Prevention Research Centers Special Interest Projects NOFO

Question: Which SIPs require applications for components A and B?
Answer: SIP 24-006: Nutrition Obesity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (NOPREN) – 5 years
SIP 24-007: Physical Activity Policy and Research Evaluation Network (PAPREN) – 5 Years
SIP 24-010: Mental Health and Chronic Disease Prevention Network (MHCDPN) – 5 Years

Question: Is the aims page considered part of the total page count?
Answer: The specific aims page is separate from the 12-page limit for the research strategy or the 18-page limit for the research strategy (if you’re applying for both component A and B of Thematic Networks which have the optional coordinating center application).

Question: Will all SIPs use the same format and what format will be used? (On the grants.gov page for the RFA I don’t see anything about the format: e.g., similar to R01 in SF424 or are there specific required sections)?
Answer: Please see the Application section of the NOFO, and the “package” tab for the NOFO in grants.gov.

Question: Can you say more about Component B and what types of activities would be covered by the coordinating centers?
Answer: Each component B is unique to the SIP thematic network. The NOFO describes the expectations and the requirements for Coordinating Centers for each SIP.

Question: For those responding to components A&B is there one specific aims page to cover both components?
Answer: Yes. It will be one application with one specific aims page that covers both components A and B. There are page limitations specified in the NOFO under each SIP.

Question: For those SIPs where A & B are required is that also 18 pages, 6 for part B and 12 for part A?
Answer: For those thematic networks that have a component A and B but are one single award, you need to apply for both component A and B, and the maximum page limit will be noted in the specific NOFO proposal. These SIPs are:
SIP 24-006: Nutrition Obesity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (NOPREN)
SIP 24-007: Physical Activity Policy and Research Evaluation Network (PAPREN)
SIP 24-010: Mental Health and Chronic Disease Prevention Network (MHCDPN)

Question: Is the Data Management Plan submitted as part of the Resource Sharing Plan or in the Appendix?
Answer: It should be submitted as part of the resource sharing plan and not as an appendix.

Question: Are letters of support not counted toward the appendices page/PDF limits?
Answer: LOS are included under the research plan and do not count towards the appendices.

Question: Can you please clarify the last comment about the DMP and where it is submitted as an appendix or something separate. On p. 49 of the NOFO it says the DMP should be submitted as Appendix A.
Answer: That’s an error, which will be corrected. The DMP should be submitted as part of the Resource Sharing Plan and not as an appendix.

Question: Thank you. It would be great to clarify if numbers 5-11 listed below count toward the 12- or 18-page limits of the research plan:
5. Vertebrate Animals
6. Select Agent Research
7. Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan.
8. Consortium/Contractual Arrangements
9. Letters of Support
10. Resource Sharing Plan(s)
11. Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources
12. Appendix.
Answer: The research strategy has a page limitation for each proposal (12 or 18 pages depending on the specific SIP). The other research plans section (e.g., 5-12) are part of the research plan but not the research strategy. All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide at How to Apply – Application Guide must be followed along with any additional instructions provided in the NOFO.

Question: Approximately when will we be notified if our SIPs have been funded or not?
Answer: Applicants will be notified before the beginning of the project period, which is October 1, 2024.

Question: Can salary escalations each year be included in the proposed budgets?
Answer: Yes.

Question: Is there any travel required to meetings for the networks that should be included in the budgets?
Answer: The NOFO would specify if there are travel requirements expected. If PRCs expect that travel is required to carry out your research project that should be included in the budget.

Question: What should be the start date for budgeting purposes
Answer: Estimated Start Date: 09/30/2024

Question: If funded, will the SIP funding be added to the PRC notice of award?
Answer: There will be a separate notice of award for each SIP awarded. It will not be on the PRC notice of award. With the separate notice of award there will also be separate reporting requirements and separate continuation application requirements for each SIP. It will all be in the terms and conditions.

Question: For the 3 that require components A and B, can we divide the budgets between the components as we see fit or are there required or recommended budget amounts that should be allocated to each component? I see that for some SIPs but not for 24-010
Answer: If the NOFO does not include specific requirements then it is up to the PRC to propose the budget plan.

Question: Do the Action, Evaluation, and Dissemination/Translation plans count towards the appendices page/PDF limits? Are they considered appendices?
Answer: Yes, they do count toward the limits.

