Supplements

A supplement is a process by which funds are added to an existing grant or cooperative agreement. NIMH supports several types of supplements (Revisions, Administrative, and Research), and the distinctions between these supplements are described below. More detailed NIMH-specific information on each of the types of supplements, as well as the eligibility criteria and application procedures for each, can be found by clicking on the links below. Principal Investigators (PIs) are encouraged to read the information provided on these linked web pages. In addition, PIs are strongly encouraged to contact the Program Officer assigned to their grant with questions related to developing a supplement application.

• Revision Application (formerly termed Competitive Supplement):

  This is a request for an increase in support in a current budget period for expansion of the project’s approved scope or research protocol. The request may specify budgetary changes required for the remainder of the project period as well as for the current budget period. Revision applications are submitted via grants.govExternal Link: Please review our disclaimer. using the forms and guidelines from the parent grant’s originating funding announcement. Should the parent grant’s funding announcement be expired, applicants are encouraged to apply via the guidelines for the appropriate omnibus announcement.
  

   

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• Administrative Supplements:

  An administrative supplement is a request to provide additional funds to a grant or cooperative agreement to pay for necessary items or activities that fall within the scope of that award, but were unanticipated at the time that the new or competing continuation application was submitted. NIMH provides such supplements for a current budget period and future years, if necessary, to meet certain unforeseen new or increased costs that are within the scope of the approved grant. An administrative supplement request is subject to an internal review and does not require peer review but may, in some circumstances, be subject to review by the National Advisory Mental Health Council.
  
  The award of an administrative supplement depends on several factors, including alignment with Institute expectations/priorities, documented need, and availability of funds from NIMH's allocation for supplements. NIMH awards administrative supplements under a limited number of defined circumstances, on a case by case basis. Documented justification and the approval of the Program Officer and other designated NIMH staff are required.
  
  Administrative supplements can be submitted in either of two ways. 1. Administrative Supplement requests may be submitted by the applicant organization. Please follow the instructions provided in PA-12-100 Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp); or 2. Administrative Supplement requests may be submitted by the PD/PI of the parent grant electronically. He/She should log into the NIMH Supplement Submittal web interface using his/her eRA Commons ID and password. Applications should be submitted as “Administrative” when prompted for the Supplement Type.
  
  

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• Supplements Providing Research Experiences for Physicians and Medical Students from Diverse Backgrounds:

  The purpose of the NIMH Administrative Supplement Program Providing Research Experiences for Physicians and Medical Students (NOT-MH-12-019) is to improve the diversity of the mental health research workforce by supporting and recruiting early stage investigators from groups that have been shown to be nationally underrepresented in scientific disciplines relevant to mental health research. For the purposes of this initiative, eligible candidates include individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities. NIMH expects that participation in this administrative supplement program will enhance the professional development of the participating individuals, sustain their career trajectory through research independence, and lead to scientific advances that will help transform the understanding and treatment of mental illness.
  
  Applications for Providing Research Experiences for Physicians and Medical Students from Diverse Backgrounds (PREP) supplements should be submitted to NIMH electronically. The Principal Investigator of the qualifying research project grant is responsible for submitting the administrative supplement application. The applicant should log into the NIMH Supplemental Submittal web interface using their eRA Commons ID and password. Applications should be submitted as “PREP” when prompted for the Supplement Type.
  
  

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• Supplements to Enable Continuity of Research Experiences of MD/PhDs during Clinical Training:

  The purpose of the NIMH Administrative Supplement Program to Enable Continuity of Research Experiences of MD/PhDs during Clinical Training (NOT-MH-11-014) is to support advanced research opportunities for exceptional individuals holding the MD/PhD degree early in their research careers so that they may move more efficiently and effectively from the period of clinical training to the next stage of their research careers. This program will provide opportunities for such individuals to continue to conduct research and to enhance their research skill set while completing clinical training (i.e., during the years of residency and clinical fellowship training).
  
