Investigators Planning to Submit a Program Project Grant (P01) (HDRP Guidance)

Program Project/Center Grants (P series)External Web Site Policy support broadly based, multi-disciplinary research programs that have a major scientific objective or basic theme. A program project generally involves the organized efforts of relatively large groups, members of which are conducting research projects designed to elucidate the various aspects or components of this objective. A unique feature of the P01 process is that it requires both a pre-submission meeting and an Awaiting Receipt of Application (ARA). Investigators planning to submit a P01 should follow the HDRP process outlined below. All NCI P01 applications must be submitted through the active NCI Program Project Applications funding announcement (PAR-20-077External Web Site Policy).

Investigators planning to submit a P01, or Research Program Project Grant, should follow the HDRP process outlined below. All NCI P01 applications must be submitted through the active NCI Program Project Applications funding announcement (PAR-20-077External Web Site Policy).


P01 Pre-Submission Meeting

Before submitting a P01 application, a pre-submission meeting with HDRP/NCI staff will be required. This pre-submission meeting should be scheduled via teleconference, videoconference, or in person 6-9 months prior to the anticipated receipt date. Standard receipt datesExternal Web Site Policy for P01 applications are Jan 25, May 25, and Sept 25.

The pre-submission meeting will include the assigned Program Directors, investigators, staff from the P01 review branch of the NCI Division of Extramural Activities, and other identified NCI experts. The purpose of the pre-submission meeting is to discuss the P01 idea and for NCI staff to provide feedback on the proposed science, aspects that might raise concern with reviewers, and common flaws in P01 applications. Please note that all feedback provided at this meeting does not constitute a formal NCI review and should be taken as suggestions only. It is up to the investigators to determine which suggestions to incorporate into their submission.

Two weeks prior to the pre-submission meeting, the applicant must submit to HDRP a 3-5 page proposal that includes:

  • Investigator names
  • A description of each core
  • Specific aims and an abstract for each project
  • Target submission date

In addition, the proposed budget including Sub-Total Direct Costs, Total Direct Costs & Total Costs per year should be provided in a separate document.

Summary of P01 Timeline

When planning to submit a P01 application to HDRP, please consider the following overall timeline:

Topic Action Timetable
Pre-submission Meeting Investigator works with HDRP program staff to set up a meeting 6-9 months before receipt date
NCI Program Director provides the investigators with a summary of the meeting discussions 2-3 weeks after completion of the pre-submission meeting
Pre-submission Documents Investigator submits Awaiting Receipt of Application (ARA) request (required for direct costs ≥ $500,000) to the NCI/HDRP Program Director At least 8 weeks prior to application receipt date
NCI/HDRP staff reviews ARA for approval purposes 2-3 weeks after submission of ARA
Investigator submits a Letter of Intent to the NCI Referral Office using guidance found in the NCI Program Project Applications funding announcement (PAR-20-077External Web Site Policy) At least 30 days prior to application receipt date
Submission Investigator submits P01 application per the instructions in the active NCI Program Project Applications funding announcement (PAR-20-077External Web Site Policy). By Standard Receipt DatesExternal Web Site Policy

Formatting and Submission Guidelines to Consider

There are several formatting and submission guidelines to consider when preparing and submitting a P01:

  • The application must include at least three research projects that share a common central theme, focus and/or objective
  • Applicants may propose one or more Shared Resource Cores for the proposed research if needed. Both administrative and research support cores are allowed. Each Shared Resource Core must provide support and enhance the productivity, cost-effectiveness, and/or research outcome of at least two of the proposed research projects
  • The page limits and details for preparing an application can be found in the active NCI Program Project Applications funding announcement (PAR-20-077External Web Site Policy). Additional page limits described in the SF424 Application GuideExternal Web Site Policy must be followed.
  • You may contact your NCI Program Director at any time for additional guidance
Last Updated: 10 Oct, 2024