Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)

The Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements program is administered by the National Institutes of Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This funding opportunity is designed specifically for current recipients of NIH research awards who require additional financial support to address unforeseen cost increases that arise during the lifecycle of an already approved and peer-reviewed project. Rather than supporting entirely new research initiatives, this program provides supplemental funding to ensure the successful continuation and completion of existing projects within their originally approved scope. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to allow grantees to request additional funds when unexpected expenses threaten the progress or integrity of an ongoing research effort. These supplements must strictly align with the originally approved project scope and cannot introduce new aims or significantly alter the direction of the research. The program is structured as a prior approval request, meaning that applicants must coordinate directly with their assigned NIH Grants Management Officer and program officials before submission. This ensures that proposed supplemental activities remain compliant with NIH policy and funding priorities. Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizations such as state and local governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, tribal governments, and certain for-profit entities. However, a critical eligibility requirement is that applicants must already hold an active NIH award that is not in a no-cost extension phase. The proposed supplemental work must be completed within the current competitive segment of the parent award. Additional restrictions apply to international collaborations, particularly those involving foreign subawards or subcontracts, which are not permitted under this opportunity unless specifically authorized through designated funding announcements. Funding provided through this opportunity is discretionary and subject to the availability of funds within the awarding NIH Institute or Center. There are no predefined award ceilings, floors, or total program funding levels specified in the announcement. As a result, applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with NIH staff prior to submission to assess feasibility and likelihood of funding. Cost sharing or matching is not required, reducing financial barriers for eligible applicants seeking supplemental support. The application process is streamlined compared to standard grant submissions but still requires formal documentation and justification of the need for additional funds. Applications are submitted through established NIH channels and are reviewed internally rather than through external peer review panels. Evaluation focuses on the necessity of the requested funds, alignment with the approved project scope, and the applicant’s ability to complete the work within the remaining project period. This funding opportunity follows a long application window, with submissions accepted until November 30, 2028. While no specific recurring cycle is stated, the extended open period allows for rolling consideration of supplement requests as needs arise. Applicants should initiate discussions with NIH officials as early as possible when unforeseen costs are identified to ensure timely submission and review. Award decisions are contingent on both programmatic priorities and budget availability within the relevant NIH Institute or Center. For assistance or questions regarding the opportunity, applicants may contact the NIH Division of Grants Policy via the provided email address. This centralized support helps ensure compliance with NIH policies and facilitates communication between applicants and awarding components throughout the supplement request process.