**[Important Points from MGAP Survey Results]{.underline}**

[PEER REVIEWERS]{.underline}

Please check one box for each line that indicates how well you
understand features of the peer review process as it relates to modular
grants.

  ---------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------------
  B2. Features of the peer review process  This feature is    This feature is   I have never heard
                                           clear to           [not clear to     about [this
                                           [me]{.underline}   me]{.underline}   feature]{.underline}

  a\. Peer reviewers can recommend that                                         
  modules be cut from a proposed research                                       
  budget                                                                        

  b\. Peer reviewers should not recommend                                       
  specific percentages be cut from a                                            
  proposed research budget                                                      

  c\. If peer reviewers want to recommend                                       
  changes (e.g., in staffing, percent                                           
  effort, specific aims, etc.) but a cost                                       
  reduction in modules can't be                                                 
  determined, then peer reviewer                                                
  recommendations should be described in                                        
  the budget section of the review without                                      
  assigning an amount                                                           
  ---------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------------

-   **B2c: 40.7% of reviewers responded either "this feature is not
    clear to me" or "I have never heard about this feature" for B2c,
    indicating they don't realize they can recommend budgetary changes
    and simply describe the recommended reductions without identifying a
    specified dollar amount.**

B4. In your opinion, to what extent has the modular grant application
process achieved the following goals:

+--------------------------------------------+-----+----+----+-------+
|                                            | Not | To | To | Don't |
|                                            | [at |    | a  |       |
|                                            | a   | so |    | know/ |
|                                            | ll] | me | l  | Can't |
|                                            | {.u |    | ar |       |
|                                            | nde | [e | ge | [ra   |
|                                            | rli | xt |    | te]{. |
|                                            | ne} | en | [e | under |
|                                            |     | t] | xt | line} |
|                                            |     | {. | en |       |
|                                            |     | un | t] |       |
|                                            |     | de | {. |       |
|                                            |     | rl | un |       |
|                                            |     | in | de |       |
|                                            |     | e} | rl |       |
|                                            |     |    | in |       |
|                                            |     |    | e} |       |
+--------------------------------------------+-----+----+----+-------+
| > a\. Reduce administrative burden for     |     |    |    |       |
| > peer reviewers                           |     |    |    |       |
+--------------------------------------------+-----+----+----+-------+
| > b\. Focus the efforts of peer reviewers  |     |    |    |       |
| > on the scientific content of the grant   |     |    |    |       |
| > application                              |     |    |    |       |
+--------------------------------------------+-----+----+----+-------+
| > c\. Reinforce the grant-in-aid           |     |    |    |       |
| > philosophy (i.e., the government's       |     |    |    |       |
| > assisting in carrying out the research   |     |    |    |       |
| > endeavor) as opposed to the contract     |     |    |    |       |
| > mentality (i.e., buying research         |     |    |    |       |
| > dollar-for-dollar)                       |     |    |    |       |
+--------------------------------------------+-----+----+----+-------+
| > d\. Accommodate principal investigators' |     |    |    |       |
| > need for flexibility                     |     |    |    |       |
+--------------------------------------------+-----+----+----+-------+

-   **B4a: 85.9% of reviewers agree (responded "to some extent" or "to a
    large extent") that MGAP has achieved the goal of reducing
    administrative burden for peer reviewers.**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **B4b: 89.6% agree (responded "to some extent" or "to a large
    extent") that MGAP has focused the reviews on the scientific content
    of the application.**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **B4d: 90.1% agree (responded "to some extent" or "to a large
    extent") that MGAP has accommodated PIs' need for flexibility. (We
    might want to compare with what IOs and PIs say, because I think
    they differ.)**

B7. How satisfied were you with the information you received about the
review of modular grant applications?

> Very satisfied
>
> Satisfied
>
> Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
>
> Dissatisfied
>
> Very dissatisfied

-   **B7: Of those that had received information on the review of
    modular grant applications, 82.3% are satisfied (answered either
    "very satisfied" or "satisfied") with the information they've
    received on review of modular grant applications.**

This section asks about your experiences with the modular grant
application process. Please check the box that indicates how strongly
you agree or disagree with the following statements.

  ------------------------------ --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------
                                 Strongly              [Agree]{.underline}   Neither Agree nor        [Disagree]{.underline}   Strongly                 Don't know/\
                                 [Agree]{.underline}                         D[isagree]{.underline}                            [disagree]{.underline}   Not
                                                                                                                                                        [applicable]{.underline}

  C1. The modular grants                                                                                                                                
  application process has                                                                                                                               
  impeded my ability to learn                                                                                                                           
  about how much different                                                                                                                              
  elements of a research project                                                                                                                        
  cost                                                                                                                                                  

  C2. The lack of a detailed                                                                                                                            
  budget helps me focus on the                                                                                                                          
  scientific content of the                                                                                                                             
  applications                                                                                                                                          

  C3. The modular grant                                                                                                                                 
  application process has                                                                                                                               
  negatively affected the                                                                                                                               
  working relationship between                                                                                                                          
  me and the scientific review                                                                                                                          
  administrator of my study                                                                                                                             
  section                                                                                                                                               

  C4. As a direct result of the                                                                                                                         
  modular grant application                                                                                                                             
  process, discussions about the                                                                                                                        
  budget in my study section are                                                                                                                        
  much more limited                                                                                                                                     

  C5. I can assess the                                                                                                                                  
  scientific merit of a modular                                                                                                                         
  grant application without a                                                                                                                           
  detailed budget                                                                                                                                       

  C6. I can assess the                                                                                                                                  
  scientific merit of a modular                                                                                                                         
  grant application without                                                                                                                             
  "Other Support" pages                                                                                                                                 

  C7. It is not necessary for an                                                                                                                        
  application to have already                                                                                                                           
  received IRB and/or IACUC                                                                                                                             
  approvals for me to make a                                                                                                                            
  good assessment of the                                                                                                                                
  scientific content                                                                                                                                    

  C8. I am not comfortable                                                                                                                              
  recommending budget cuts                                                                                                                              
  without being able to view a                                                                                                                          
  detailed budget                                                                                                                                       
  ------------------------------ --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------

-   **C5: 86.7% (roughly the same as for PIs) agree (answered "strongly
    agree" or "agree") that they can assess merit without a detailed
    budget.**

-   **C6: but only 62% agree (answered "strongly agree" or "agree") they
    can assess the scientific merit without Other Support pages.**

-   **C7: 85% agree (answered "strongly agree" or "agree") that having
    IRB/IACUC approvals ahead of time is not necessary for a good
    assessment.**

Next we would like you to think about how much time you spend reviewing
a grant application before attending study section meetings.

C11. Please think about the average amount of time you spend reviewing
one grant application before attending study section meetings. Compared
to a nonmodular grant application, reviewing a modular grant application
takes me....

> Much more time
>
> Somewhat more time
>
> About the same amount of time
>
> Somewhat less time
>
> Much less time

-   **C11: 98.1% feel that the time to review an application has
    remained the same or decreased (responded with either "about the
    same amount of time", "somewhat less time", or "much less time")
    when the application is modular.**

Now we would like you to think about how much study section meeting time
is spent discussing an applicant's budget.

C12. Please use the two spaces below to indicate, *on average*, how much
study section meeting time was devoted to discussing an applicant's
proposed budget before and after the implementation of the modular grant
application process. If you are not sure, please provide your best
estimate.

> [Study Section Meeting Time Devoted to Discussing An Applicant's
> Proposed Budget]{.underline}:

  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------
  [a.Before Modular            [b.After Modular Grants]{.underline}
  Grants]{.underline}          

  \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Minutes     \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Minutes
  ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------

-   **C12a/12b ---- reduction in study section meeting time to review
    budgets has decreased from an average of 8.5 to an average of 5.2
    minutes -- a savings of 3 minutes per application. This means that
    for every 20 applications, the reviewer saves an hour.**

This section asks your opinions about the modular grant application
process. Please check the box that indicates how strongly you agree or
disagree with the following statements.

