Research funding FAQs

Where do we find the details of the full RFP?
Under each RFP, under “RFP overview”, there is a link to download the RFP which provides the full scope of the project.

Where do we submit an application to the open Request for Proposals (“RFPs”)?
Applications to the open RFPs can be submitted through Proposal Central (https://proposalcentral.com/). Links are located under each RFP on the NWH website. Applicants will be directed to create a username and password (if applicant does not already have one). Once logged into the portal, complete your professional profile and institutional or company profile. In the grant opportunities tab, search for Nuttall Women’s Health. All open RFPs will be available here. For issues within proposal central, use the Help dropdown at the Proposal Central website to contact them. Regarding other inquiries specific to the research, contact [email protected].

What is the process to obtain funding for NWH RFPs?
The process to obtain funding is set forth in the following steps:

1. A one-page Letter of Intent will be submitted.
2. Invited proposals will be able to submit a full application.
3. Invited applications will be asked to host NWH at an on-site visit.
4. Invited applications will be asked to sign a grant agreement.
5. Grants will be awarded and administered pursuant to the grant agreement and subject to the Policies and Procedures.

How much is each individual award?
Awards are anticipated to be between $500,000 – $5,000,000 US Dollars per project for the following RFPs: D3, Odessa and Franklin Factor. The funding amount will be determined at the discretion of NWH and will be consistent with the scope of work proposed and deemed feasible in a one (1) to three (3) year time period. NWH expects to fund multiple projects within each RFP.

For XXcelerate, there is no specific funding limit. Funding requests should be consistent with the proposed scope of work that allows for expedited findings that impact women. Funding requests should be for one (1) to three (3) years.

How many awards will be funded?
There is no pre-set number of awards. The number of awards will be determined at the discretion of NWH. NWH expects to fund multiple projects within each RFP.

Who is eligible to apply to the Request for Proposals (RFPs)?
The RFPs are open domestically and internationally to both non-profit and for-profit organizations. Researchers at all levels and experience are encouraged to apply. Multidisciplinary and cross-sector collaborations are highly encouraged.

Who may serve as Principal Investigator?
If the grantee is a nonprofit institution, the PI(s) must hold a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree, and such PI(s) must have a faculty position or equivalent at a college, university, medical school or other research facility. If the grantee is not a nonprofit institution, the PI(s) must hold a permanent position of appropriate seniority, as determined by NWH.

Are early career investigators eligible to apply?
Yes. Early career investigators are eligible and encouraged to apply. We welcome proposals from researchers at all career stages, including those seeking to establish themselves in this field.

Are investigators without prior experience in women’s health eligible to apply?
Yes. Investigators who have not previously worked in women’s health are eligible. We encourage applications from individuals with relevant expertise in other fields who are interested in bringing their expertise to the research questions outlined in the NWH RFPs.

Is prior collaboration between investigators required?
No. Prior collaboration is not required. Proposals from newly formed teams are encouraged, especially if they bring together diverse or complementary expertise relevant to the research goals.

Is there a preference for interdisciplinary teams?
Yes. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged, particularly when the research question spans multiple domains or requires integration of diverse methodologies. However, each proposal will be evaluated on its merits, and interdisciplinary teams will not necessarily be subject to an advantage.

Is overlap with other funded projects or published work allowed?
Significant overlap is not allowed. Proposals should represent new ideas and directions that are not already supported by other grants or substantially covered in published materials by the investigative team or others.

Is it acceptable to build on previous work?
Proposals may build on prior insights, but they must clearly demonstrate how the aims and approaches are distinct from past or current projects. The novelty and potential impact of the proposed work are key review criteria. Incremental studies will not be considered responsive.

Is it necessary to have preliminary data?
Preliminary data is not required. While supportive data may strengthen a proposal, we encourage exploratory or conceptual work that aims to break new ground.

If funding for a related project was previously terminated, can that project be submitted for a NWH RFPs?
A previously terminated project may be considered only if the proposed research aligns with the goals of one of the NWH RFPs and represents a substantially new and innovative scientific direction. Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the work advances beyond any prior efforts and adhere to the criteria outlined in the specific RFP. Projects that simply seek to continue previously funded aims without adhering to NWH’s criteria will not be competitive.

Is the proposed research expected to align exactly with the NWH RFPs?
Proposals should align clearly with the overarching goals and scope as stated in the RFPs. Projects that are not directly responsive to the specified objectives will not be considered.

Are animal studies excluded?
No, animal studies are not precluded as tools to support scientific hypotheses, but all proposals must have a human component. See individual RFPs for guidelines for animal use.

