Frequently Asked Questions

What type of assistance does TSNRP provide after my grant is awarded?

A mandatory Grant Management Workshop is held each summer for newly funded principal investigators and their project directors. The workshop provides education on regulations and requirements of federally-funded research as well as practical information about the management and financial monitoring of your grant. Topics include Office of Management and Budget circulars, the Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGAR), human subject protection, and animal welfare.

In addition to the workshop, TSNRP staff provides assistance with grant management and handles issues about human subject protection, animal welfare, programmatic management, and financial monitoring.

What is the difference between my award start date and the actual day I begin my project?

The award start date is the official start date of a grant and the date from which reporting due dates are set. This date can be different from your actual project start date due to the time lapse in obtaining institutional review board (IRB) approval.

For example, if your award start date is 1 June 2010, you will be expected to submit an Annual Progress Report by 1 September 2011, even if you actually began your project in August 2010.

What is the difference between project period and budget period?

A project period is the time during which the research is conducted as proposed in your study timeline. The budget period is the period of financial support. It can be increments of time or represent the entire project period.

When are progress reports due?

Interim reports are due six months after the award start date. Annual reports are due 90 calendar days after the anniversary of the award start date. Final reports are due 90 calendar days after the expiration or termination of the award.

What should I do if I haven't completed my project by the award end date?

Request approval for a no–cost time extension through your grantee organization. A no–cost time extension lengthens the budget and project periods to allow more time for study completion. The request must include an amended timeline, updated budget, and justification.

No additional funds are awarded in a no–cost time extension. Remaining funds may not be expended beyond the budget period without an approved extension.

What is secondary institutional review board (IRB) approval?

Because TSNRP is part of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the university's Office of Research Compliance performs a secondary review of all TSNRP–funded research. This review ensures that local IRB reviews address all Department of Defense and other federal requirements.

What documents should I send to TSNRP for secondary IRB approval?

TSNRP developed a checklist outlining the necessary documents for secondary IRB approval (shaded items are required).

What types of dissemination opportunities are available?

Publication in peer-reviewed journals is the preferred dissemination method for research findings.

Other forums for dissemination include:

  • Local, regional, and national professional meetings.
  • Military nursing professional meetings.
  • Military administrative meetings.
  • Executive summary reports.

TSNRP–funded abstracts from completed projects are indexed on the Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) database. CINAHL is a major Internet reference source for nursing research.

Why does the National Technical Information Service charge for TSNRP's final reports?

Under Title 15, U.S. Code 1151–7, the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) recovers its costs from the sale of its products and services. Sales income covers salaries, cataloging and indexing, permanent storage and retrieval, and postage.