The postmark dates for submission of AREA grant applications, whether new, revised (amended), or renewal (continuation, type 2) are January 25, May 25, and September 25 (or the next working day if the date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday). However, the postmark dates for AREA applications that propose AIDS-related research (for definition, see the PHS-398 application form) are January 2, May 1, and September 1. Questions about postmark dates and other receipt issues may be directed to the Referral Office, Center for Scientific Review, at (301) 435-0715.

• Program Guidelines - Notice published in the NIH Guide (01/09/2003) describing features of the AREA program, including research objectives, eligibility criteria, application and review procedures, award criteria, contact persons. These guidelines are effective for applications submitted for the May 25, 1999 and subsequent receipt dates until further notice.



• April 23, 2001 NIH Guide Notice - Clarification of Current Public Health Service Grant (PHS 398) Form Instructions for the Academic Research Enhancement Award Program (AREA) Applicants
  
  
• List of schools/components that are ineligible to apply for AREA grants in FY 2004 (Excel).



• Application form for AREAs is the PHS 398. Supplemental instructions that must be observed are in the AREA Program Guidelines above.



• AREA FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions for AREA grants.



• Modular grant application and award procedures - effective for AREA applications beginning May 25, 1999.



• Persons to contact regarding AREA funding opportunities in the NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) and regarding questions about IC research interests.



• Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minorities  and  Research Supplements for Individuals with Disabilities - Principal Investigators holding an active Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15) Grant also may apply for a supplement under this program. Grantees with support from these mechanisms must check with the appropriate awarding component before an application for a supplement is submitted. Awardees of the R15 grants may apply only when the candidate is a high school or an undergraduate student. However, exceptions to these rules may be made. Applicants should check with their awarding components. Supplements to the R15 may provide support above the established dollar limits. A full description of these additional funding opportunities and procedures for submitting requests for supplements are contained in the two April 9, 2001 NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts Program Announcements linked above.



• Review Criteria for AREA Applications - Review Criteria for AREA Applications - AREA applications are evaluated using the standard NIH review criteria for unsolicited research grants. Reviewers will assess the AREA-specific programmatic features of an application under the Investigator and Environment criteria.



• Lists of individual AREA grants awarded (by state and institution) that provide grant number, permitting searches of NIH's CRISP database for an abstract of the project:
  2003 (Excel)   2002 (PDF)   2001 (PDF)   2000 (PDF)   1999 (PDF)   1998 (PDF)   1997 (PDF)  

• Success rates for AREA applications, FY 1985 - 2002



• AREA entry in Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Note: If you need help accessing any files above that are labeled as PDF, RTF, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint or RealPlayer, see Instructions For Downloading Documents and Electronic Forms.