Funding
Awards are cost-reimbursable and are issued to the institution, not the individual. Network member organizations in Region 1 are eligible to apply. Note: Final approval of project awards is contingent on the availability of funds.
Description of Award
The mission of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public's health by providing U.S. researchers, health professionals, public health workforce, educators, and the public with equal access to biomedical and health information resources and data.
This project award supports the purchase, installation, and upgrading of equipment, hardware or software that fosters capacity to find, retrieve, evaluate, interpret, utilize, and share reliable online health information. All projects must include the purchase of equipment, hardware and/or software to provide health information and should align in support of the NLM 2017-2027 Strategic Plan.
Preference may be given to NNLM network members who have not previously been funded during the 2021-2026 Cooperative Agreement.
Projects that serve a wide range of communities are welcomed! Projects that include engagement and reach to those with unique needs are encouraged, but not exclusively limited to:
- Rural Populations
- Populations reported below the Federal Poverty Level
- Children and youth
- Elderly populations
- Populations with limited access to medical care
- Soldiers, Veterans and Military Families
Potential projects may include but are not limited to (this list is not meant to be all-inclusive):
- Replicating programs like Baltimarket to provide dedicated workstations to locate health and nutrition information as well as an interface to place online grocery orders to be delivered to a public facility like a library or community center in food desert communities.
- Improving access to health information and information technology for underserved areas without adequate access to library and information services.
- Rural and public health professionals utilizing technology to support access to online health information for underserved areas.
- K-12 educators dedicating workstations for students to use and research health, nutrition, and fitness in conjunction with the creation and maintenance of a community garden.
Please contact the NNLM Region 1 office for a consultation on project ideas.
This award is ONLY open to NNLM Region 1 Network member organizations. Not a member yet? Join for free!
Project Considerations
Projects containing Human Subjects Research components will not be reviewed or considered for funding. Applicants that can generate a determination letter from their IRB stating that their project does not meet regulatory definitions should submit documentation as soon as possible.
Projects requesting funding for the purchase of medical equipment is not allowed and will not be considered.
If you have questions, please reach out to nnlm1@hshsl.umaryland.edu
Application Instructions
You will need to submit your application online. It is recommended that you use the following outline to draft your proposal, then submit online.
Before attempting to submit your application for funding in the NNLM online application system:
- Confirm that your institution is a NNLM Member with a NNLM Member record. A Member record is required to submit an application. Membership is not automatic.
- Not sure if your institution is a Member or has a Member record? Search the NNLM Membership Directory or contact your Region 1 Regional Medical Library
- If your institution is not a NNLM Member, be sure to submit an application for Membership prior to the the application submission.
- Confirm that you (the applicant) have an individual NNLM Account (this is in addition to the NNLM Organizational Membership)
- You must be logged in to your NNLM account to successfully submit an application.
- If you are submitting an application on behalf of the Project Lead, the Project Lead must also have an NNLM account prior to submission.
- Confirm that your NNLM account is connected to the NNLM Member record for your institution.
- To connect, fill in the “Organization” field on your NNLM account using the autocomplete function. When correctly filled, you will see a 5-digit NNLM ID in parenthesis beside the institution name.
- If you are submitting an application on behalf of the Project Lead, the Project Lead must also be connected to the NNLM Member record for your institution prior to submission.
Please note: You cannot successfully submit an application without these components. If you have questions about these or any other system requirements, please email NNLM Region 1 at least 1 week in advance of the application deadline.
Application Overview Information
- Lead Organization: Select the institution that will lead and receive funding to conduct the proposed project.
- If the drop-down list appears blank, confirm that your NNLM account is connected to the NNLM Member record for your institution. (See System Requirements above)
- Project Lead: If you are the Project Lead, select your own name from the drop-down list. If you are submitting this application on behalf of the Project Lead, select their name from the drop-down list.
- If the name of the Project Lead does not appear in the drop-down list, confirm that their NNLM account is connected to the NNLM Member record for the institution. (See System Requirements above)
- Institution Tax ID: Enter the 9-digit tax identification number for your institution.
- Unique Entity ID Number: Please confirm your organization’s UEI number. If you do not have a UEI number, apply for one as soon as possible. Please note this is NOT the DUNS number requested in the past.
- Have you/your institution previously received NNLM funding in the current grant cycle?
- Select Yes, No, or I Don’t Know.
- Amount Requested: The amount specified should not exceed the limit established by the RML/Office. Contact your RML/Office if you have questions about the funding amount. This field will accept numbers only. Enter the amount to the nearest whole dollar.
Project Proposal
- Project Title: Describe the project with an external audience in mind. Funded projects are displayed on the NNLM website and are provided by NLM in response to data calls from NIH, HHS, OMB, Congress, and the White House.
- Project Summary: Provide a one-paragraph description that summarizes the proposed project. Funded projects are displayed on the NNLM website and are provided by NLM in response to requests from NIH, HHS, OMB, Congress, and the White House.
