Are applicants with greater than 5 years of research training experience who have changed research directions or disciplines eligible to apply?
In unusual circumstances, exceptions to the 5-year limit may be approved, e.g., where significant changes in fields of study have occurred, such as moving from physical science to life science research, or from engineering to behavioral research. Such unique exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis and will require concurrence of NIH program staff of the Institute or Center (IC) most likely to be assigned the application for potential funding. IC concurrence must be obtained prior to submission and a statement describing the circumstances must be included in the application.