  ------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------
                            Strongly              [Agree]{.underline}   Neither Agree nor        [Disagree]{.underline}   Strongly                 Don't know/\
                            [agree]{.underline}                         D[isagree]{.underline}                            [disagree]{.underline}   Not
                                                                                                                                                   [applicable]{.underline}

  D1. Reviewers generally                                                                                                                          
  know how much a proposed                                                                                                                         
  research project that                                                                                                                            
  they review should cost                                                                                                                          

  D2. Since the modular                                                                                                                            
  grant applications only                                                                                                                          
  list total costs, new                                                                                                                            
  reviewers should receive                                                                                                                         
  training on how to                                                                                                                               
  determine whether or not                                                                                                                         
  proposed costs are                                                                                                                               
  reasonable                                                                                                                                       

  D3. In many of the                                                                                                                               
  modular grant                                                                                                                                    
  applications the overall                                                                                                                         
  costs appear to be                                                                                                                               
  inflated                                                                                                                                         

  D4. The more budget                                                                                                                              
  justification PIs                                                                                                                                
  provide, the more                                                                                                                                
  reviewers understand                                                                                                                             
  their proposed research,                                                                                                                         
  and in turn, the higher                                                                                                                          
  the score they receive                                                                                                                           

  D5. Making                                                                                                                                       
  recommendations to cut a                                                                                                                         
  module is a waste of time                                                                                                                        
  because the PI will                                                                                                                              
  ultimately be awarded the                                                                                                                        
  amount originally                                                                                                                                
  requested                                                                                                                                        

  D6. The peer reviewers                                                                                                                           
  don't need to see a                                                                                                                              
  detailed budget to                                                                                                                               
  understand the proposed                                                                                                                          
  research project in a                                                                                                                            
  modular grant application                                                                                                                        

  D7. Listing dollar value                                                                                                                         
  totals for major                                                                                                                                 
  categories (personnel,                                                                                                                           
  travel, etc.) would be a                                                                                                                         
  good compromise between a                                                                                                                        
  detailed budget and a                                                                                                                            
  modular budget                                                                                                                                   
  ------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------

-   **D1: Nearly 80% (78.1%) agree (responded either "strongly agree" or
    "agree") that reviewers generally know how much a proposed research
    project should cost.**

-   **D2: More than half (55%) believe (responded either "strongly
    agree" or "agree") that new reviewers should receive training on
    determining reasonable costs (but I don't know how we would do
    that!)**

-   **D4: 60% disagree (answered "strongly disagree" or "disagree") that
    the more budget justification PIs provide, the higher the score they
    will receive (Is that good or bad?)**

-   **D5: more than 80% (83.4%) disagree (answered "strongly disagree"
    or "disagree") with the statement, "Making recommendations to cut a
    module is a waste of time because the PI will ultimately be awarded
    the amount originally requested." Thus, 83.4% believe their
    recommendations to cut a module are heeded when an award is made.**

-   **D7: Reviewers are in the middle of the five stakeholder groups
    (and evenly divided -- 49.8% agree, 19.5% are neutral, 30.8%
    disagree) as to whether listing dollar value totals for major
    categories would be a good compromise.**

  ----------------------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------- -------------------------
  D8. As a direct result of the modular     [Increased]{.underline}   Stayed the           [Decreased]{.underline}
  grant application process, my perception                            [same]{.underline}   
  is that:                                                                                 

  a\. The average amount of funding                                                        
  requested has                                                                            

  b\. The average size of award (dollar                                                    
  amount) has                                                                              
  ----------------------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------- -------------------------

-   **D8a: Nearly 50% (48.6%) of peer reviewers believe MGAP has caused
    requested amounts to increase (although only a quarter of PIs and
    institutional officials think so).**

E1. Overall, how satisfied are you with the [modular grant application
process]{.underline}?

> Very Satisfied
>
> Satisfied
>
> Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied
>
> Dissatisfied
>
> Very Dissatisfied

-   **E1: Less than 15% (14.6%) are dissatisfied (answered "very
    dissatisfied" or "dissatisfied" with MGAP; 73.1% say they are
    satisfied (answered "very satisfied" or "satisfied"**

E2. Would you prefer the modular grant limit be higher than \$250,000?

> Yes  Why?
>
> No  Why not?
>
> Not sure/don't know

-   **E2: Less than half (45.8%) of peer reviewers favor raising the
    limit higher than \$250K.**

[INSTITUTIONAL OFFICIALS]{.underline}

A7. Does your office or any other office at your university/research
center require principal investigators to submit detailed budgets for
review even if they are applying for an NIH modular grant?

Yes  Why?
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

No

-   **A7: 85.7% of institutional officials indicated that their
    university/research center requires principal investigators to
    submit a detailed budget even if they are applying for an NIH
    modular grant.**

Please check one box for each line that indicates how well you
understand these features.

  --------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------------
  B1. Features of the modular grant       This feature is    This feature is   I have never heard
  application process                     clear to           [not clear to     about [this
                                          [me]{.underline}   me]{.underline}   feature]{.underline}

  a\. There is no routine escalation for                                       
  future years                                                                 

  b\. One or more additional modules may                                       
  be requested during a particular year                                        
  to cover an unusual cost fluctuation                                         
  (such as a piece of equipment)                                               

  c\. Additional narrative budget                                              
  justification is needed for any                                              
  variation in the number of modules                                           
  requested                                                                    

  d\. A separate form labeled "Other                                           
  Support" does not appear in the modular                                      
  grant application                                                            

  e\. Narrative budget justification is                                        
  needed only for personnel and                                                
  consortium/contractual arrangements                                          

  f\. Individual salary information is                                         
  not required for personnel                                                   

  g\. Total consortium/contractual costs                                       
  need to be estimated for each year,                                          
  rounded to the nearest \$1,000                                               

  h\. The total cost of the                                                    
  consortium/contractual arrangement is                                        
  included in the requested modular                                            
  direct cost total                                                            

  i\. Indirect costs are not calculated                                        
  on equipment                                                                 

  j\. Biographical sketches need to be                                         
  prepared for all key personnel                                               

  k\. Biographical sketches should                                             
  include the goals of current or                                              
  recently completed research projects                                         
  (federal and non-federal support)                                            

  l\. Modular grant awards are eligible                                        
  for administrative supplements (i.e.,                                        
  noncompeting supplemental funding)                                           

  m\. All forms for modular grant                                              
  applications are available on the NIH                                        
  website                                                                      

  n\. Some form pages are different for a                                      
  modular grant application than for a                                         
  nonmodular grant application                                                 
  --------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------------

-   **B1L: 37.1% of institutional officials reported that the fact that
    modular awards are eligible for administrative supplements is "not
    clear" or that they had "never heard about this feature."**

B2. Before taking this survey, had you ever heard of the following goals
of the modular grant application process?

  ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------
                                                              [Yes]{.underline}   [No]{.underline}

  a\. Reduce administrative burden for institutional                              
  officials                                                                       

  b\. Focus the efforts of principal investigators on the                         
  scientific content of the grant application                                     

  c\. Reinforce the grant-in-aid philosophy (i.e., the                            
  government's assisting in carrying out the research                             
  endeavor) as opposed to the contract mentality (i.e.,                           
  buying research dollar-for-dollar)                                              

  d\. Accommodate principal investigators' need for                               
  flexibility                                                                     
  ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------

-   **B2c: Only two-thirds (66.1%) of institutional officials had heard
    of the goal that MGAP reinforces the grant-in-aid philosophy
    (although that is 25% better than peer reviewers and PIs), yet 85.5%
    say that MGAP has achieved that goal "to some extent" or "to a large
    extent" (B3c).**

-   **B2d: Over 90% of institutional officials have heard that one of
    the MGAP goals is to accommodates PIs' needs for flexibility (which
    is 15% higher than peer reviewers and PIs), and 93.2% say it has
    achieved that goal (B3d). Yet only two-thirds (64.2%) agree
    (answered "strongly agree" or "agree") that it provides more
    spending flexibility to PIs (D5).**

B7. How satisfied were you with the information you received from the
NIH staff about the modular grant application process?

