Other Support

Information on other support assists awarding agency staff in the identification and resolution of potential overlap of support. Overlap, whether scientific, budgetary, or commitment of an individual's effort greater than 100 percent*, is not permitted. The goals in identifying and eliminating overlap are to ensure that sufficient and appropriate levels of effort are committed to the project; that there is no duplication of funding for scientific aims, specific budgetary items, or an individual's level of effort; and only funds necessary to the conduct of the approved project are included in the award.

* Be aware of appointment type and clinical, teaching, and/or administrative requirements; effort may need to be capped at 95% (11.4 Calendar months) to allow time for those activities. Learn more about the Academic Senate 95% rule.

The Other Support Section of the Service Partnership Agreement was updated on 3/10/2022 to represent the current roles of the Principal Investigator, OSR Staff and the Department/Division. 

A checklist has been developed for the Department/Division to follow when creating the Other Support Document. 



NIH Other Support

New NIH Other Support Format

NIH expects applicants and recipients to use the updated other support and other support format for applications, Just-In-Time (JIT) reports, and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) as of May 25, 2021 and will require the use as of January 25, 2022. If applicants and recipients choose not to use the updated format pages at this time, they must still capture all the necessary information.

Beginning with due dates on or after January 25, 2022, failure to follow the appropriate formats may cause NIH to withdrawal applications or delay consideration for funding.

Summary

Other support includes all resources made available to researchers or senior key personnel in support of and/or related to all of their research endeavors, regardless of whether or not they have monetary value and regardless of whether they are based at the institution the researcher identifies for the current grant. 

Includes (but not limited to):

  1. All foreign and domestic entities
  2. Financial support for laboratory personnel
  3. Provision of high-value materials that are not freely available (e.g., biologics, chemical, model systems, technology, etc.)
  4. Does not include Training awards, prizes and gifts

If the PI's level of effort changes more than 25% from proposal, Prior Approval from NIH is required. 

Other Support Required Information

Include the following information:

  1. All resources, irrespective of whether such support is provided through the applicant organization, through another domestic or foreign organization, or is provided directly to an individual that supports the senior/key personnel’s research efforts
  2. In-kind (only) support
    • Visiting scholars/students working in lab who are supported by a domestic or foreign entity either through salary, stipend or receipt of living or travel expenses
    • Examples: Office/laboratory space, equipment, supplies, employees
  3. Overlap Statement 
    • Overlaps in science, budget, or commitment are disclosed and addressed in the Overlap Statement of the Other Support for each Senior/Key Person. The statement should identify affected projects, describe the overlap and how it will be remedied (Other Support Sample, Examples of Overlap Statements). For example:
      1. Relinquishment of duplicate award(s) if one application is submitted to two or more funding sources
      2. Adjustment of budget in conjunction with OSR and agency staff, for substantial duplication of research proposed in two applications
      3. Adjustment of effort in conjunction with OSR and agency staff, when total time commitment exceeds 100%
    • Scientific overlap occurs when (1) substantially the same research is proposed in more than one application or is submitted to two or more funding sources for review and funding consideration, or (2) a specific research objective and the research design for accomplishing the objective are the same or closely related in two or more applications or awards, regardless of the funding source

NIH does not require disclosure of recently completed support in Other Support submissions, only current and pending resources.

NIH Other Support is required for all Senior/Key Personnel at Just-in-Time (JIT) and changes are reported in each annual research performance progress report (RPPR).

Other Support submissions must be submitted as a flattened PDF, after all signatures are obtained. NIH requires a certified signature through the use of electronic signature software.  A typed name or scanned inked signature are not acceptable.   UCSF electronic signature software include Adobe Acrobat Professional and Docusign. 

 New UCSF Process Implemented 9/3/2024:

Each Senior/Key Personnel are required to initial and sign an attestation cover letter in DocuSign along with providing their signature on the Other Support document (already required by NIH). 

