EVPR has been putting together a collection of Frequently Asked Questions regarding funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  If you have any additional questions that you would like to see posted to this web-page, please email researchinitiatives@columbia.edu.

1) I'd like to submit for ARRA funding.  What's the first thing I should do?
2) I'm not sure how to answer some of these additional requirements for the ARRA application.
3) If my ARRA grant application requires a letter of support, what should I do?
4) If I am awarded ARRA funds, will there be special terms and conditions?
5) How can I be immediately informed of new ARRA funding opportunities?
6) Where can I find the latest ARRA funding opportunities on NIH, NSF and DOE?
7) I'm interested in applying for an ARRA funding opportunity that states only one application per institution will be accepted.  How will I know I am eligible?
8) How do ARRA funds have to be obligated? 
9) What is the difference between a "Limited Competition" and a "Limited Submission"?
10) I am applying for an ARRA opportunity that requires a Letter of Intent.  What should I do?
11) I'm not sure whether to use the PHS 398 paper application forms, or prepare an electronic application using the SF 424 forms.  What should I do?
12) Are indirect costs (IC/F&A/Overhead) allowed to be requested on the NIH Supporting New Faculty Recruitment to Enhance Research Resources through Biomedical Research Core Centers (P30), RFA-OD-09-005?
13) How do we claim and report on the jobs created and/or retained that are covered by indirect costs?
14) Are foreign scientists working at domestic institutions eligible to be Principal Investigators, Key Personnel, and/or other personnel supported by an NIH ARRA Award?
15) Will I be allowed to transfer my NIH ARRA award to another institutions?

1. I'd like to submit for ARRA funding.  What's the first thing I should do?
First, you should review all the available ARRA funding opportunities for which you may be eligible for.  All available ARRA funding opportunities appropriate for Columbia University faculty are listed on our special ARRA website, http://evpr.columbia.edu/content/stimulus-arra.  The listings are grouped by funding agency.

The next thing you should do is talk with your SPA Project Officer.  The Project Officers are assigned by campus and department.  A listing of Project Officers is available on the SPA website here:
http://spa.columbia.edu/about-us/department-assignments

Informing your Project Officer of your intent to apply for ARRA funding is very important.  Due to the volume of proposals expected to be submitted for ARRA funding, informing your Project Officer helps them prepare and plan ahead for deadlines to better manage this increased volume.  They are also able to advise you on how to assemble and prepare for the submission of your application, whether submitted electronically or prepared on paper.

--return to top of page--


2.  I'm not sure how to answer some of these additional requirements for the ARRA application.  For example, I am asked to provide evidence of successful Technology Transfer and Innovation at Columbia University.  How can I obtain assistance with these questions?
The Office of the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR) has created a template to assist you with addressing additional subjects beyond the normal requirements for evidence of innovative research objectives and good scholarship.  You can find this template on the ARRA website here:
http://evpr.columbia.edu/files_sponsoredprojectprocedures/imce_shared/ARRA_template_material_042409_GC.pdf

--return to top of page--


3.  If my ARRA grant application requires a letter of support, what should I do?
You should obtain a letter from the Chairman of your department, or the Dean of your school clearly stating their institutional support for the grant.  The letter should also include the total dollar amounts being requested.

--return to top of page--


4.  If I am awarded ARRA funds, will there be special terms and conditions?
Yes!  ARRA funds must be accounted separately from any other funding sources.  If you should be awarded a grant with ARRA funds, SPA will ensure a separate account is created for spending.

Should you apply for or receive NIH ARRA funds, you should read the full announcement (NOT-OD-09-080) published by NIH on 4/3/2009:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-080.html

Sponsors may differ slightly on their reporting requirements.  A good place to start becoming familiar with some of the general special terms and conditions and reporting requirements is to review the "Accountability & Reporting Requirements" posted on our website here:
http://evpr.columbia.edu/content/accountability-reporting-requirements

--return to top of page--


5.  How can I be immediately informed of new ARRA funding opportunities?
EVPR publishes a weekly update via a listserv that outlines new funding opportunities, policy updates and the latest ARRA news.  If you are not receiving these weekly emails, contact Greg Culler in the Office of Research Initiatives at gcc19@columbia.edu.

