluation of the following three equally weighted components:
    • Candidate qualifications;
    • Career Development and Mentorship Plan, and;
    • Research Plan.
14. How will the ECHO Program Office evaluate the candidate’s qualifications?
    
    The ECHO Program Office will use the following elements of the application to assess the candidate’s qualifications:
     
    1. Candidate Biosketch: The personal statement of the candidate’s biographical sketch should address: A) evidence of scientific achievement and interest in pursuing a career in health research; B) short- and long-term research objectives and career goals; and C) description of how the planned activities will facilitate achieving their career goals. The candidate biosketch should use the NIH Fellowship Biosketch format.
        
    2. Letters of Support: While not required, the ECHO Program Office encourages applicants to have at least one letter from the candidate’s primary mentor. For guidance on how to attach letters of support, please consult the following link: SF 424 instructions on Letters of Support.
15. How will the ECHO Program Office evaluate the Career Development and Mentorship Plan?
    
    The Program Office will use the following elements to assess the Career Development and Mentorship Plan:
     
    3. Biosketches: Primary mentors and senior or key persons directly involved in activities related to the supplement should provide Biosketches that adhere to the NIH Biosketch format. Biosketches of mentors and other senior and key persons should provide evidence of past mentoring and training experience.
        
    4. Career Development & Mentorship: The Career Development and Mentorship Plan should provide:
       1. A detailed description of proposed research and professional development activities specific to the candidate to expand and foster their research capabilities and skills to successfully move towards their short- and long-term career goals;
           
       2. Description of proposed mentor-candidate interactions that are structured, specific, and stage-appropriate for the candidate and include parameters such as the frequency of meetings, topics for discussion, and how the mentor and candidate will monitor progress of the project;
           
       3. A projected timeline delineating specific research milestones and professional development activities that will advance the candidate’s career goals (i.e., anticipated publications, workshops), and;
           
       4. A description of how the mentor will assist the candidate in achieving the objectives and goals they have described in their candidate statement.
    5. Training Environment: The application should discuss the training environment throughout and demonstrate that there is a strong training environment such as institutional commitment to the candidate (e.g., access to facilities necessary to support the candidate’s research project) and opportunities for lateral mentoring opportunities (e.g., potential sustained and meaningful interactions with other students, postdocs, and junior faculty).
16. How will the ECHO Program Office evaluate the research plan?
    
    The Program Office will evaluate both the 1) summary of the funded parent grant project and 2) description of the candidate’s proposed research project.
     
    1. Summary of the funded parent grant project: The proposed research project should be within the scope of the parent grant and should be a logical extension of the parent grant goals and objectives. Applications for supplements must include a description of how the candidate's proposed research activities relate to one or more aims of the parent project.
        
    2. The description of the proposed research project: The proposed research must:
        
       1. Address the mission of the ECHO Program;
           
       2. Contribute to ECHO Cohort science;
           
       3. Address at least one of the ECHO Program’s five key pediatric outcomes: pre-, peri-, and postnatal, upper and lower airway, obesity, neurodevelopment, and positive health, and;
           
       4. Use ECHO Cohort Platform data (contains identifiers) or de-identified ECHO Cohort data in the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository.
          
          The research project description should include enough details for the Program Office to determine 1) the potential for scientific impact and 2) feasibility of the project for the two-year supplement award period. The research plan should also present evidence that the proposed experience is appropriate for the stage of the candidate’s research development and that it will significantly enhance his or her research potential, while furthering the candidate's ability to pursue a research career.
17. What is the page limit for the Research Plan?
    
    The page limit for the research plan is five pages. The specific aims should be part of the five pages.
     
18. What are the page limits for the compiled Statement of Eligibility section or any of the individual sections listed under Mentoring & Training Plan?
    
    There are no page limits for the mentoring and training plan, though typical mentoring plans are 4-5 pages. For the candidate’s statement of eligibility, about 1 page is typical.
     
19. How many letters of support or references must I include in my application?
    
    While letters of support are not required, the Program Office encourages applicants to have at least one letter from the Primary Mentor. Please use best judgment in including additional letters of support and consult guidance on SF 424 instructions on Letters of Support.

Budget

20. How much should applicants propose to budget for stipend and other expenses?
    
    NIH establishes stipend and other budgetary limits for National Research Service Award (NRSA) Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Trainees each fiscal year, and the ECHO program office uses these limits for supplements.
     
    1. Graduate (Predoctoral) and Health Professional Students enrolled in a doctoral degree program toward completion of a terminal scientific degree (e.g., Ph.D., Sc.D., M.D.)
       
       For more guidance on salary, please see PA-23-189Restrictionswhich states: “http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-017.html
        
    2. Individuals in Postdoctoral Training
       
       For more guidance on salary, please see PA-23-189, under Section IV. 6. Funding Restrictions, which states: “The requested annual salary must be in accordance with the salary structure of the grantee institution, consistent with the level of effort. Requested salary may not exceed the maximum allowable NRSA stipend level for postdoctoral fellows (with comparable levels of experience) in effect at the time of appointment (see: https://grants.nih.gov/training/nrsa.htm). Fringe benefits are provided in addition to salary and should be in accordance with the fringe benefits provided to other postdoctoral researchers at the awardee institution. The supplement budget may include up to $6,000 per year to support supplies and travel for the candidate.
21. Can the application budget $4,000 or $6,000 for travel and supplies in each of the two project years?
    
    Yes. Applications can budget up to $4,000 for predoctoral recipients or $6,000 for postdoctoral recipients per year for travel and supplies.

Other Questions

22. I am having trouble with the electronic submission system in ASSIST. How can I get assistance?
    
    If you need assistance, please contact the following for support:
    
    Application Submission Contacts:

    eRA Service Desk (Questions regarding ASSIST, eRA Commons, application errors and warnings, documenting system problems that threaten submission by the due date, and post-submission issues)

    Finding Help Online: http://grants.nih.gov/support/ (preferred method of contact)

    Telephone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)

    General Grants Information (Questions regarding application instructions, application processes, and NIH grant resources)

    Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov

    Grants.gov Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and Workspace)

    Contact Center Telephone: 800-518-4726

    Email: support@grants.gov

23. Whom do I contact if I have other questions?
    
    If you have any other questions, please contact Dr. Melissa Zajdel, PhD, ECHO Program Office, at melissa.zajdel@nih.gov