What assurances are needed for research with human or animal subjects?
All ethical approvals must be in place within three (3) months of grant execution and maintained throughout the term of the grant. For further details see the Organizational Assurances section in our Policy and Procedures.

Are multiple proposals allowed to be submitted by a single potential grantee (whether individually or as part of a team)?
Yes.

Is it possible to have multiple applicants on a submission?
Yes. Multiple collaborators and investigators can be on a single submission, but only the contact Principal Investigator (PI) will be able to submit the application on the portal. Please refer to the Glossary section in our Policy and Procedures.

Are submissions allowed to be edited after submission?
No.

Is there a maximum allowable budget?
For Odessa, D3 and Franklin Factor, the maximum total budget (including direct and indirect costs) per project is $5,000,000 for three (3) years. Proposals exceeding this limit will not be considered. Proposals where the scope of work is not consistent with the proposed budget will not be considered.

For XXcelerate, there is not a prespecified budget. The budget request should be consistent with the scope of work proposed. The time period for the grant should be one (1) to three (3) years and align with NWH’s mission to accelerate science that impacts care for women.

Is indirect cost recovery allowed?
For non-profit institutions, indirect costs are allowed up to 15% which should be included in the total budget request. For for-profit companies, indirect costs are not allowed.

Is salary support for investigators allowed?
Yes. Salary support for principal investigators and key personnel is permitted (to the extent approved in the budget), provided it is appropriate and proportional to their level of effort on the project. Investigators can request up to 100% effort if it is consistent with their scope of work on the proposed project.

Is subcontracting to collaborators or partner institutions permitted?
Yes. Subcontracts are permitted, including to collaborators at other institutions, if they are consistent with the terms of the grant and NWH policies.

Is funding for travel allowed?
Yes. Travel costs are allowed as part of an approved budget if they are necessary for project execution or dissemination (e.g., for sample collection, collaboration meetings, or presentation of findings). All travel should be justified and aligned with the project goals.

Are publication costs covered?
Yes. Publication and Open Access fees are allowable costs and may be included in your grant budget.

Is funding for administrative or operational support staff allowed?
Yes. Support staff (e.g., research coordinators, technicians, data managers) may be included in a manner that is commensurate with their expertise, the size and scope of the project supported by the grant, and the time dedicated to such staff member’s work on the grant. Postdoctoral positions and graduate research assistants must be employees of the grantee with standard benefits. Funds may not be used for fellowship stipend supplementation unless specifically authorized by NWH. Justification for any staff should be provided in the budget narrative. For further details see the Salary and Stipend Support section in our Policy and Procedures.

Are equipment purchases or leases allowed under the budget?
Freezers required for the proposed project are allowed, as approved on the budget, in an amount up to $15,000. Other equipment purchases with a value of less than $10,000 will be allowed with adequate justification. Equipment purchases exceeding $10,000 generally will not be approved (except with respect to freezers), unless an exception is allowed as set forth on the budget.

Expenses for leasing equipment are allowed, to the extent approved in the budget, if the equipment is essential to the project and used specifically for the duration of the grant. All equipment costs must be clearly justified.

How is funding administered?
Funds will be disbursed every six months after review (and successful completion) of pre-specified and agreed upon milestones for each period.

Is funding guaranteed for the full length of the proposal?
The total funding amount will be provided so long as milestones are met. Continued payments are subject to compliance with the grant agreement (including the Policies and Procedures) and periodic evaluations to ensure progress aligns with the agreed-upon objectives.

Are unspent funds allowed to be carried over?
Carryover will be subject to the approval of NWH based on progress and milestones with yearly financial statements.

When can NWH withhold or reclaim funds?
NWH can withhold or reclaim funds in accordance with the grant agreement executed with the grantee. Such reasons for withholding or refunding claims include late reports, inadequate progress or unauthorized changes. Payments may resume upon correction, in the discretion of NWH.

What is required to activate a grant?
An executed grant agreement submitted electronically to NWH is required within 10 days of receiving the contract.

What is required to close out a grant?
Final progress and financial reports are required to close out a grant and unspent funds must be returned. NWH will provide a closeout confirmation. For further details see the Close Out section in our Policy and Procedures.

Who owns inventions developed with NWH funding?
NWH seeks to ensure that all discoveries that will improve the health of women are available to women. Our IP policy supports this goal. For further details see the Intellectual Property section in our Policy and Procedures.

Are NWH grants audited?
Yes. NWH can request or review all financial and research records during and up to four (4) years following the year in which all grant funds are fully expended, unless specified otherwise in the grant agreement. Please refer to the Auditing section in our Policy and Procedures.

