What is a Continuous Submission?

If a PI has participated in the peer review process, s/he may be eligible for a perk called Continuous Submission.

How does it work?

NIH evaluates applications by a dual peer review process as mandated by statute, in accordance with section 492 of the Public Health Service Act and federal regulations governing "Scientific Peer Review of Research Grant Applications and Research and Development Contract Projects."

The first level of review is carried out by a Scientific Review Group (SRG) composed primarily of non-federal scientists who have expertise in relevant scientific disciplines and current research areas. The second level of review is performed by Institute and Center (IC) National Advisory Councils or Boards. Councils are composed of both scientific and public representatives chosen for their expertise, interest, or activity in matters related to health and disease.

As a way of recognizing their service to NIH, reviewers with substantial review service are permitted to submit their research grant applications (R01, R21, or R34) on a continuous basis and to have those applications undergo initial peer review in a timely manner. This process is referred to as Continuous Submission and applies to those peer reviewers with recent substantial service (six times in 18 months).

It is important to note that the Continuous Submission option ONLY applies to the R01, R21, and R34 Activity Codes and ONLY to FOAs using those activities with standard submission dates.

How do I check my PI's Continuous Status?

You may check your PI's continuous status by following the below steps:

1. In eRA Commons, from the Advanced Search Tab under accounts, you can search by PI and one of the columns is CS Eligible. If they are eligible, it says yes; if they are not, it is blank.

2. If you are delegated to see their personal profile, it can be found under the Reviewer Specific tab in their personal profile along with the committees they have served on.

3. There is a list online at this link http://grants.nih.gov/grants/peer/CS_2012_combined.pdf.

Additionally, if the Principal Investigator (PI) is also the Signing Official (SO), that person will need two separate accounts since Continuous Submission status is only tracked for PIs.

Questions? Please contact your Contracts and Grants Officer.