Whats the difference between a request for applications (RFA) and a program announcement (PA)?
NIH publishes two types of funding opportunities to stimulate submission of applications in areas of high priority or special interest. Each FO includes information about the funding mechanism supported and which forms to use to apply. NIH publishes announcements with additional information and instructions for each FO in the NIH Guide. Requests for applications (RFAs) invite grant proposals in well-defined areas of research to accomplish a scientific program purpose at a specified funding level. RFAs have a one-time receipt date. They may be sponsored individually by one NIH Institute or Center or, frequently, by several Institutes and Centers that share a particular research interest. Applications submitted in response to RFAs are reviewed by specially convened review groups and compete with each other for the specified set-aside of funds. Program announcements (PAs) describe new, continuing, or expanded program interests of the NIH Institutes and Centers or announce the availability
