Introduction

This site is devoted to general information regarding investigator-initiated Conference Grants (R13) or Conference Cooperative Agreement (U13) Awards. This site will updated as policies and information changes, so readers are encouraged to check back periodically.

The NIH recognizes the value of supporting scientific meetings that are relevant to its scientific mission and to the public health. A scientific meeting is defined as a gathering, symposium, seminar, conference, workshop, or any other organized, formal meeting where persons assemble to coordinate, exchange, and disseminate information or to explore or clarify a defined subject, problem, or area of knowledge.

The support of scientific meetings is highly contingent on the scientific interests and priorities of the individual Institutes and Centers (IC), as well as on the level of investment that each determines is appropriate. Therefore, a conference grant application is required to contain a letter from the appropriate NIH staff listed below (Contacts List) documenting advance permission. Investigators are urged to initiate contact well in advance of the application receipt date. Please note that acceptance of an application does not guarantee funding.

Eligibility

Any domestic organization eligible to receive grants from NIH, including a scientific or professional society, is eligible to apply for a conference grant or cooperative agreement. Both domestic and international conferences may be supported; however, an international conference can be supported only through the U.S. representative organization of an established international scientific or professional society.

Conference Grant Information

• NIH Guide Program Announcement (09/24/2003) - NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings.



• Contacts List (MS Word) - NIH staff who must be contacted for written approval prior to submission of an application. These individuals welcome inquiries for additional information.



• Receipt Dates - April 15, August 15, and December 15.



• Application Forms - Use the electronic version of the Form PHS 398 (rev. 05/2001). Supplemental instructions for conference grant and cooperative agreement applications are available in the NIH Guide Program Announcement. All ICs have additional, IC-specific conference grant application instructions which can be accessed through the Contacts List.



• Inclusion Information (09/26/2003) - Guidelines for Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in NIH-Supported Conference Grants.



• Frequently Asked Questions (MS Word) - Listing of common questions regarding the preparation and submission of conference grant and cooperative agreement applications. Please check back periodically, as these will be updated as new questions are received.

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