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

-   **B7: Over 90% (92.2%) of those who sought information from NIH
    staff report they are satisfied (responded either "very satisfied"
    or "satisfied") with the information provided to them by NIH .**

This section asks about your experiences with the modular grant
application process. Please check the box that indicates how strongly
you agree or disagree with the following statements.

  ------------------------------ --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------
                                 Strongly              [Agree]{.underline}   Neither agree nor        [Disagree]{.underline}   Strongly                 Don't know/\
                                 [Agree]{.underline}                         [disagree]{.underline}                            [disagree]{.underline}   Not
                                                                                                                                                        [applicable]{.underline}

  C1. The modular grant                                                                                                                                 
  application process has                                                                                                                               
  decreased my workload because                                                                                                                         
  a detailed budget is not                                                                                                                              
  required by NIH                                                                                                                                       

  C2. I have had to help PIs                                                                                                                            
  revise their budgets to fit                                                                                                                           
  the NIH modular format (e.g.,                                                                                                                         
  do not include routine                                                                                                                                
  escalation)                                                                                                                                           

  C3. I have had to help PIs                                                                                                                            
  correctly handle indirect                                                                                                                             
  costs in their modular grant                                                                                                                          
  budget preparations                                                                                                                                   

  C4. After the award, I have                                                                                                                           
  found that modular grants are                                                                                                                         
  no different to administer                                                                                                                            
  than nonmodular grants                                                                                                                                

  C5. Negotiating significant                                                                                                                           
  changes in project direction                                                                                                                          
  is more difficult for modular                                                                                                                         
  grants compared to nonmodular                                                                                                                         
  grants                                                                                                                                                
  ------------------------------ --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------

-   **C1: More than 50% (51.8%) disagree ("strongly disagree" or
    "disagree") with the statement, "The modular grant application
    process has decreased my workload because a detailed budget is not
    required by NIH."**

-   **C2: Nearly 80% (79.1%) of institutional officials agree (responded
    either "strongly agree" or "agree") that they have had to assist PIs
    in revising their budgets to fit the modular format, and nearly 90%
    (87.9%) agree that they have had to assist PIs in correctly handling
    indirect costs in budget preparation (C3).**

-   **C4: Nearly 70% (68.8%) agree (responded either "strongly agree" or
    "agree") that administering a modular grant is not different from
    administering a non-modular grant but 22.1% think they are different
    to administer (responded either "strongly disagree" or
    "disagree").**

C6. Our institution provides additional funds to the principal
investigator when the actual cost of the research is somewhat more than
the module level requested/awarded.

> Always
>
> Often
>
> Sometimes
>
> Seldom
>
> Never

-   **C6: Three-quarters (75.6%) of institutional officials say that the
    institution "seldom" or "never" provides funds to PIs when actual
    costs to do the research are higher than the module level
    requested!!**

Please tell us how much do you agree or disagree with this statement:

C9. I spend extra time with auditors explaining modular grants.

> Strongly Agree
>
> Agree
>
> Neither Agree nor Disagree
>
> Disagree
>
> Strongly Disagree
>
> Don't Know/Not Applicable

-   **C9: 30.0% spend extra time (responded "strongly agree" or "agree")
    with auditors explaining modular grants, and only 27.3% of
    institutional officials indicate that auditors understand modular
    grants (D2).**

This section asks your opinions about the modular grant application
process. Please check the box that indicates how strongly you agree or
disagree with the following statements.

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Strongly              [Agree]{.underline}   Neither agree nor        [Disagree]{.underline}   Strongly                 Don't know/\
                             [agree]{.underline}                         [disagree]{.underline}                            [disagree]{.underline}   Not
                                                                                                                                                    [applicable]{.underline}
  -------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------
  D1. Since the modular                                                                                                                             
  grant applications do not                                                                                                                         
  require detailed budgets,                                                                                                                         
  the pre-award process is                                                                                                                          
  much simpler for the                                                                                                                              
  institution's grants                                                                                                                              
  administration staff                                                                                                                              

  D2. Institutional                                                                                                                                 
  auditors, for the most                                                                                                                            
  part, don't understand                                                                                                                            
  modular grants                                                                                                                                    

  D3. The modular grant                                                                                                                             
  application process has                                                                                                                           
  discouraged                                                                                                                                       
  interdisciplinary research                                                                                                                        
  because subcontractor's                                                                                                                           
  indirect costs must be                                                                                                                            
  included in the \$250,000                                                                                                                         
  cap                                                                                                                                               

  D4. Receiving the same                                                                                                                            
  number of modules each                                                                                                                            
  year does not reflect the                                                                                                                         
  cost realities of doing                                                                                                                           
  scientific research                                                                                                                               

  D5. Modular grants provide                                                                                                                        
  more spending flexibility                                                                                                                         
  for PIs than do nonmodular                                                                                                                        
  grants                                                                                                                                            

  D6. Modular grants allow                                                                                                                          
  PIs to focus more on the                                                                                                                          
  scientific content of the                                                                                                                         
  application and less on                                                                                                                           
  the budget.                                                                                                                                       

  D7. PIs are more likely to                                                                                                                        
  apply for a modular grant                                                                                                                         
  because they believe it is                                                                                                                        
  more likely to be funded                                                                                                                          
  than a nonmodular grant                                                                                                                           

  D8. To improve their                                                                                                                              
  chances for funding, PIs                                                                                                                          
  should provide more                                                                                                                               
  detailed budget                                                                                                                                   
  justifications with their                                                                                                                         
  modular grant application                                                                                                                         
  than is asked for                                                                                                                                 

  D9. The modular grant                                                                                                                             
  application process has                                                                                                                           
  resulted in PIs breaking                                                                                                                          
  up a nonmodular proposal                                                                                                                          
  into two or more smaller                                                                                                                          
  (modular) proposals                                                                                                                               

  D10. Listing dollar value                                                                                                                         
  totals for major                                                                                                                                  
  categories (personnel,                                                                                                                            
  travel, etc.) would be a                                                                                                                          
  good compromise between a                                                                                                                         
  detailed budget and a                                                                                                                             
  modular budget                                                                                                                                    
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-   **D1: Most (53.4%) institutional officials disagree (responded
    either "strongly disagree" or "disagree") that the pre-award process
    is much simpler for them since a detailed budget is not required.**

-   **D3: 31.5% of institutional officials believe (stated they
    "strongly agreed" or "agreed") that MGAP discourages
    interdisciplinary research.**

-   **D8: Three-quarters (75.0%) don't believe (responding they
    "strongly disagree" or "disagree") that providing more detailed
    budget justification improves funding chances, but note that PIs and
    peer reviewers aren't as sure.**

-   **D9: Nearly two-thirds (63.8%) don't believe (responding they
    "strongly disagree" or "disagree") that PIs break up their research
    into two or more smaller modular projects rather than submit a
    single, larger, non-modular application.**

  ----------------------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------- -------------------------
  D11. As a direct result of the modular    [Increased]{.underline}   Stayed the           [Decreased]{.underline}
  grant application process, my perception                            [same]{.underline}   
  is that:                                                                                 

  a\. The average amount of funding                                                        
  requested has                                                                            

  b\. The average size of award (dollar                                                    
  amount) has                                                                              
  ----------------------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------- -------------------------

-   **D11 a/b: Only about one quarter (26.2%) believe (responded
    "increased") that MGAP has increased the amount of funding
    requested, and only 16.4% believe that it has caused an increase in
    average size of award.**

D12. As a direct result of the modular grant application process, it
seems to me that budgetary negotiations between institutions/PIs and NIH
program staff have . . .

> Increased a great deal
>
> Increased somewhat
>
> Remained about the same
>
> Decreased somewhat
>
> Decreased a great deal
>
> Don't know

-   **D12: More than 60% (62.9%) believe that budgetary negations have
    decreased (answered "decreased somewhat" or "decreased a great
    deal").**

E1. Overall, how satisfied are you with the [modular grant application
process]{.underline}?