In addition, you can see the weekly University communications on our website here:
http://evpr.columbia.edu/content/university-communications-

--return to top of page--


6.  Where can I find the latest ARRA funding opportunities on NIH, NSF and DOE?
All of the latest opportunities are broken down by funding agency on our website:
http://evpr.columbia.edu/content/funding-opportunities

EVPR has attempted to provide funding summaries for each funding agency.  In addition, you can go to Grants.gov:
http://grants.gov/applicants/recovery.jsp

--return to top of page--


7. I'm interested in applying for an ARRA funding opportunity that states only one application per institution will be accepted.  How will I know I am eligible?
Anytime a sponsor restricts the number of applications to be submitted by an institution is considered a limited submission.  The Office of Research Initiatives (RI) is responsible for administering the nomination process for limited submission funding opportunities.  RI will provide the application requirements and deadlines for the internal competition and ad hoc committees are appointed to review applications and assist in the selection of the University's nominees.

Limitations on the number of applications per institution are divided by the Morningside Campus and Medical Center.  Each campus is considered its own institution.  There are several ways the campuses are identified separately.  Depending on the sponsor's requirements, they may ask for any of the following:

Research Initiatives will ensure that applications for nomination consideration are divided by campus accordingly.

For questions concerning the internal nomination process, please contact the Office of Research Initiatives at researchinitiatives@columbia.edu.

--return to top of page--


8.  How do ARRA funds have to be obligated?
The duration of spending varies by sponsoring agency.  In general, most agencies state funds must be obligated by 9/30/2010.  The following copy of the major sponsoring agencies' published spending guidelines:

NIH - All ARRA funds must be obligated by NIH no later than September 30, 2010. In general, this will mean ARRA project period end dates will be no later than September 29, 2011. However, all ARRA awards are subject to the standard terms of award as indicated in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, including the authority to extend the final budget period of a previously approved project period for up to 12 months without additional funds.

NSF - Given the goals of the Recovery Act, awardees will be informed that they are expected to expend funds in a timely manner on allowable award costs and that NSF will be monitoring awards for expenditures. If, after 12 months, no allowable expenditures have taken place, NSF may consider reducing or terminating the award and reallocating the funds.

--return to top of page--


9.  What is the difference between a "Limited Competition" and a "Limited Submission"?
Many of the ARRA notices published by NIH state the funding is a "Recovery Act Limited Competition."  This means that the announcement is a one-time-only solicitation, and resubmissions are not permitted. 

A "Limited Submission" is when a sponsor restricts the number of applications to be submitted for a funding opportunity by an institution.  The Office of Research Initiatives (RI) is responsible for administering the nomination process for limited submission funding opportunities.  RI will provide the application requirements and deadlines for the internal competition and ad hoc committees are appointed to review applications and assist in the selection of the University's nominees.

See more on limited submissions here. [add link to RI].

--return to top of page--


10.  I am applying for an ARRA opportunity that requires a Letter of Intent.  What should I do?
Read the instructions carefully of the funding announcement on how to submit your letter of intent, and what to include in the letter.  The announcement will provide a contact name and address in order to submit your letter.  Please also cc your SPA Project Officer on the letter.

--return to top of page--


11.  I'm not sure whether to use the PHS 398 paper application forms, or prepare an electronic application using the SF 424 forms.  What should I do?

NIH
Currently, only the ARRA NIH Administrative Supplements, NOT-OD-09-056 and NOT-OD-09-060, and the NIH Supporting New Faculty Recruitment to Enhance Research Resources through Biomedical Research Core Centers (P30), RFA-OD-09-005, allow for requests to be submitted on the paper PHS 398 forms.  Each NIH Institute has special application instructions.

For the NIH administrative supplements, many of announcements ask to email the application to specific designated individuals within each Institute/Center (IC).  It is very important to review the specific IC's web site for instructions on submitting administrative supplements at http://grants.nih.gov/recovery/ic_supp.html.  If you need assistance with identifying the appropriate application instructions, please contact your SPA Project Officer.