What is NWH’s policy on research misconduct?
Any finding of misconduct (fabrication, falsification or plagiarism) results in termination and repayment of unspent funds. Please refer to the Research Misconduct section in our Policy and Procedures.

How is progress reported?
At a minimum, brief progress and financial reports clearly outlining key developments and challenges on milestones are to be submitted on Proposal Central or directly to a NWH program manager as determined by NWH twice a year at six (6) months and twelve (12) months in the funding year.

The financial progress reports should include how funding was spent across budget areas and subcontracts. Reports are required to be submitted prior to the disbursement of funds, which is expected to occur every six (6) months.

Are there any financial statements required?
Yes. Financial statements, which are separate from financial progress reports, are to be submitted within 120 days after the close of each grant year. An annual financial statement should include, without limitation, (i) a statement of the receipts and expenditures made from the grant during the year adequate to enable the use of the grant to be checked readily, (ii) statements showing the condition of the grant in both balance-sheet and profit-and-loss form as of the end of the year, (iii) a narrative description of the use of the grant during the year, (iv) statements showing the condition of the grantee as a whole in both balance-sheet and profit-and-loss form as of the end of the year and (v) a narrative description of progress toward the goals of the grant, in the context of the grantee’s overall activities, during the year.

All grantees (whether U.S. or non-U.S. based, and whether nonprofit or for-profit) agree to cooperate with NWH to assure that NWH is able to satisfy all of the requirements of an expenditure responsibility grant in accordance with Section 4945(h) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and regulations thereunder. Please refer to the Use of Funds and Reporting section in our Policy and Procedures. If applicable, please also refer to the International Awards section.

What metrics and milestones will be measured?
Each project will have specific metrics and milestones that are proposed by applicants as part of the submission process and agreed upon by the research team and NWH prior to the initiation of funding. The agreed upon milestones will be set forth in the grant agreement.

How will metrics be measured?
At a minimum, metrics will be formally assessed through twice annually submitted progress and financial reports and reviewed by NWH. Success will be measured against the benchmarks previously agreed upon. Feedback will be provided to research teams, fostering ongoing bidirectional discussions to support progress and discovery. Failure to meet these standards can result in delayed payments, grant termination or required repayment of unspent funds.

Are changes in research direction or aims allowed?
The research aims or direction may change if findings on the project to date indicate the change would have greater impact for the field. A formal request to NWH must be submitted and approved prior to any change in research direction. Please refer to the Change in Approved Proposal, Research Plan or Aims section of the Policies and Procedures.

Are changes to the PI or other key staff allowed?
Yes, changes to the PI or other key staff are allowed with formal request and NWH approval. For details, please refer to the Change of Principal Investigator or Key Personnel section in our Policy and Procedures.

Can effort allocation be changed?
Changes to the grant proposal in percent effort of project or key personnel are permitted with the prior approval of NWH.

What happens if a PI changes institutions?
The grant may be transferred, subject to approval and documentation from both the original and the new institutions and with NWH approval. For details, please refer to the Change of Institution section in our Policy and Procedures.

Are grantees expected to participate in NWH events?
Yes. Attendance at NWH meetings, workshops and symposia is expected. Travel to NWH meetings by key personnel should be included in budget costs.

What acknowledgment should I include in my publications?
All publications (including but not limited to preprints, web or media communications, posters and books) must include the following statement: “This work was supported by a grant from Nuttall Women’s Health (Grant Number, Awardee Initials).”

Are grantees required to share data and materials?
Yes, NWH requires data and material sharing among NWH Investigators and as directed. De-identified data must be shared with NWH upon request. Please refer to the Cooperation and Information Sharing section in our Policy and Procedures.

Can findings be published from NWH-funded research immediately?
NWH seeks to ensure that scientific advancement is quickly disseminated to the public while maintaining rigor and clarity in the stated findings. Therefore, prior to submission, all publications (including abstracts) based on NWH-funded work must first be submitted to NWH for review and approval. NWH must receive a minimum of 30 days to review submissions of abstracts, and two (2) months to review publications. All efforts to expedite review will be taken. Please refer to the Publications and Acknowledgment section in our Policy and Procedures.

Where can NWH-funded research be published?
NWH requires that all publications be submitted as preprints (e.g., BIoRxV, MedRxiv). Publication fees are allowable costs and may be included in your grant budget. Please refer to the Publications and Acknowledgment section in our Policy and Procedures.

Who should I contact for grant-related questions?
Email ([email protected]) with the PI name, grant title and Award ID in all correspondence with NWH.