> Very Satisfied
>
> Satisfied
>
> Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied
>
> Dissatisfied
>
> Very Dissatisfied

F5. Overall, how satisfied are you with [Just-in-Time]{.underline}?

> Very Satisfied
>
> Satisfied
>
> Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied
>
> Dissatisfied
>
> Very Dissatisfied

-   **E1, F5: More than three-quarters (76.3%) express overall
    satisfaction (responded "very satisfied" or "satisfied") with MGAP,
    and nearly three-quarters (72.6%) are similarly satisfied (responded
    "very satisfied" or "satisfied") with JiT.**

[PROGRAM/GRANTS MANAGEMENT STAFF]{.underline}

Please check one box for each line that indicates how well you
understand these features.

-   **B1b: Nearly one-quarter (21.5%) (similar to SRAs) do not
    understand that year-to-year budgets may vary in number of modules,
    to cover cost fluctuations. (These respondents answered "This
    feature is not clear to me" or "I have never heard about this
    feature").**

-   **B1d: One-quarter (27.0%) (and one-third of SRAs) don't know that
    no Other Support page is used for MGAP. (These respondents answered
    "This feature is not clear to me" or "I have never heard about this
    feature").**

-   **B1L: 16.6% of program and grants management staff are unaware that
    modular awards are eligible for administrative supplements. (These
    respondents answered "This feature is not clear to me" or "I have
    never heard about this feature").**

B2. Before taking this survey, had you ever heard of the following goals
of the modular grant application process?

+-----------------------------------------------------------+-----+----+
|                                                           | [Y  | [N |
|                                                           | es] | o] |
|                                                           | {.u | {. |
|                                                           | nde | un |
|                                                           | rli | de |
|                                                           | ne} | rl |
|                                                           |     | in |
|                                                           |     | e} |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+-----+----+
| > a\. Reduce administrative burden/staff time for NIH     |     |    |
| > program staff                                           |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+-----+----+
| > b\. Reduce administrative burden/staff time for NIH     |     |    |
| > grants management staff                                 |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+-----+----+
| > c\. Focus the efforts of NIH program staff on the       |     |    |
| > scientific content of the grant application             |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+-----+----+
| > d\. Reinforce the grant-in-aid philosophy (i.e., the    |     |    |
| > government's assisting in carrying out the research     |     |    |
| > endeavor) as opposed to the contract mentality (i.e.,   |     |    |
| > buying research dollar-for-dollar)                      |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+-----+----+
| > e\. Accommodate principal investigators' need for       |     |    |
| > flexibility                                             |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+-----+----+
| > f\. Eliminate budgetary negotiations between PIs and    |     |    |
| > NIH program staff                                       |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+-----+----+

-   **B2d: 40.1% (similar to SRAs) didn't know (responded "no" to B2d)
    that one goal of MGAP is to reinforce the grant-in-aid philosophy.**

B3. In your opinion, to what extent has the modular grant application
process achieved the following goals:

+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+--------+
|                                           | Not | To | To  | Don't  |
|                                           | at  |    | a   |        |
|                                           | [a  | so |     | know   |
|                                           | ll] | me | la  | /Can't |
|                                           | {.u |    | rge |        |
|                                           | nde | [e |     | [rate] |
|                                           | rli | xt | [e  | {.unde |
|                                           | ne} | en | xte | rline} |
|                                           |     | t] | nt] |        |
|                                           |     | {. | {.u |        |
|                                           |     | un | nde |        |
|                                           |     | de | rli |        |
|                                           |     | rl | ne} |        |
|                                           |     | in |     |        |
|                                           |     | e} |     |        |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+--------+
| > a\. Reduce administrative burden/staff  |     |    |     |        |
| > time for NIH program staff              |     |    |     |        |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+--------+
| > b\. Reduce administrative burden/staff  |     |    |     |        |
| > time for NIH grants management staff    |     |    |     |        |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+--------+
| > c\. Focus the efforts of NIH program    |     |    |     |        |
| > staff on the scientific content of the  |     |    |     |        |
| > grant application                       |     |    |     |        |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+--------+
| > d\. Reinforce the grant-in-aid          |     |    |     |        |
| > philosophy (i.e., the government's      |     |    |     |        |
| > assisting in carrying out the research  |     |    |     |        |
| > endeavor) as opposed to the contract    |     |    |     |        |
| > mentality (i.e., buying research        |     |    |     |        |
| > dollar-for-dollar)                      |     |    |     |        |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+--------+
| > e\. Accommodate principal               |     |    |     |        |
| > investigators' need for flexibility     |     |    |     |        |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+--------+
| > f\. Eliminate budgetary negotiations    |     |    |     |        |
| > between PIs and NIH program staff       |     |    |     |        |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+--------+

-   **B3a,b: 74.9% of program staff and 86.6% of grants management staff
    found that MGAP reduced their administrative burden/staff time.
    These respondents said this goal had been met "to some extent" or
    "to a large extent."**

-   **B3f: Approximately 80% (77.8%) (similar to SRAs) found that MGAP
    eliminated budgetary negations with PIs. These respondents said this
    goal had been met "to some extent" or "to a large extent."**

This section asks about your experiences with the modular grant
application process. Please check the box that indicates how strongly
you agree or disagree with the following statements.

+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
|                               | St | [  | Nei  | [D   | St  | D    |
|                               | ro | Ag | ther | isag | ron | on't |
|                               | ng | re |      | ree] | gly | kn   |
|                               | ly | e] | A    | {.un | [   | ow/\ |
|                               | [  | {. | gree | derl | Dis | Not  |
|                               | Ag | un | nor  | ine} | agr | [App |
|                               | re | de | [D   |      | ee] | lica |
|                               | e] | rl | isag |      | {.u | ble] |
|                               | {. | in | ree] |      | nde | {.un |
|                               | un | e} | {.un |      | rli | derl |
|                               | de |    | derl |      | ne} | ine} |
|                               | rl |    | ine} |      |     |      |
|                               | in |    |      |      |     |      |
|                               | e} |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| > C1. The modular grants      |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > application process has     |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > impeded my ability to learn |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > about how much different    |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > elements of a research      |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > project cost                |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| > C2. The lack of a detailed  |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > budget helps me focus on    |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > the scientific content of   |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > the applications            |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| > C3. The modular grant       |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > application process has     |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > negatively affected the     |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > working relationship        |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > between me and some of the  |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > other NIH staff who have    |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > roles in the review and     |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > award process               |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| > C4. The modular grant       |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > application process allows  |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > me to focus on more complex |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > grant mechanisms            |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| > C5. The modular grant       |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > application process has not |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > affected how well I can do  |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > my job                      |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| > C6. The modular grant       |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > application process saves   |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > time because cost analysis  |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > doesn't have to be done     |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| > C7. I am not comfortable    |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > recommending budget cuts or |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > approving changes in scope  |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > without being able to view  |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > a detailed budget           |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| > C8. The modular grants      |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > application process has     |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > resulted in more            |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > administrative supplements  |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| > C9. Additional discussions  |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > and/or meetings must take   |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > place to make decisions     |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > about how the modular grant |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| > budget cuts will be handled |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| C10. There are no "Other      |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| Support" pages so time is     |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| spent trying to find out this |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| type of information           |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| C11. The roles and            |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| responsibilities of various   |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| NIH staff are not clear,      |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| resulting in multiple phone   |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| calls to find answers         |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| C12. Overall, the modular     |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| grant application process has |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| reduced administrative burden |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| for program staff             |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+
| C13. Overall, the modular     |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| grant application process has |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| reduced administrative burden |    |    |      |      |     |      |
| for grants management staff   |    |    |      |      |     |      |
+-------------------------------+----+----+------+------+-----+------+

-   **C1: Less than a quarter (22.9%) believe that MGAP impedes their
    ability to learn about how much different elements of a research
    project cost. (These respondents answered "disagree" or strongly
    disagree" to C1.)**

-   **C2: Only 21.2% agree (responded "agree" or "strongly agree") that
    lack of a detailed budget allows them to focus on the scientific
    content of the applications (opposite trend for SRAs).**

-   **C6: Only a quarter (27.3%) disagree (responded "disagree" or
    "strongly disagree") with the statement, "The modular grant
    application process saves time because cost analysis doesn't have to
    be done."**

-   **C7: Nearly 60% (58.3%) say (responded "agree" or "strongly agree")
    that they are uncomfortable making budget cuts/approving changes
    without a detailed budget.**

-   **C12/13: Nearly 40% disagree (responded "disagree" or "strongly
    disagree") that administrative burden has been reduced for program
    staff, compared to 20% disagreement regarding grants management
    staff.**

This section asks your opinions about the modular grant application
process. Please check the box that indicates how strongly you agree or
disagree with the following statements.

