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The ´óÏóÊÓƵ (AHRQ) convenes peer review groups to conduct a scientific and technical evaluation of grant applications. With the new policy, it is AHRQ's intent that priority populations be included in studies such that the research design will explicitly allow for valid analyses to be conducted. Specifically related to the issue of peer review of grant applications, ´óÏóÊÓƵreviewers will assess the proposed research plan, including the applicant's discussion of intent to include one or more priority populations or the justification when priority populations are absent. Reviewers will also assess proposed study plans for outreach, recruitment, and retention of study participants, as well as the methods for conducting subgroup analyses for priority populations if applicable. These criteria will be factored in as a component of the overall assigned score for the application.

The policy does not mean that ´óÏóÊÓƵ (AHRQ) will not fund a grant if the project does not include any of the priority populations within its research design. Rather, ´óÏóÊÓƵintends that the overall portfolio of health services research conducted and supported by the Agency will be inclusive of all priority populations (inner city; rural; low income; minority; women; children; elderly; and those with special health care needs, including those who have disabilities, need chronic care, or need end of life health care).

With this policy, the goal is that AHRQ-supported research findings and related advances in health care practice and policy will be applicable to individuals from these populations.

The policy does not mean that ´óÏóÊÓƵ (AHRQ) will not fund a grant if the project does not include any of the priority populations within its research design. Rather, ´óÏóÊÓƵintends that the overall portfolio of health services research conducted and supported by the Agency will be inclusive of all priority populations (inner city; rural; low income; minority; women; children; elderly; and those with special health care needs, including those who have disabilities, need chronic care, or need end of life health care).

With this policy, the goal is that AHRQ-supported research findings and related advances in health care practice and policy will be applicable to individuals from these populations.

The ´óÏóÊÓƵ (AHRQ) ended its Public Health Emergency Preparedness Research Program in 2011. To access those resources, go to the .

Other Federal agencies continue helping the Nation prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. They include:

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Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Workforce is a collaboration of U.S. Government agencies, public health organizations, and health sciences libraries which provides timely, convenient access to selected public health resources on the Internet. Go to: .

Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Workforce is a collaboration of U.S. Government agencies, public health organizations, and health sciences libraries which provides timely, convenient access to selected public health resources on the Internet. Go to: .

Yes. This is one of a number of actions that, per HHS grants policy, require awarding agency prior approval. The grantee must submit a written request to change the Principal Investigator (PI) of a grant. The request should include the effective date of the change, a justification for the change, qualifications of the proposed replacement PI, the curriculum vitae of the proposed replacement PI, level of effort to be committed by this individual, complete current Other Support for the proposed PI, and budgetary changes resulting from the proposed change. The request is to be signed by the departing PI (if possible), the proposed PI, and an authorized institutional official.

If the departing PI is to remain on the grant in any capacity, his or her new title and level of effort should be indicated as well as whether or not he or she will be acting in a key personnel capacity.

The grantee institution should submit this information to the ´óÏóÊÓƵ (AHRQ) as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days before the expected date of the original PI's departure.

Approval is not automatic. If ´óÏóÊÓƵdeems the proposed replacement PI unacceptable, the grantee may propose another individual. If an acceptable replacement cannot be found, the grant may have to be terminated.

In general, the grantee may make minor changes in methodology, approach, or other aspects of the project objectives after an award has been issued. However, the grantee must obtain written prior approval from the awarding office for changes in scope, direction, or other changes that constitute a significant change from the objectives or purposes of the approved project. For details, refer to the Post-award Administration section of the HHS Grants Policy Statement (, 1.354 MB).

It is strongly recommended that the PI consult with the grantee institution's sponsored projects office for guidance before contacting ´óÏóÊÓƵstaff to determine if prior approval is needed.

Written requests for prior approval, signed by both the Principal Investigator and an authorized institutional official, are to be submitted to the attention of the grants management specialist named on the Notice of Award. Official approval or denial of the request will be provided to the grantee by the ´óÏóÊÓƵgrants management staff.

´óÏóÊÓƵprogram staff will be consulted for their recommendation as appropriate but are not authorized to provide official approval to the grantee, as program staff approval is not binding on the awarding agency.

Grant applications selected for funding by ´óÏóÊÓƵare funded in annual increments known as "budget periods" based on the needs articulated in the competing application and as approved by the Agency. A small number of ´óÏóÊÓƵgrants are multi-year funded (MYF) awards (awards in which the budget period and project period are the same and are longer than 12 months). For all ´óÏóÊÓƵawards, continued support after the first 12 months requires the annual submission of a financial assistance request in the form of either a progress report or a noncompeting continuation application, as specified in the terms of award. The RPPR or PHS 2590 continuation application is to be submitted to ´óÏóÊÓƵ3 months before the anniversary date of the award. Refer to the terms of award on the Notice of Award for more details.

All ´óÏóÊÓƵgrantees, except recipients of multi-year funded (MYF) awards (awards in which the budget period and project period are the same and are longer than 12 months) must use the Research Performance Project Report (RPPR) for progress reports submitted January 1, 2015, and beyond. Recipients of MYF awards must submit the PHS 2590 Non-Competing Continuation Progress Report, rather than the RPPR, until instructed otherwise.

The RPPR is a module in the eRA Commons system. The RPPR Instruction Guide (, 4 MB) is available on the NIH RPPR Web page under . Most ´óÏóÊÓƵRPPR instructions that differ from those of NIH are noted in the instructions and on this page.

Go to AHRQ's Noncompeting Application Requirements page for more details regarding submission of RPPRs or PHS2590s to AHRQ.

Funding for future years will not be provided without the submission of a non-competing continuation application.

Actions that require prior approval must be requested in writing. The request must be endorsed by an authorized institutional official and is to be submitted to the attention of the grants management specialist named on the Notice of Award. Official approval or denial of the request will be provided to the grantee by the ´óÏóÊÓƵ's (AHRQ) grants management staff. ´óÏóÊÓƵprogram staff will be consulted for their recommendation as appropriate but are not authorized to provide official approval to the grantee, as program staff approval is not binding on the awarding agency.