Question: Should the Evaluation Plan and Dissemination and Translation Plan be part of the approach section or the proposal, or can they be appendices?
Answer: Supporting material included as appendices may not exceed 10 PDF attachments (maximum of 30 pages). The appendices should include materials that show evidence of the applicant’s ability to successfully conduct the proposed project and other evidence deemed necessary to support the contents of the proposal. The Annual Action Plan, Evaluation Plan and Dissemination and Translation Plan may be included as supporting material in the application.

Question: Please provide clarification on the evaluation plan requirement since it notes that CDC will work with recipients to develop framework after the award? Please clarify if we are to submit a plan in the grant application.
Answer: Applicants must provide an evaluation and performance measurement plan that demonstrates how the recipient will fulfill the requirements described. The evaluation plan must meet SMART goals and be consistent with the CDC evaluation framework.

Question: Do SIPs need to clearly connect the dots to the overall PRC content area?
Answer: No, SIPs are a separate NOFO, and the content areas are not connected.

Question: Will there be new SIP NOFOs be issued in subsequent PRC fiscal years?
Answer: Yes, A new SIP NOFO is published annually with new proposals. This is year one. There will be four more SIP NOFOs in this cycle.

Question: Some sources list the LOI deadline as 2/2, can you confirm the deadline?
Answer: That was a typo in the NOFO — the LOI deadline is Monday, February 5.

Question: For the LOI, should we submit a single letter for all SIP applications or separate letters for each SIP?
Answer: The NOFO does not specify. It is acceptable to submit a single email/letter for all the SIP applications. Please put the SIP numbers in the subject matter of your email and include the relevant information listed in the NOFO under “3. Letter of Intent”. The LOI should be submitted by 2/5/24 to researchnofo@cdc.gov. (Note: there is an error in the NOFO that states LOIs are due 2/2/24 but they are actually due 2/5/24).

Question: What if the core PRC PI is outside of the topic area of the SIP proposal? Do they actually have to have a role on the SIP? Can they be very low effort? If your core PI is in a different topical area will this weaken your SIP application because the MPI will seem sort of irrelevant?
Answer: Reviewers will be made aware that the PRC PI may not have a role in the SIP and to not consider this in the review. The PRC PI is not required to have any effort on the SIP application.

Question: If the PRC PI is in different field from area of SIP, and has no effort on SIP application, should we still include their biosketch in the application?
Answer: Yes, a biosketch is required.

Question: Just a clarification regarding PRC PI: is that the PRC Center PI or the PRC core research project PI? Just confirming that PRC core PI does not mean core research project PI?
Answer: The SIP PI can be anyone from your institution. The PRC PI should be included as an additional PI on the list. The PRC PI does not require an effort on the application but should be named as a PI on the application. A multiple PI plan will then be required.

Question: Do all SIPs that have a contact PI who is not the PRC PI need to submit multi-PI Plans?
Answer: Yes, if your PRC application has multiple PIs, you need to submit a multi-PI plan. The contact PI on the PRC application will be the additional PI on the SIP application.

Question: If the SIP PI is not the core PRC PI, is it up to the PRC to establish financial/indirect terms with the SIP?
Answer: It’s up to the PRC institution to determine

Question: So if your MPI is the PRC PI, but won’t really be involved because they are off topic and won’t have effort, how do you manage doing an MPI plan?
Answer: Due to the nature of the expertise required for the SIPs, it is possible that the PRC PI does not have the expertise and does not need to have a percentage effort on the grant however, they need to be named on the grant.

If your PRC already has multiple PIs, please add the contact PI on your PRC application as one of the Co-PIs. At a minimum add the contact PI on the SIP application as well.

Question: If investigators are listed in Co-PI role rather than PI (MPI) role, is an MPI plan still required? Or should we not use Co-PI role and instead use MPI role?
Answer: An MPI plan is required when your application has multiple PIs, regardless of their roles. In ERA when you designate people as MPIs you’ll need an MPI plan. For all the SIP applications, if the SIP lead PI is different from the PRC Co-PI, we ask that you submit an MPI application where you have two PIs at a minimum: one SIP PI, one Co-PRC contact PI. Once you have an MPI application, an MPI plan is required, although it can be brief.

Question: For SIP 24-001, does the CDC have a goal sample size in mind?
Answer: The sample should be large enough to include survivors in various phases of treatment, a variety of socioeconomic characteristics, and socioeconomic status.