  -------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------
                             Strongly              [Agree]{.underline}   Neither agree nor        [Disagree]{.underline}   Strongly                 Don't know/\
                             [agree]{.underline}                         [disagree]{.underline}                            [disagree]{.underline}   Not
                                                                                                                                                    [applicable]{.underline}

  D1. Modular grants seem                                                                                                                           
  contrary to good                                                                                                                                  
  administrative and fiscal                                                                                                                         
  stewardship                                                                                                                                       

  D2. The modular grants                                                                                                                            
  application process                                                                                                                               
  facilitates getting the                                                                                                                           
  awards out to the PIs on                                                                                                                          
  time                                                                                                                                              

  D3. Modular grants provide                                                                                                                        
  more flexibility for PIs                                                                                                                          
  than do nonmodular grants                                                                                                                         

  D4. PIs are letting the                                                                                                                           
  modular budget guide the                                                                                                                          
  science instead of the                                                                                                                            
  science guiding the budget                                                                                                                        

  D5. Since the modular                                                                                                                             
  grant applications only                                                                                                                           
  list total costs, new                                                                                                                             
  program and grants                                                                                                                                
  management staff should                                                                                                                           
  receive training on how to                                                                                                                        
  determine whether or not                                                                                                                          
  proposed costs are                                                                                                                                
  reasonable                                                                                                                                        

  D6. In many of the modular                                                                                                                        
  grant applications the                                                                                                                            
  overall costs appear to be                                                                                                                        
  inflated                                                                                                                                          

  D7. There appears to be no                                                                                                                        
  consistent policy across                                                                                                                          
  Institutes on how to cut                                                                                                                          
  modular grant budgets when                                                                                                                        
  making an award                                                                                                                                   

  D8. Program and grants                                                                                                                            
  management staff don't                                                                                                                            
  need to see a detailed                                                                                                                            
  budget to understand the                                                                                                                          
  proposed research project                                                                                                                         
  in a modular grant                                                                                                                                
  application                                                                                                                                       

  D9. Listing dollar value                                                                                                                          
  totals for major                                                                                                                                  
  categories (personnel,                                                                                                                            
  travel, etc.) would be a                                                                                                                          
  good compromise between a                                                                                                                         
  detailed budget and a                                                                                                                             
  modular budget                                                                                                                                    
  -------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------

-   **D1: Nearly half (46.5%) believe (responded "agree" or "strongly
    agree") that MGAP is contrary to good administrative and fiscal
    stewardship.**

-   **D6: Nearly half (45.7%) believe (responded "agree" or "strongly
    agree") that overall costs appear to be inflated.**

-   **D7: More than two-thirds (68.6%) find no consistent policy across
    ICs on how they cut modular budgets.**

-   **D8: 30.4% believe they need to see a detailed budget to understand
    the proposed research project. These respondents answered "disagree"
    or "strongly disagree" to D8.**

  ----------------------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------- -------------------------
  D10. As a direct result of the modular    [Increased]{.underline}   Stayed the           [Decreased]{.underline}
  grant application process, my perception                            [same]{.underline}   
  is that:                                                                                 

  a\. The average amount of funding                                                        
  requested has                                                                            

  b\. The average size of award (dollar                                                    
  amount) has                                                                              
  ----------------------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------- -------------------------

-   **D10a/b: 49.1% believe MGAP has caused an increase in the average
    amount of funding requested and 43.1% believe MGAP has caused an
    increase in the average size of award.**

E1. Overall, how satisfied are you with the [modular grant application
process]{.underline}?

> Very Satisfied
>
> Satisfied
>
> Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied
>
> Dissatisfied
>
> Very Dissatisfied

-   **E1: Only 21.2% are dissatisfied (responded "dissatisfied" or "very
    dissatisfied") with MGAP.**

E2. Would you prefer the modular grant limit be higher than \$250,000?

> Yes  Why?
>
> No  Why not?
>
> Not sure/don't know

-   **E2: Only 31.1% (similar to SRAs) would like to increase \$250K
    limit.**

Previously, program and grants management staff have identified some
Just-in-Time aspects that are problematic. Please indicate how much of a
problem the following aspects of the Just-in-Time procedures are for
you.

  ------------------------------------------ ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
                                             This is....                                     

                                             A big                   Somewhat of a           Not a
                                             [problem]{.underline}   [problem]{.underline}   [problem]{.underline}

  F4. Explaining the difference to PIs                                                       
  between the information required in the                                                    
  submitted biosketch and the information                                                    
  previously needed as part of the Other                                                     
  Support pages                                                                              

  F5. Following up with PIs by email, phone,                                                 
  or fax to obtain Just-in-Time materials                                                    
  (e.g., IRB/IACUC approval, Other Support                                                   
  pages)                                                                                     

  F6. Receiving and managing Just-in-Time                                                    
  materials from more applicants than will                                                   
  ultimately be funded                                                                       
  ------------------------------------------ ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------

-   **F5: 79.4% find follow-up with PIs to obtain JiT materials to be a
    problem (answered "a big problem" or "somewhat of a problem").**

F7. Overall, how satisfied are you with [Just-in-Time]{.underline}?

> Very Satisfied
>
> Satisfied
>
> Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied
>
> Dissatisfied
>
> Very Dissatisfied

-   **F7: Less than half (48.4%) are satisfied (responded with
    "satisfied" or "very satisfied") with JiT.**

[SCIENTIFIC REVIEW ADMINISTRATORS]{.underline}

Please check one box for each line that indicates how well you
understand features of the peer review process as they relate to the
modular grant application process.

+------------------------------------+----------+-----------+---------+
| B2. Features of the peer review    | This     | This      | I have  |
| process                            | feature  | feature   | never   |
|                                    | is       | is        | heard   |
|                                    | [clear   |           | about   |
|                                    | to       | [not      | [this   |
|                                    | me]{.un  | clear to  | featur  |
|                                    | derline} | me]{.u    | e]{.und |
|                                    |          | nderline} | erline} |
+------------------------------------+----------+-----------+---------+
| a\. Peer reviewers can recommend   |          |           |         |
| that modules be cut from a         |          |           |         |
| proposed research budget           |          |           |         |
+------------------------------------+----------+-----------+---------+
| b\. Peer reviews should not        |          |           |         |
| recommend specific percentages be  |          |           |         |
| cut from a proposed research       |          |           |         |
| budget                             |          |           |         |
+------------------------------------+----------+-----------+---------+
| c\. If peer reviewers want to      |          |           |         |
| recommend changes (e.g., in        |          |           |         |
| staffing, percent effort, specific |          |           |         |
| aims, etc.) but a cost reduction   |          |           |         |
| in modules can't be determined,    |          |           |         |
| the peer reviewer recommendations  |          |           |         |
| should be described in the budget  |          |           |         |
| section of the review without      |          |           |         |
| assigning an amount                |          |           |         |
+------------------------------------+----------+-----------+---------+
| d\. If peer reviewers recommend    |          |           |         |
| changes (e.g., in staffing,        |          |           |         |
| percent effort, specific aims,     |          |           |         |
| etc.) without recommending         |          |           |         |
| corresponding dollar amounts, IC   |          |           |         |
| staff will request specific budget |          |           |         |
| information from the PI and will   |          |           |         |
| adjust the budget at the time the  |          |           |         |
| award is made                      |          |           |         |
+------------------------------------+----------+-----------+---------+
| e\. IC staff can make additional   |          |           |         |
| budget reductions to a modular     |          |           |         |
| grant                              |          |           |         |
+------------------------------------+----------+-----------+---------+
| f\. Program and grants management  |          |           |         |
| staff never receive a detailed     |          |           |         |
| budget from a PI who is awarded a  |          |           |         |
| modular grant                      |          |           |         |
+------------------------------------+----------+-----------+---------+

-   **B2f: 65.3% of SRAs don't understand that program/grants management
    never receive a detailed budget. (These respondents answered "not
    clear" or "never heard about" for B2f.)**

This section asks about your experiences with the modular grant
application process. Please check the box that indicates how strongly
you agree or disagree with the following statements.

