Understanding the NIH Alphabet Soup
Applying for NIH fellowships comes with a whole new set of acronyms. Here’s a quick guide to the ones you’re most likely to encounter:
Funding Announcements
- FOA – Funding Opportunity Announcement
The official notice that describes eligibility, objectives, requirements, and deadlines for a grant or fellowship. - NOFO – Notice of Funding Opportunity
The newer term NIH is using in place of FOA. You may see both used, but they mean the same thing. - PA – Program Announcement
Another type of FOA that highlights areas of interest. - RFA – Request for Applications
A type of FOA/NOFO that announces a more specific research priority area. Fellowships usually come from Parent Announcements rather than RFAs, but you might see these for other mechanisms. - Parent Announcements
Broad FOAs/NOFOs that allow NIH Institutes and Centers to accept fellowship applications in all areas of science. The majority of F31 and F32 applications are submitted through parent announcements.
Fellowship Mechanisms
- F31 – NRSA Individual Predoctoral Fellowship
Supports promising doctoral students conducting dissertation research. - F32 – NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship
Supports postdoctoral researchers in advanced training and development of research independence. - NRSA – National Research Service Award
The program mechanism that provides support for research training, including F31 and F32 fellowships.
People and Roles
- PO – Program Officer
The NIH staff member who oversees fellowship programs within an Institute. They are your primary NIH contact. - SRO – Scientific Review Officer
The NIH staff scientist who manages the peer review process and assigns reviewers to your application. - GM – Grant Manager
Your institutional contact (at Vanderbilt, specific to your department) who manages internal deadlines, compliance, and submission. - PI – Principal Investigator
YOU are the PI on a fellowship application. - Candidate
YOU are the candidate - Sponsor(s)
The faculty who will provide mentorship for your fellowship research (usually your PhD or postdoctoral research advisor) - Sponsoring organization
The primary location where the research will occur - Applicant
Your sponsoring organization (Vanderbilt)
Review Process
- SRG – Scientific Review Group (Study Section)
The panel of scientists who review and score your application for scientific merit. - CSR – Center for Scientific Review
The NIH office that manages most fellowship reviews (and other grants like R01s).
Letters and Documents
- LOR – Letter of Reference
Required letters (3–5) written by individuals not directly involved in your project but who can speak to your training, potential, and qualifications. - LOS – Letter of Support
Letters from collaborators or others directly involved in your project, showing their commitment to your training and research plan.
Systems and IDs
- eRA Commons – Electronic Research Administration Commons
The NIH online portal for application submission and tracking. Applicants, sponsors, and referees all use this system. - ORCID – Open Researcher and Contributor ID
A unique identifier that links you to your research outputs and is required for NIH applications.
Funding Outcomes
- NOA – Notice of Award
The official document that confirms your fellowship has been funded.
More acronyms can be found on the NIH Glossary page: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/glossary.htm
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