All other NIH notices, so far, must be submitted electronically.  Applicants have the option of using Adobe or InfoEd to create and submit their applications to Grants.gov.  For assistance, please contact your SPA Project Officer, or the infoedhelpdesk@columbia.edu. 

Other Sponsors
As the sponsors announce their opportunities, each opportunity will have its own set of submission instructions.  While submitted through Grants.gov is the norm, some agencies were given the option to accept applications via alternative means due to the high volume of applications being submitted to Grants.gov.  You must read the specific application instructions.  For example, some of the DOE opportunities may be required to be submitted through Grants.gov, while others may not.

--return to top of page--


12.  Are indirect costs (IC/F&A/Overhead) allowed to be requested on the NIH Supporting New Faculty Recruitment to Enhance Research Resources through Biomedical Research Core Centers (P30), RFA-OD-09-005?
Yes, all of the NIH Institutes & Centers allow indirect costs on the P30 grant opportunity (NOT-OD-09-005).  However, some NIH ICs have restrictions on the amount of direct and total costs allowed.  Please check with the specific NIH IC on funding restrictions at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/contacts/RFA-OD-09-005_contacts.htm

--return to top of page--


13) How do we claim and report on the jobs created and/or retained, which are covered by indirect costs?
In writing a grant proposal, you must avoid any claims of job creation from ICR.  However, in the "frosting-on-the-cake" mode of grant-writing, you can point out that Columbia University as a whole (and CUMC in specific, if appropriate to the grant) are substantial employers and that ICR does support this wage base.  Please see the additional template below for grant-writing.

Furthermore, as stated in the recent OMB Guidelines:
"Recipients should not attempt to report on the employment impact on materials suppliers and central service providers (so-called "indirect" jobs) or on the local community ("induced" jobs). Employees who are not directly charged to Recovery Act supported projects/activities, who, nonetheless, provide critical indirect support, e.g., clerical/administrative staff preparing reports, institutional review board staff members, departmental administrators, are NOT counted as jobs created/retained. Recipients report only direct jobs because they may not have sufficient insight or consistent methodologies for reporting indirect or induced jobs. The Council of Economic Advisers is developing a macro-economic methodology to account for the overall employment impact of the Recovery Act."

Template Material:
‘Moreover, on top of the direct jobs created and retained from this proposal, historically, a very substantial portion of Facilities and Administrative Costs support administrative support staff. Incremental funds are a direct source of support for this wage base, either to add positions or to avoid reductions that would otherwise be needed in this economic environment.  Last year, Columbia University was determined to be the seventh largest non-governmental employer in New York City, spending in excess of $1.25 billion in payroll.  Columbia University Medical Center is the second largest employer in the Washington Heights-Inwood community.'

--return to top of page--


14) Are foreign scientists working at domestic institutions eligible to be Principal Investigators, Key Personnel, and/or other personnel supported by an NIH ARRA Award?
Yes, foreign nationals working in the US are eligible to work and be compensated with ARRA provided they are employed by a domestic institution and are in the country under valid visas. It is the grantee institution's responsibility to assure that an individual's visas will allow them to remain in this country long enough for them to be productive on the research project.  NIH does not provide guidance on or assess the different types of visas.  Grantee organizations are expected to have consistently applied policies in place to address this area.

There is a restriction in Section 1611 of ARRA that applies to institutions receiving Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds--primarily financial institutions.  However, unless a NIH grantee also received TARP funds, this provision would not apply.  Be reminded, that if ARRA funds are used support any NIH program that has a citizenship requirement (e.g., training and career programs); those programmatic requirements would also apply to the ARRA funding.

--return to top of page--


15) Will I be allowed to transfer my NIH ARRA award to another institution?
Applicants of ARRA NIH funds planning to transfer to other universities in the coming months should speak with their SPA Project Officer.  Arrangements must be made PRIOR to the issuance of a notice of grant award.  Transfers cannot be made after an award notice is issued.

--return to top of page--