On Contracts: Preparing Your Application for an On-Time Submission

Applications for the Winter 2014 cycle of PCORI funding are due Tuesday, January 21 at 5:00 p.m. (ET). Preparing an application is not an easy task, and meeting the submission deadline adds to the challenge. We know that each application reflects many hours of preparation, the sacrifice of personal and family time, and a team’s passion and goals. Yet every cycle, we unfortunately are unable to send some applications on to our merit review process because they are late and/or incomplete.

To help you submit a complete application by the deadline, we call your attention to the recently posted PCORI Policy on Submission of Research Contract Applications. This policy addresses common applicant questions related to:

• Circumstances under which PCORI may accept a late application
• How to request an extension
• Technical issues that do not warrant a late submission
• How to notify PCORI’s helpdesk about issues that may jeopardize on-time submission
• How to appeal a rejection that results from a late submission

Incomplete applications, like late submissions, are eliminated from merit review. PCORI has received applications that, for example, did not include detailed budgets, research plans, and other required attachments. Please take the extra time needed to ensure that your submission is complete. PCORI does not accept corrections or additions to applications after the submission deadline.

We recognize that our application submission system, PCORI Online, differs from those of other research funding agencies. To help applicants navigate the system, we’ve developed a user manual that we encourage you to consult when preparing and submitting your application.

Last-Minute Guidance

As our Winter cycle application deadline approaches, we stand ready to help you in any way we can. Should you need assistance clarifying application requirements or navigating the PCORI online application system, please contact our helpdesk at pfa@pcori.org. We respond to helpdesk requests Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (ET).

Beginning Monday, January 13, and extending through Tuesday, January 21, during our normal business hours, you can speak to a PCORI staffer about administrative and application-submission issues by calling 202-627-1885. Please note that during the January 20 Martin Luther King Day holiday, help will be available by both email and phone from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET).

We look forward to receiving your application and wish you the best of luck during the review process.

Solomon is PCORI’s Director of Contracts Management
Hulbert is PCORI’s Pre-Award Manager