- Partner Organizations: Use the autocomplete function to find and select existing records for up to three (3) organizations that will partner with the Lead Organization to conduct/complete the project.
- If a record does not exist for a partner organization, click “Partner Organization not Listed?” and use the additional fields under “Add Partner Organization” to provide the institution name and address.
- Training be Provided as Part of this Award: Select yes or no. (Training refers to education provided towards health programming, not on how to use the equipment purchased from grant funds, for example.)
- Proposed Start and End Dates for the Project: Select the appropriate dates. Contact your RML/Office before applying if your project will extend more than one year.
- Evidence of Need: Provide a statement of how the project proposed will support the mission of NNLM, explain the need for the project, and describe the audience or population that will be reached through this project. Please clearly document if this project will engage traditionally underrepresented populations and/or involve medically underserved areas. When possible, support the stated need using data such as known needs assessments or statistics.
- Project goals and objectives: State the goal(s) and specific objectives(s) of the proposed project. Goals should align to the NNLM Goals and Objectives. Please review the National Evaluation Center (NEC) resources for information on how to create evaluation plans and objectives.
- Implementation: Describe what will be done to meet project objectives and its rationale. Include tasks to be performed and who will perform them.
- Schedule/Timeline: Include a timeline for implementing the plan to meet objectives.
- Evaluation Plan: Funded projects are strongly encouraged to use the Subaward Participant Activity Survey (PAS-SUB) which is available through the NNLM National Evaluation Center Materials. The purpose of the PAS-SUB is to evaluate subaward-funded activities in a rigorous and standard manner and can serve as the sole evaluation tool for funded projects. This instrument is available in both English and Spanish. For proposals not using this instrument, describe how the project will be evaluated. Include data collection frequency, type of data to be collected, tools, and how data will be used or disseminated, and justification for not using the PAS-SUB.
- Publicity/Promotion: Briefly describe how you intend to promote your project to the target population. Please specify which NLM resources or NNLM national initiatives will be utilized, how they will be promoted, and how they will be utilized throughout the project.
- Continuity/Sustainability Plan: Describe the activities that will sustain project services and/or communication to the targeted community beyond the cooperative agreement period.
- Personnel Qualifications: If applicable, list the project personnel who will be involved in the project and include their role(s) and applicable experience. Combine and submit resumes or CVs for personnel listed as one attachment with your completed application.
The award is up to $10,000. Applicants are not required to budget for the maximum amount. You can request less.
Awards are cost-reimbursable and are issued to the institution, not the individual.
You will need to submit a budget table or spreadsheet that includes a narrative justification for budget items. This includes explaining the purpose of each item of the project and a breakdown of how fees were calculated.
Budget fields will accept numbers only. Enter each amount to the nearest whole dollar. If a budget line is not applicable for your project, you may leave it blank. The budget estimate should be categorized by the following, as they apply:
- Personnel: Include (hourly rate X estimated hours) or (% time X annual salary) in the budget justification attachments or descriptions. Check with your RML/Office for specifics on personnel.
- Consultant Costs: Estimated expenses from consultants, such as marketing firms or other agencies; Prior to hiring Consultants, submit the following information to the RML/Office: name of consultant, description of work, hourly rate, total amount/not to exceed amount, and period of performance.
- Equipment: Quotes for items required such as computers and other equipment. Include quotes received or other pricing information in the budget attachment or as another attachment.
- Supplies: Quotes for printing, publication costs and other materials. Include description and any quotes in the attached budget or as other attachment.
- Communications: Media, publicity, or other communication costs. Include description and any quotes in the attached budget or as other attachment.
- Reproduction: Printing materials or other reproduction costs.
- Travel: Estimates for travel. Include description and any quotes in the attached budget or as other attachment.
- Other: Include description and any quotes in the attached budget or as other attachment.
- Indirect Costs (IDC) or Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs: Apply at your institution’s non-research rate (or, if your institution has no negotiated rate, a 10% Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) can be applied if you wish to claim it). Indirect Costs need to be factored into your overall budget. The total budget cannot exceed the limit defined by the RML/Office you are applying to, including Indirect Costs.
- Other Funding if Applicable: Other funds that will be used to support the project should be specified. This includes matching funds, other grants, etc.
NOTE: You will need to submit a budget table or spreadsheet that includes a narrative justification for budget items. This includes explaining the purpose of each item of the project and a breakdown of how fees were calculated. Please refer to the NNLM Proposal Writing Toolkit “Budgeting” tab for an example Budget Template you can use. This can be uploaded in the attachments section of the online application.
Funding restrictions: Food, promotional items, and furniture are not allowable expenses. Promotional items include but are not limited to: Clothing and commemorative items such as pens, mugs/cups, folders/folios, lanyards, and conference bags that are sometimes provided to visitors, employees, grantees, or conference attendees. Refer to the NIH Policy on Allowability of Costs/Activities.
- Populations Served: Select all that apply, but these should be the primary populations targeted in your project. If not explicitly identified in the proposal section, please do not select it here.
