# Find Your NINDS Program Officer

#### If you know your Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), have already applied, or been awarded:

              -  **Pre-submission:** Contact the Scientific/Research Contact in Section VII of the NOFO. 
              -  **Post-submission:******Find your assigned Program Director in eRA Commons. 
              -  **Post-award:******Find your assigned Program Director in the Notice of Award. 

#### Otherwise, use one of these methods to identify the most relevant NINDS Program Officer for your inquiry:

NIH Matchmaker: Input your scientific text for a list of relevant Program Officers and funded projects most similar to your work

Use our decision-tree to guide you to the right NINDS Program Director

Search by research keyword on the NINDS Program Directors page

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## What are the roles of an NINDS Program Officers and other NINDS staff?

              - NINDS Program Officers  (sometimes called Program Directors) are the main point of contact for NINDS applicants and grantees. Program Officers are scientists who administer NINDS scientific programs, oversee grant portfolios, contribute to research priority setting, and assist grant applicants interested in applying for research opportunities.
              - NINDS Grants Management Specialists  oversee fiscal, business, and policy issues related to grants and awards. 
              - NINDS Scientific Review Officers  review applications, ensure fair evaluation, and provide summary of the evaluation. 
              - NINDS Health Program Specialists  support administration and evaluation of scientific programs, conduct scientific/administrative analyses, and assist with guidance to applicants and grantees. 
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For more information about NIH staff roles please visit: Understand Staff Roles

## When to contact an NINDS Program Officer

**Pre-submission, mandatory:**
              - Proposed budget exceeds $500,000 in annual direct costs. 
              - Submitting a Conference Grants (R13 or U13) or Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Grant.
              - Required per the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) or Notice of Special Interest (NOSI).

**Pre-submission, recommended:**
              - Assess the fit of your proposed research with the NINDS mission and strategic objectives or recommend other NIH initiatives.
              - Discuss eligibility criteria and the most appropriate grant type (funding mechanism) for your proposed research.
              - Clarify NIH and NINDS requirements regarding human subjects, vertebrate animals, rigor and transparency, data sharing in research, and other policies.

**Post-submission, recommended:**
              - Obtain advice regarding your pending application's priority score or discuss the reviewer critiques contained in your summary statement.
              - Find out the latest funding status for your application or if the funding decision on your application is deferred until later in the fiscal year.
              - Discuss next steps for your research proposal. If your application is eligible, discuss the possibility of resubmission.

**Post-award, mandatory:**
              - Discuss issues that may affect research progress and obtain approval for significant changes in research aims, scope of research, or clinical trial design.
              - Obtain approval for changes in key personnel or significant level of effort or institution.
              - It is also important to communicate about upcoming publications or other products of your research, including datasets, patents, etc.

## When to contact an NINDS Grants Management Specialist

Identify the NINDS Grants Management Specialist in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, eRA Commons, or the Notice of Award.

**Mandatory:**
              - Pre-award requests, our “just-in-time” process. 
              - Delay in completing paperwork required to issue your award.
              - Any action that requires NINDS prior approval. 

**Recommended:**
              - Questions about your budget or other support on your grant.
              - Questions about any terms and conditions on your Notice of Award.
              - Clarification of NIH or NINDS Rules and Policies.
              - Any issue that your business office does not handle or cannot advise you about.

## When to contact an NINDS Scientific Review Officer

**When to Contact**
              - To discuss the review assignment.
              - To request permission to send additional/corrective materials.
              - To discuss any study section or review concerns (e.g., expertise needed on the review panel, conflicts, reviewers that may have bias).

**Where to Find Contact Information**
              - After finding an NOFO                  - Refer to section VII of the NOFO for Peer Review Contact(s).
              - After application submission                  - Look in your eRA account or Notice of Award for the name and contact information for the assigned Scientific Review Officer for your application.

## Learn more about NINDS Program Officers and Health Program Specialists

**What is an NINDS Program Officer?**

**How do I find the right NINDS Program Officer?**

**What do I discuss with an NINDS Program Officer?**

**What is an NINDS Health Program Specialist?**

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