  ------------------------------ --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------
                                 Strongly              [Agree]{.underline}   Neither agree nor        [Disagree]{.underline}   Strongly                 Don't know/\
                                 [Agree]{.underline}                         [disagree]{.underline}                            [disagree]{.underline}   Not
                                                                                                                                                        [applicable]{.underline}

  C1. The modular grant                                                                                                                                 
  application process has not                                                                                                                           
  affected my job as an SRA                                                                                                                             

  C2. The lack of a detailed                                                                                                                            
  budget helps me focus on the                                                                                                                          
  scientific content of the                                                                                                                             
  applications                                                                                                                                          

  C3. The modular grant                                                                                                                                 
  application process has                                                                                                                               
  negatively affected the                                                                                                                               
  working relationship between                                                                                                                          
  me and the peer reviewers                                                                                                                             

  C4. As a direct result of the                                                                                                                         
  modular grant application                                                                                                                             
  process, discussions about the                                                                                                                        
  budgets in my study section                                                                                                                           
  are much more limited                                                                                                                                 

  C5. Due to Just-In-Time, my                                                                                                                           
  job as an SRA is easier now                                                                                                                           
  because I don't need to obtain                                                                                                                        
  IRB or IACUC approvals                                                                                                                                
  received by the PI after                                                                                                                              
  application submission                                                                                                                                
  ------------------------------ --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------

-   **C1: Over 40% (41.4%) say (responded "agree" or "strongly agree"
    that MGAP has not affected their job.**

-   **C2: Only half (52.3%) of SRAs find that lack of a detailed budget
    helps them focus on the scientific content of an application. These
    respondents answered "agree" or "strongly agree" to C2.**

-   **C4: 80.4% find (answered "agree" or "strongly agree") that MGAP
    has resulted in much more limited budgetary discussions in their
    study section.**

-   **C5: 89.3% find (answered "agree" or "strongly agree") their job
    easier due to JiT.**

C6. As a direct result of the modular grant application process, my
overall study section meeting time has...

> Increased significantly
>
> Increased slightly
>
> Remained the same
>
> Decreased slightly
>
> Decreased significantly

-   **C6: Slightly more than half (53.1%) believe that MGAP has
    decreased study section meeting time. These respondents answered
    "decreased slightly" or "decreased significantly" to C6.**

C8. As a direct result of the modular grant application process my
responsibilities as an SRA have:

> Increased significantly
>
> Increased slightly
>
> Remained the same
>
> Decreased slightly
>
> Decreased significantly

-   **C8: Nearly 30% (28.8%) find that their responsibilities as an SRA
    have decreased. These respondents answered "decreased slightly" or
    "decreased significantly" to C8.**

This section asks **your opinions** about the modular grant application
process. Check the box that indicates how strongly **you** agree or
disagree with the following statements. Please think only about your own
opinions, not those of peer reviewers.

  ------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------
                            Strongly              [Agree]{.underline}   Neither agree nor        [Disagree]{.underline}   Strongly                 Don't know/\
                            [agree]{.underline}                         [disagree]{.underline}                            [disagree]{.underline}   Not
                                                                                                                                                   [applicable]{.underline}

  D1. Peer reviewers can                                                                                                                           
  assess the scientific                                                                                                                            
  merit of a modular grant                                                                                                                         
  application without a                                                                                                                            
  detailed budget                                                                                                                                  

  D2. Peer reviewers can                                                                                                                           
  assess the scientific                                                                                                                            
  merit of a modular grant                                                                                                                         
  application without                                                                                                                              
  "Other Support" pages                                                                                                                            

  D3. Making                                                                                                                                       
  recommendations to cut a                                                                                                                         
  module is viewed by                                                                                                                              
  reviewers as not very                                                                                                                            
  important because the PI                                                                                                                         
  will ultimately be                                                                                                                               
  awarded the amount                                                                                                                               
  originally requested                                                                                                                             

  D4. Peer reviewers need                                                                                                                          
  to see a detailed budget                                                                                                                         
  to understand the                                                                                                                                
  proposed research project                                                                                                                        
  in a modular grant                                                                                                                               
  application                                                                                                                                      

  D5. The lack of a                                                                                                                                
  detailed budget helps                                                                                                                            
  reviewers focus on the                                                                                                                           
  scientific content of a                                                                                                                          
  modular grant application                                                                                                                        

  D6. Reviewers generally                                                                                                                          
  know how much a proposed                                                                                                                         
  research project should                                                                                                                          
  cost                                                                                                                                             

  D7. Since the modular                                                                                                                            
  grant applications only                                                                                                                          
  list total costs, new                                                                                                                            
  reviewers should receive                                                                                                                         
  training on how to                                                                                                                               
  determine whether or not                                                                                                                         
  proposed costs are                                                                                                                               
  reasonable                                                                                                                                       

  D8. Reviewers aren't                                                                                                                             
  comfortable recommending                                                                                                                         
  budget cuts without being                                                                                                                        
  able to view a detailed                                                                                                                          
  budget                                                                                                                                           

  D9. Listing dollar value                                                                                                                         
  totals for major                                                                                                                                 
  categories (personnel,                                                                                                                           
  travel, etc.) would be a                                                                                                                         
  good compromise between a                                                                                                                        
  detailed budget and a                                                                                                                            
  modular budget                                                                                                                                   
  ------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------

-   **D1: 79.3% of SRAs believe (responded "agree" or "strongly agree")
    that reviewers can assess scientific merit without a detailed
    budget.**

We are interested in your perceptions about the modular grant
application process. For the question below, please check one box for
each line that comes closest to what you think.

  ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------- -------------------------
  D10. As a direct result of the modular   [Increased]{.underline}   Stayed the           [Decreased]{.underline}
  grant application process, my perception                           [same]{.underline}   
  is that:                                                                                

  a\. The average amount of funding                                                       
  requested has                                                                           

  b\. The average size of award (dollar                                                   
  amount) has                                                                             
  ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------- -------------------------

-   **D10a/b: Slightly less than half (48.1%) believe MGAP has increased
    the average amount of funding requested and (42.9%) believe it has
    increased the average size of awards.**

E1. Overall, how satisfied are you with the [modular grant application
process]{.underline}?

> Very Satisfied
>
> Satisfied
>
> Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied
>
> Dissatisfied
>
> Very Dissatisfied

-   **E1: Only 12.2% are dissatisfied (answered "dissatisfied" or "very
    dissatisfied" with MGAP.**

E2. Would you prefer the modular grant limit be higher than \$250,000?

> Yes  Why?
>
> No  Why not?
>
> Not sure/don't know

-   **E2: More than 70% (71.8%) of SRAs don't want to see the \$250K
    limit increased.**

[PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS]{.underline}

Please check one box for each line that indicates how well you
understand these features.