It is important that the Department Administrators that assist with the Other Support document use the templates provided when obtaining signatures from Senior/Key Personnel. The attestation cover letter will be required for all NIH Other Support requests*. OSR has developed a training quick guide and a short video (Requires UCSF MyAccess) on how to use the new Other Support DocuSign template.

*Some applications (e.g., NIH Career Development Awards or K-series) require the current and pending (other) support for the named mentor. Please note that the mentor’s other support format is different as they are not required to disclose effort or overlaps. In this case, the attestation DocuSign template is not applicable and should not be used. 

As part of the template, PIs and Senior and Key Personnel will attest to the following:

  • I understand NIH policies and requirements for Other Support, including definitions of overlap, and that I have a professional and ethical responsibility to disclose any type of overlap.
  • I understand that omitting information or failing to disclose scientific, budgetary, or commitment overlap is a violation of NIH policies and will lead to loss of grant funding.
  • My signature on the Other Support form affirms that I have reviewed the information contained therein and all information is current, accurate, and complete.
  • Submitting misinformation to NIH puts me at risk of violating UCSF Code of Conduct requirements, puts UCSF’s reputation at risk, and could lead to NIH imposing increased administrative requirements or withholding funds.

Important Resources:

Please review the Off-Cycle RA Town Hall that provided an overview of NIH Other Support and the importance of disclosing overlap. Townhall Slide Deck (Requires UCSF MyAccess) and Town Hall Video Recording (Requires UCSF MyAccess).

Stay tuned for future announcements detailing additional training, reporting and recommendations for the Other Support process.

 

NSF Current and Pending Support

All proposed and ongoing projects from all sources (federal, state, local, foreign, public or private foundation, non-profit, industry or commercial, or internal funds), whether provided through the proposing organization or provided directly to the individual.

NSF Current and Pending Support is a required for each individual designated as senior personnel as part of the proposal.  Proposers must use SciENcv to prepare their Current and Pending Support for proposal to NSF. 

Current and Pending Required Information

  1. All resources made available to an individual in support of and/or related to their research efforts, regardless of whether or not they have monetary value
  2. All in-kind contributions (e.g. office/laboratory space, equipment, supplies, employees, students) or items or services, whether intended/not intended for use on the project/proposal, and with the expectation of an associated time commitment
    • If the time commitment or dollar value is not readily ascertainable, reasonable estimates should be provided
      1. In-kind contributions intended for use on the project with no associated time commitment are included in the Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources section of the proposal and are not replicated in the current and pending support
      2. In-kind contributions not intended for use on the project with no associated time commitment are not reported
      3. Startup packages from any organization other than the proposing organization
      4. If the project or any part of the project was funded previously by a source other than NSF, information must be provided regarding the last period of funding

DOD Current and Pending Support

DOD Guidance from FY22 General Application Guide:   

For all previous (award period of performance ending within the past 5 years), current, and pending (includes period of time awaiting funding status and/or period of time awaiting start date) research support, include the title, time commitments, supporting agency, name and address of the funding agency’s procuring Contracting/Grants Officer, performance period, level of funding, brief description of the project’s goals, and list of the specific aims. If applicable, identify where the proposed project overlaps with other existing and pending research projects. Clearly state if there is no overlap.

List all positions and scientific appointments, both domestic and foreign, held by senior/key personnel that are relevant to an application, including affiliations with foreign entities or governments. This includes titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments whether or not remuneration is received, and whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary (including adjunct, visiting, or honorary).

An updated previous, current, and pending support document will be required if an award is recommended for funding.

Added IN FY22 General Application Guide:

New Requirement: Certification Regarding Disclosure of Funding Sources. The proposing entity must comply with Section 223(a) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which requires that the PI, Partnering PIs (if applicable), and all key personnel:
• Certify that the current and pending support provided on the application is current, accurate, and complete;
• Agree to update such disclosure at the request of the agency prior to the award of support and at any subsequent time the agency determines appropriate during the term of the award; and
• Have been made aware of the requirements under Section 223(a)(1) of this Act.

False, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may result in criminal, civil, or administrative penalties (U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001).

DOD Resources