- Participant’s Roles: Select all that apply. These are the primary roles of the participants of your project. These should be explicitly identified in the proposal section.
You are required to acknowledge the following statements before submitting an application:
- You will share the information gained with colleagues in your institution/RML/Office, as required by the Request for Proposal.
- You will submit regular, interim & final reports, as requested by the funding agency & stipulated in the Request for Proposal.
- Any web-based resources developed for this project will ensure accessibility to the greatest possible number of people.
- Additional documentation will need to be completed should your project be awarded. Please consult with your RML/Office for details.
You will need to submit your application online.
Additional Information
For support in grant writing, please see the NNLM Grants and Proposal Writing Course for tips on award applications.
Please refer to the NNLM Resource Guides:
Section 508 requires that all website content be accessible to people with disabilities. This applies to web applications, web pages and all attached files on the intranet, as well as, internet. The National Library of Medicine is a part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Recipients of National Library of Medicine funding through the NNLM must meet all requirements under Section 508. Information on 508 Compliance.
The following reports are required for NNLM subawardees. All reports will be submitted through the NNLM Data Reporting System (DRS).
- Within the first five days of the month following an activity or exhibit, subawardees are required to submit an Activity Report, including participant data.
- Subawardees are required to submit a Final Report within 30 days after completing a project or period of performance.
- If technology is purchased or provided as part of the project, subawardees are required to submit a Technology Report.
- If funds are included for librarian professional development as part of the project, subawardees are required to submit a Professional Development Report within 30 days after completing the professional development.
The following may be required, depending on the project:
- If training is provided to librarians as part of the project, subawardees can utilize the NNLM Training Evaluation Form to collect and share feedback on their training activities with NNLM
- If programming is provided to patrons or community members, subawardees can utilize Project Outcome resources from the Public Library Association to collect and share feedback on their program activities with NNLM.
Recipients of NNLM funding are required to deposit any peer-reviewed manuscript upon acceptance for publication in PubMed Central in accordance with the NIH Public Access Policy.
To facilitate the dissemination of knowledge and information associated with the NNLM Cooperative Agreement Award, all subawardees are required to share any data or training material resulting from funding. This information must be submitted to the following collection sites as applicable:
- Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) website;
- Other websites specifically designated by the NLM as part of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (considering changes in the project and data repositories required to maintain sharing within the Network).
In addition, recipients of funding are expected to use or adapt existing training materials before developing new materials. Consult with your RML/Office and the NNLM Training Office (NTO) prior to developing materials.
Per Section 8.2.1. - Right in Data (Publication and Copyrighting) of the NIH Grants Policy Statement. The NIH must be given a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable license for the Federal government to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use any materials developed as a result of funding and to authorize others to do so for Federal purposes, i.e. the ongoing development of the Network of the National Library of Medicine. Data developed by a subawardees/consortium participants and consultants are also subject to this policy.
Any resources developed with project funds must include an acknowledgment of NIH grant support and a disclaimer. Please consult with your RML/Office for the specific acknowledgement statement to be used for your project award.
Application Review and Scoring Criteria
A review committee selected by the Region 1 Office staff and may include Network members will review and score applications. The committee will review and score applications using standardized criteria to make final recommendations for funding.
Scored Review Criteria: Scale: 1-95
The application will be scored in the following areas:
- Significance (15 points max): Does the proposed program make a significant contribution to the mission of NNLM. Is there information on the target population provided? Are there estimates of the potential population and the portion expected to be reached? Is the target group or population described and the actual or perceived need for the proposed program is discussed?
- Methodology/Approach (40 points max): Does the statement show the logic and feasibility of the technical approach to reaching the target group or community? Are the types of outreach services provided for the target population appropriate, creative, and cost-effective? Does the project plan demonstrate sustainability or the ability to provide lessons learned for future programs? Does the proposed project add value to other initiatives? Does the project use local partners? Does the proposal include a timeline or implementation schedule for major events and activities? Does the program specify what NLM resources or NNLM national initiatives will be promoted and how they will be utilized throughout the project?
- Evaluation (15 points max): Is there an evaluation plan? Does the plan make sense given the goals and objectives? Is there a timeline and are individuals assigned responsibility for milestones or tasks? Are there other forms of evaluation that the project should consider or add? Is the plan thorough enough or feasible for the project?
- Project Staff (15 points max): Does the proposed personnel have experience in developing and conducting outreach and/or training programs in health information for patients, the public or health professionals. Do the proposed personnel have prior experience working with the target group? Is there evidence of institutional facilities and resources adequate to support the proposed programs. If applicable, do project partners bring experience to the project team?
- Budget (10 points max): Is the proposed budget within funding limits? Is the budget justification sound? Could budget items be eliminated or reduced without jeopardizing the project? Does it include money within allowable line items? Do they have line items that account for all the requested money?
For more information, please refer to Review and Selection of Proposals tab of the NNLM Proposal Writing Toolkit.