NIH
Cooperative Agreements
Page at a Glance:
Overview:
Cooperative Agreements are financial assistance mechanisms used when substantial Federal programmatic involvement with the recipient during performance is anticipated by the NIH Institute or Center.
They are frequently used for complex projects headed by a single PI (U01) or for networks of sites around the country that undertake a standard clinical protocol and contribute data to a central data coordinating center (U10).
They may also be used for conference grants (U13) where NIH will have major involvement.
In general, cooperative agreements are awarded in response to RFAs, and not to unsolicited proposals. They frequently include special terms and conditions in addition to those that apply to grants.
- Like grants, cooperative agreement competing proposals may be for either a New project, by paper or electronic submission or for a Renewal.
- They also may be for a Competing Supplement, now called a Revision, to an existing award for project expansion. In addition to competing Supplements, Administrative Supplements may be proposed to cover increased costs or to support Diversity, or Reentry Individuals.
- Non-Competing Continuations are brief Progress Reports normally due two months prior to the start of the next budget period.
Proposal Preparation:
- Depending on the type of Cooperative Agreement proposal, follow the instructions for the same competing or non-competing NIH Grant Proposal Type, with these exceptions:
Cooperative Agreements may have specific deadlines determined by the RFA.
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Except for U13s, most Cooperative Agreement proposals still require paper applications.
You cannot use the Modular Budget format for competing proposals.
You cannot use the Streamlined Non-competing Award Process (SNAP) for Continuations.