  Supplements to Enable Continuity of Research Experiences of MD/PhDs during Clinical Training should be submitted to NIMH electronically. The Principal Investigator of the qualifying research project grant is responsible for submitting the administrative supplement application. He/She should log into the NIMH Supplement Submittal web interface using his/her eRA Commons ID and password. Applications should be submitted as “NOT-MH-11-014” when prompted for the Supplement Type.
  
  

   

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• Supplements to Enhance Diversity in Institutional Training (T32):

  The purpose of the NIMH Program to Enhance Diversity in Institutional Training is to increase the opportunities available for well-qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to be supported on NIMH-funded T32 programs. NIMH expects that all funded T32s currently support and train individuals from diverse backgrounds as part of their existing, funded institutional training program. Under this program, NIMH will administratively award an additional position, designated specifically for a named trainee from a diverse background (either predoctoral or postdoctoral), to an existing T32 award. Assuming satisfactory progress by the selected trainee, this supplemental position will remain a part of the T32 for the duration of the named individual’s participation in the training program generally no more than two years unless unusual circumstances arise during the trainee’s participation in the training program
  
  Supplements to Enhance Diversity in Institutional Training (T32) should be submitted to NIMH electronically. The Training Program Director is responsible for submitting the administrative supplement application. He/She should log into the NIMH Supplement Submittal web interface (https://wwwapps.nimh.nih.gov/ssf) using his/her eRA Commons ID and password. Applications should be submitted as “Institutional Training” when prompted for the Supplement Type.
  

   

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• Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research:

  NIH/NIMH recognizes a unique and compelling need to promote diversity in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences research workforce. NIH/NIMH expects efforts to diversify the workforce to lead to the recruitment of the most talented researchers from all groups; to improve the quality of the educational and training environment; to balance and broaden the perspective in setting research priorities; to improve the ability to recruit subjects from diverse backgrounds into clinical research protocols; and to improve the Nation's capacity to address and eliminate health disparities. This supplement program allows an opportunity for PIs with specific types of active NIMH research grants to apply for an administrative supplement to support and recruit individuals at various career levels who come from groups shown to be underrepresented in science.
  
  Administrative supplements can be submitted in either of two ways. 1. Administrative Supplement requests may be submitted by the PD/PI of the parent grant electronically via https://wwwapps.nimh.nih.gov/ssf/; he/she should log into the NIMH Supplement Submittal web interface (https://wwwapps.nimh.nih.gov/ssf) using his/her eRA Commons ID and password. Applications should be submitted as “Diversity” when prompted for the Supplement Type, or 2. Administrative Supplement requests may be submitted by the applicant organization. Please follow the instructions provided in PA-12-149 Administrative Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp).
  

   

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• Research Supplements to Promote Re-Entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers:

  This program allows PIs with active NIMH research grants to apply for administrative supplements to support individuals with high potential to re-enter an active research career after a qualifying interruption for family or other reasons. This program was initiated by the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health, which can provide co-funding (see http://orwh.od.nih.gov/pubs/reentry_factsheet-revised%202-4-09.pdf). The aim of these supplements, as funded by NIMH, is to encourage such individuals to re-enter NIMH mission-relevant research careers. This program will provide administrative supplements to existing NIMH research grants for the purpose of supporting full-time or part-time research by these individuals in a program geared to bring their existing research skills and knowledge up to date. It is anticipated that, at the completion of the supplement, the re-entry scientist will be in a position to apply for a career development (K) award, a research award (R), or some other form of independent research support.
  
  Administrative supplements can be submitted in either of two ways. 1. Administrative Supplement requests may be submitted by the PD/PI of the parent grant electronically via https://wwwapps.nimh.nih.gov/ssf/. He/She should log into the NIMH Supplement Submittal web interface (https://wwwapps.nimh.nih.gov/ssf) using his/her eRA Commons ID and password. Applications should be submitted as “Re-Entry” when prompted for the Supplement Type; or 2. Administrative Supplement requests may be submitted by the applicant organization. Please follow the instructions provided in PA-12-150 Research Supplements to Promote Re-Entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers (Admin Supp).