+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| B1. Features of the modular grant     | This    | This     | I have  |
| application process                   | feature | feature  | never   |
|                                       | is      | is [not  | heard   |
|                                       | clear   | clear to | about   |
|                                       |         | me]{.un  | [this   |
|                                       | [to     | derline} | featur  |
|                                       | m       |          | e]{.und |
|                                       | e]{.und |          | erline} |
|                                       | erline} |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| a\. There is no routine escalation    |         |          |         |
| for future years                      |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| b\. One or more additional modules    |         |          |         |
| may be requested during a particular  |         |          |         |
| year to cover an unusual cost         |         |          |         |
| fluctuation (such as a piece of       |         |          |         |
| equipment)                            |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| c\. Additional narrative budget       |         |          |         |
| justification is needed for any       |         |          |         |
| variation in the number of modules    |         |          |         |
| requested                             |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| d\. A separate form labeled "Other    |         |          |         |
| Support" does not appear in the       |         |          |         |
| modular grant application             |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| e\. Narrative budget justification is |         |          |         |
| needed only for personnel and         |         |          |         |
| consortium/contractual arrangements   |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| f\. Individual salary information is  |         |          |         |
| not required for personnel            |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| g\. Total consortium/contractual      |         |          |         |
| costs need to be estimated for each   |         |          |         |
| year, rounded to the nearest \$1,000  |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| h\. The total cost of the             |         |          |         |
| consortium/contractual arrangement is |         |          |         |
| included in the requested modular     |         |          |         |
| direct cost total                     |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| i\. Indirect costs are not calculated |         |          |         |
| on equipment                          |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| j\. Biographical sketches need to be  |         |          |         |
| prepared for all key personnel        |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| k\. Biographical sketches should      |         |          |         |
| include the goals of current or       |         |          |         |
| recently completed research projects  |         |          |         |
| (federal and non-federal support)     |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| l\. Modular grant awards are eligible |         |          |         |
| for administrative supplements (i.e., |         |          |         |
| noncompeting supplemental funding)    |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| m\. All forms for modular grant       |         |          |         |
| applications are available on the NIH |         |          |         |
| website                               |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+
| n\. Some form pages are different for |         |          |         |
| a modular grant application than for  |         |          |         |
| a nonmodular grant application        |         |          |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+----------+---------+

-   **B1b - Only 59.7% of PIs thought it was clear that one or more
    additional modules may be requested during a particular year to
    cover an unusual cost fluctuation (such as a piece of equipment).**

-   **B1L -- Less than half (42.2%) of all PIs understand (responded
    "clear") that modular grant awards are eligible for administrative
    supplements (i.e., noncompeting supplemental funding). (This finding
    may only be important when compared to other groups.)**

B3. In your opinion, to what extent has the modular grant application
process achieved the following goals:

+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+-------+
|                                           | Not | To | To  | Don't |
|                                           | at  |    | a   |       |
|                                           | [a  | so |     | know/ |
|                                           | ll] | me | la  | Can't |
|                                           | {.u |    | rge |       |
|                                           | nde | [e |     | [ra   |
|                                           | rli | xt | [e  | te]{. |
|                                           | ne} | en | xte | under |
|                                           |     | t] | nt] | line} |
|                                           |     | {. | {.u |       |
|                                           |     | un | nde |       |
|                                           |     | de | rli |       |
|                                           |     | rl | ne} |       |
|                                           |     | in |     |       |
|                                           |     | e} |     |       |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+-------+
| a\. Reduce administrative burden for      |     |    |     |       |
| principal investigators                   |     |    |     |       |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+-------+
| b\. Focus the efforts of principal        |     |    |     |       |
| investigators on the scientific content   |     |    |     |       |
| of the grant application                  |     |    |     |       |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+-------+
| c\. Reinforce the grant-in-aid philosophy |     |    |     |       |
| (i.e., the government's assisting in      |     |    |     |       |
| carrying out the research endeavor) as    |     |    |     |       |
| opposed to the contract mentality (i.e.,  |     |    |     |       |
| buying research dollar-for-dollar)        |     |    |     |       |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+-------+
| d\. Accommodate principal investigators'  |     |    |     |       |
| need for flexibility                      |     |    |     |       |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+-------+
| e\. Eliminate budgetary negotiations      |     |    |     |       |
| between PIs and NIH program staff         |     |    |     |       |
+-------------------------------------------+-----+----+-----+-------+

-   **B3a - 90.7% of PIs report that modular grant application process
    has achieved the goal (to some or a large extent) of reducing
    administrative burden for principal investigators.**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **B3b -- 90.2% of PIs indicated that the goal of focusing the
    efforts of principal investigators on the scientific content of the
    grant application has been achieved (responded "to some extent" or
    "to a large extent" for B3b).**

-   **B3d -- 89.6% of PIs indicate the modular grant application process
    has accommodated principal investigators' needs for flexibility
    (responded "to some extent" or "to a large extent" for B3d).**

B7. How satisfied were you with the information you received from the
NIH staff about the modular grant application process?

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

-   **B7 -- Of those that have obtained information on the modular grant
    application process from NIH staff, 92% report being "very
    satisfied" or "satisfied" with the information they received.**

This section asks about your experiences with the modular grant
application process. Please check the box that indicates how strongly
you agree or disagree with the following statements.

  ------------------------------ --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------
                                 Strongly              [Agree]{.underline}   Neither agree nor        [Disagree]{.underline}   Strongly                 Don't know/\
                                 [Agree]{.underline}                         [disagree]{.underline}                            [disagree]{.underline}   Not
                                                                                                                                                        [applicable]{.underline}

  C1. When I prepare a modular                                                                                                                          
  grant application, more of my                                                                                                                         
  efforts are focused on the                                                                                                                            
  scientific content than when I                                                                                                                        
  prepare a nonmodular grant                                                                                                                            
  application                                                                                                                                           

  C2. The reason I have proposed                                                                                                                        
  research projects that stay                                                                                                                           
  within the \$250,000 limit for                                                                                                                        
  a modular grant is because:                                                                                                                           

  a\. I don't have to do a                                                                                                                              
  detailed budget                                                                                                                                       

  b\. I don't have to provide                                                                                                                           
  the "Other Support" form pages                                                                                                                        

  c\. I think it's more likely                                                                                                                          
  to get funded than a                                                                                                                                  
  nonmodular grant                                                                                                                                      

  C3. Post award funding cuts to                                                                                                                        
  my modular grant(s) are larger                                                                                                                        
  than for my nonmodular                                                                                                                                
  grant(s)                                                                                                                                              

  C4. Preparing a modular grant                                                                                                                         
  application saves time because                                                                                                                        
  I don't have to fill out the                                                                                                                          
  "Other Support" form                                                                                                                                  

  C5. Preparing a modular grant                                                                                                                         
  application is less stressful                                                                                                                         
  than preparing a nonmodular                                                                                                                           
  grant application because                                                                                                                             
  exact dollar amounts don't                                                                                                                            
  have to be submitted to NIH                                                                                                                           

  C6. One thing that takes me                                                                                                                           
  more time with a modular grant                                                                                                                        
  application (as opposed to a                                                                                                                          
  nonmodular grant application),                                                                                                                        
  is preparing the biographical                                                                                                                         
  sketches on all key personnel                                                                                                                         

  C7. I have changed my scope of                                                                                                                        
  work or research approach in                                                                                                                          
  order to stay within \$250,000                                                                                                                        
  (direct costs) so that I could                                                                                                                        
  submit a modular (as opposed                                                                                                                          
  to a nonmodular) grant                                                                                                                                
  application                                                                                                                                           
  ------------------------------ --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------

-   **C2a, C2c - More than half (56.0%) of all PIs say (responded
    "agree" or "strongly agree") that the reason they have proposed
    research projects that stay within the \$250,000 limit is because
    they don't have to do a detailed budget; 40% said they stay within
    the \$250,000 limit because the grant is more likely to get
    funded.**

-   **C7 -- More than a quarter (27.3%) of PIs admitted changing their
    scope of work or research approach in order to stay within \$250,000
    so that they could submit a modular grant application**

C8. When submitting a modular grant application to NIH, do you also have
to submit a detailed budget to your university/research center?

