Change of Recipient Organization (Transfer) Purpose and Background
A request for a change of recipient organization is subject to the prior approval of NIDA program and grants management staff and must occur prior to the expiration of the competitive segment. We strongly encourage you to contact both your NIDA Program Officer and your NIDA Grants Specialist as soon as you begin planning to make a move. The timing of your transfer request can have significant implications. The telephone number and email address of your NIDA Program Officer and your NIDA Grants Specialist are available in the eRA Commons.
A change of recipient organization request normally will be permitted only when all of the permanent benefits attributable to the original grant can be transferred, including equipment purchased in whole or in part with grant funds. In reviewing a request to transfer a grant, NIH will consider whether there is a continued need for the grant-supported project or activity and the impact of any proposed changes in the scope of the project.
A request for change of recipient organization should include mention as to whether the change in recipient institution is related to concerns about safety and/or work environments (e.g., due to concerns about harassment, bullying, retaliation, or hostile working conditions) involving the PD/PI. NIH will in turn be better positioned to enable informed grant-stewardship decisions regarding matters including, but not limited to, substitute personnel and institutional management and oversight.
NIDA expects both the relinquishing and applicant organizations to disclose whether a Change of Recipient Organization is occurring within the context of an ongoing or recent investigation of misconduct of any kind, including but not limited to professional misconduct or research misconduct.
A change of recipient that involves the transfer of a grant to or between foreign organizations or international organizations must also be approved by the NIDA Advisory Council or Board.
NIDA recommends that you begin the formal process of requesting the transfer of your grant at least sixty days in advance of your move to the new institution. Failure to provide timely notification may result in disapproval of the request or a delay in processing.
A change of recipient organization may be requested when the original recipient has agreed to relinquish responsibility for the grant before the expiration of the approved project period. The project, under the same Principal Investigator, may be supported at a new organization for a period up to the remainder of the previously approved project period in an amount not to exceed that previously recommended for direct costs, plus the applicable facilities and administrative (F&A) costs for the new organization for the remaining project period. However, the total amount for the new organization will be contingent on the availability of funds.
A request to transfer a grant requires the submission of information, signed by Authorized Organization Representatives (AORs), from both the current recipient organization and the proposed new recipient organization. It is recommended that all items be submitted electronically.
Submitting a Change of Recipient Organization Request:
FROM THE ORIGINAL RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
The current recipient institution must submit an "Official Statement Relinquishing Interests and Rights in a Public Health Service Research Grant. It is recommended that this be submitted electronically thru the eRA Commons Status tab.
- A paper relinquishing statement (PHS 3734) can be used in circumstances where electronic submission is not available. You can use the form in Word or in PDF.
Also, final FFR Expenditure Data and a Final Invention Statement are due to NIH from the relinquishing organization no later than 120 days after the end of NIH support of the project. Final FFR Expenditure Data should not be submitted until the original institution has received a revised NoA for the relinquished grant.
FROM THE NEW RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
There are two options for submitting a change of recipient organization request to NIDA. NIDA requests that a progress report be included in the application for all post-award transfers.
- Submit electronically via Grants.gov using the Parent Funding Opportunity Change of Recipient Organization (Type 7 Parent Clinical Trial Optional), https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/pa-21-268.html. Please see the Program Announcement for application instructions.
- Submit change of recipient organization request via email. Please follow instructions in the NIH Grants Policy Statement for the forms that are required in the Section on Change of Recipient Organization. Meanwhile, the application forms are located here https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html.
- Please note that this method should only be used if the organization is not able to submit electronically. This should be discussed with the assigned grants management specialist (GMS) prior to using this method.
Please note that NIDA may request additional information necessary to accomplish its review of the request. Acceptance of a relinquishing statement by NIDA does not guarantee approval of a transfer application for the continued funding of a project.
NIDA Contacts for Questions
For specific questions about a change of recipient organization request, contact the NIDA program official or grants management specialist of the grant. The telephone number and email address of the NIDA Program Officer and NIDA Grants Specialist are available in the eRA Commons.