Question: SIP-24-002 – This is expected to need IRB-approval for human subjects research, but does CDC consider this human subjects research (i.e. require protection of human subjects?)
Answer: It is anticipated that this project will require local IRB approval.

Question: SIP-24-002 – Does this require a “protection of human subjects” document to be submitted with the application?
Answer: The application requires that the applicant be able to obtain IRB approval within six months of the start of the project.

Question: SIP-24-002 is a retrospective data analysis seemingly from secondary data sources. Does that still require submission of the protection of human subjects document?
Answer: If the determination is that the research does not involve human subjects per the common rule, a human subjects section will not be required.

Question: Question about SIP-24-003: Can you please elaborate on the following from the FOA on p. 55 under SIP-24-003 (CPCRN), Component A: CPCRN Collaborating Centers: “It is expected that a minimum of 50% of resources, which could include funded staff time, budget, etc., will be used to support cross-center network work group projects.”

For example, would it be acceptable for 50% of funded staff time and 10% of supplies to be budgeted for cross-center network group projects? (This would be a substantial portion of resources dedicated to the network, but not 50% of the total budget)
Answer: The statement in the NOFO cannot be elaborated upon.

Question: SIP 24-004 Can you clarify what constitutes a population-based study? Does this mean national or multiple regions in the country?
Answer: See page 63 under Study Design and Methods: “It is expected that studies will include a sample of GG1 prostate cancer cases from population-based source(s) (e.g., state cancer registries or equivalent), and will oversample African American and Hispanic patients to provide reliable estimates for those groups.”

Question: (SIP-24-005) RFA states “Determine appropriate non-cancer specific clinical endpoints to use in the study to serve as indices of improved health of participants.” Is the intent for that determination to be completed as part of the study design prior to a trial (e.g., conduct a scoping review as a specific aim)? Or, is that determination an expected outcome of a proposed trial?
Answer: The NOFO states on page 68 that applicants are expected to: “Monitor non-cancer specific clinical endpoints before, during, and after intervention to assess improvement. Determine factors important for program sustainability.”

Question: For SIP24-005 is it 12 pages or 18 for the research strategy?
Answer: For SIP-24-005: Understanding the impact of reducing social isolation and loneliness on health indices among cancer survivors, the Research Strategy Section of the Research Plan is limited to a maximum of 12 pages.

Question: For SIP-24-009 (arthritis), just wanted to confirm that the budget is 250k for component A and 50 for component B and that includes both direct and indirect (so only about 30k per year for coordination?)
Answer: Correct.

Question: How does the new Mental Health Network have a Coordinating Center when there is only one award? Who will they coordinate with? PRCs interested in Mental Health, such as the PRC Mental Health Workgroup?
Answer: This information is provided in component B for this SIP in Section VIII.

Question: The current text says only funded PRCs can be engaged in the MHCDPN. Would it be possible to expand that to non-renewed current PRCs who have been doing mental health work?
Answer: It is up to the coordinating center to propose how they would like to engage with partners. That could be proposed by the applicant. There’s no limit on who the PRCs can coordinate with but there’s an expectation that the coordinating center will at a minimum collaborate with those in the core NOFO who are selected to carry out the mental health research projects.

Question: Will other centers be funded to join the network for SIP-24-010 in later SIPs?
Answer: Funding is only available to fund 1 recipient.

Question: For SIP-24-010 with the coordinating center for mental health, is there a 12 or 18 page limit for the research strategy section?
Answer: For SIP24-010, the Research Strategy Section of the Research Plan is limited to a maximum of 12 pages.

Question: For SIP-24-012: Under “Study Design and Methods” (pg. 129), it says we should research vaccine hesitancy utilizing methods “…that go beyond traditional survey or focus group methodology.” Does that mean that survey and focus groups should not be used at all, or that if they are use, they should be used in a more innovative way to examine vaccine hesitancy?
Answer: Focus groups can be used but they should be used in conjunction with more innovative methods, not as a sole means of gathering data.

Question: For SIP-012, will LOS and contractual agreements will be part of the research plan for component A or component B?
Answer: The Research Strategy is 12 pages and does not include the LOS or other research Plan sections. The SF424 Research plan includes other sections including other attachments where the LOS should be included.

Question: For SIP-24-012 (ARISe), it has a “public health impact” section listed under submission requirements. Should this be a heading in the Research Plan or should it be submitted as one of the Appendix items?
Answer: Public Health Impact is a heading in the NOFO describing the expected impact of this SIP. It is not a submission requirement.