No

Yes

-   **C8 -- When submitting a modular grant application to NIH, 71.9% of
    PIs have to also submit a detailed budget to their university or
    research center**

 C10. To which of the following do you have to submit a detailed
budget?

*Check all that apply.*

Department

Dean's Office

Office of Sponsored Programs

> Other (Please specify)

-   **C10 -- When asked where they had to submit a detailed budget, the
    most common response (59.3%) was the Office of Sponsored Programs,
    followed by their own department (33.8%)**

This section asks your opinions about the modular grant application
process. Please check the box that indicates how strongly you agree or
disagree with the following statements.

  ---------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------
                               Strongly              [Agree]{.underline}   Neither agree nor        [Disagree]{.underline}   Strongly                 Don't know/\
                               [agree]{.underline}                         [disagree]{.underline}                            [disagree]{.underline}   Not
                                                                                                                                                      [applicable]{.underline}

  D1. A modular grant provides                                                                                                                        
  me with more flexibility in                                                                                                                         
  terms of:                                                                                                                                           

  Conducting my research                                                                                                                              

  Modifying the approach to my                                                                                                                        
  research                                                                                                                                            

  Managing the finances of my                                                                                                                         
  award                                                                                                                                               

  D2. Modular applications                                                                                                                            
  discourage interdisciplinary                                                                                                                        
  research and collaboration                                                                                                                          
  because indirect costs are                                                                                                                          
  added to                                                                                                                                            
  consortium/subcontractor's                                                                                                                          
  total cost                                                                                                                                          

  D3. Reviewers can assess the                                                                                                                        
  scientific merit of a                                                                                                                               
  modular grant application                                                                                                                           
  without:                                                                                                                                            

  a\. A detailed budget                                                                                                                               

  b\. "Other Support" pages                                                                                                                           

  D4. The more budget                                                                                                                                 
  justification information I                                                                                                                         
  provide in my modular grant                                                                                                                         
  application, the more likely                                                                                                                        
  I am to receive an award                                                                                                                            

  D5. There appears to be no                                                                                                                          
  clear policy on how the                                                                                                                             
  awarded budgets are decided                                                                                                                         
  for modular grants                                                                                                                                  

  D6. Listing dollar value                                                                                                                            
  totals for major categories                                                                                                                         
  (personnel, travel, etc.)                                                                                                                           
  would be a good compromise                                                                                                                          
  between a detailed budget                                                                                                                           
  and a modular budget                                                                                                                                
  ---------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------

-   **D2 -- 37.3% of PIs felt that modular applications discouraged
    interdisciplinary research and collaboration because the indirect
    costs are added to the consortium/subcontractor's total cost. These
    respondents answered "agree" or "strongly agree" to D2.**

-   **D3a/b -- 85.0% of PIs agree that reviewers can assess scientific
    merit without a detailed budget but a lower percentage (73.2%) feel
    reviewers can assess scientific merit without Other Support pages**

D8. As a direct result of the modular grant application process,
budgetary negotiations between PIs and NIH program staff have . . .

> Increased a great deal
>
> Increased somewhat
>
> Remained about the same
>
> Decreased somewhat
>
> Decreased a great deal

-   **D8 -- 58.1% of PIs thought that as a direct result of the modular
    grant application process, budgetary negations between PIs and NIH
    program staff have decreased somewhat or a great deal.**

E1. Overall, how satisfied are you with the [modular grant application
process]{.underline}?

> Very Satisfied
>
> Satisfied
>
> Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied
>
> Dissatisfied
>
> Very Dissatisfied

-   **E1 -- 80.5% of PIs are satisfied with the modular grant
    application process**

E2. Would you prefer the modular grant limit be higher than \$250,000?

> Yes  Why?
>
> No  Why not?
>
> Not sure/don't know

-   **E2 -- 60.8% would prefer the modular grant limit be higher than
    \$250,000**

> **(May only be important when compared with other groups.)**

This section asks your opinions about and satisfaction with the
Just-in-Time procedures (e.g., IRB and IACUC approval and Other Support
information). Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with
the following statements.

  -------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------
                             Strongly              [Agree]{.underline}   Neither agree nor        [Disagree]{.underline}   Strongly                 Don't know/\
                             [agree]{.underline}                         [disagree]{.underline}                            [disagree]{.underline}   Not
                                                                                                                                                    [applicable]{.underline}

  F1. Not having to submit                                                                                                                          
  Just-in-Time materials at                                                                                                                         
  the same time the grant                                                                                                                           
  application is due:                                                                                                                               

  a\. Saves me time when                                                                                                                            
  preparing my application                                                                                                                          

  b\. Makes the grant                                                                                                                               
  preparation process easier                                                                                                                        
  for me                                                                                                                                            

  F2. I can't postpone the                                                                                                                          
  preparation of                                                                                                                                    
  Just-in-Time materials                                                                                                                            
  until pre-award                                                                                                                                   
  notification because of                                                                                                                           
  the time it takes for                                                                                                                             
  these materials to be                                                                                                                             
  reviewed at my institution                                                                                                                        
  -------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ --------------------------

-   **F2 -- 27.7% of PIs indicated they could not postpone preparation
    of JiT materials until pre-award notification because of the time it
    takes for the materials to be reviewed by their institution. These
    respondents answered "agree" or "strongly agree" to F2.**

We are also interested in how you feel about the following aspects of
the Just-in-Time procedures. Please rate your satisfaction with each by
checking one box per line.

  ------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- --------------------------
                      Very                      [Satisfied]{.underline}   Neither satisfied nor        [Dissatisfied]{.underline}   Very                         Don't know/\
                      [satisfied]{.underline}                             [dissatisfied]{.underline}                                [dissatisfied]{.underline}   Not
                                                                                                                                                                 [applicable]{.underline}

  F3. The time                                                                                                                                                   
  allowed to submit                                                                                                                                              
  Just-in-Time                                                                                                                                                   
  materials once I am                                                                                                                                            
  notified that I may                                                                                                                                            
  receive an award                                                                                                                                               

  F4. The                                                                                                                                                        
  coordination among                                                                                                                                             
  NIH staff asking                                                                                                                                               
  for Just-in-Time                                                                                                                                               
  materials                                                                                                                                                      
  ------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- --------------------------

-   **F3 -- 72.8% of PIs are satisfied with the time allowed to submit
    JiT materials once notified they may receive an award but more than
    a quarter (27.2%) felt either neutral (neither satisfied nor
    dissatisfied) or dissatisfied with the time allowed**

-   **F4 -- While 70.2% of PIs indicated they were satisfied with the
    coordination among NIH staff asking for JiT materials, nearly 30%
    were either neutral ("neither satisfied nor dissatisfied") or
    dissatisfied ("dissatisfied" or "strongly dissatisfied") with the
    coordination among the NIH staff**

F5. Overall, how satisfied are you with [Just-in-Time]{.underline}?

> Very Satisfied
>
> Satisfied
>
> Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied
>
> Dissatisfied
>
> Very Dissatisfied

-   **F5 -- Just over three fourths (75.6%) of PIs reported that overall
    they are satisfied with JiT**

**[Information/Comparisons for those that have won a modular award
("winners") and those that have not ("non-winners")]{.underline}**

-   **Overall finding - few differences between winners and
    non-winners**

-   **Key similarities:**

    -   **E1 - 75.5% of non-winners compared to 82.9% of winners are
        satisfied overall with the modular grant application process**

    -   **E2 - 58.9% of non-winners, compared to 61.6% of winners, would
        prefer the modular grant limit be higher than \$250,000**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **Key differences:**

    -   **F3 -- 75.9% of winners compared to 61.5% of non-winners report
        being satisfied with the time allowed to submit JiT materials
        once notified they may receive an award**

    -   **F4 -- Only 57.0% of non-winners compared to 73.6% of winners
        indicated they were satisfied with the coordination among NIH
        staff asking for JiT materials**

    -   **Overall satisfaction with JiT varied greatly with only 61.4%
        of non-winners reporting they were either "very satisfied" or
        "satisfied" with the JiT procedures compared to 81.8% of
        winners**