Frequently Asked Questions About RFA-MH-22-100

• How do I know if a country qualifies as a Low- or Middle-Income Country (LMIC)?
• Will preference be given to applicants with a co-PI in a high-income country?
• Is NIMH prioritizing specific mental health topics or research on specific mental illnesses?
• What are the eligibility requirements for this FOA?
• Can the primary PI come from a US institution with a sub from a LMIC?
• Can a US institution be the primary while a foreign institution is secondary if the project is conducted at the foreign institution?
• Are MPIs allowed?
• What if I think a potential reviewer should not review my application because they have a conflict of interest?
• Can I request a specific reviewer for my application?

How do I know if a country qualifies as a Low- or Middle-Income Country (LMIC)?

LMIC designations are based on the 2022 World Bank Designations. See: World Bank designated  LMICs.

Will preference be given to applicants with a co-PI in a high-income country?

No preference is given for co-PI applications.

Is NIMH prioritizing specific mental health topics or research on specific mental illnesses?

No. All research topics that fall within the scope of and are responsive to the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) are welcome.

What are the eligibility requirements for this FOA?

Refer to Section III  of the FOA for complete eligibility information.

Can the primary PI come from a U.S. institution with a sub from a LMIC?

Yes, as long as the following criteria are met:

• Applications proposing a single PD/PI must have a primary academic appointment in a LMIC institution. Research projects must be conducted in a LMIC in which the single PD/PI has a primary appointment.
• Applications proposing multiple principle investigators (MPIs) must have at least one PD/PI who has a primary academic appointment in a LMIC institution. Research projects must be conducted in a LMIC where at least one PD/PI has a primary academic appointment.

See Section III  of the FOA for further information.

Can a U.S. institution be the primary while a foreign institution is secondary if the project is conducted at the foreign institution?

Yes, however, research project(s) must be conducted in a LMIC where at least one PD/PI has a primary academic appointment.

Are MPIs allowed?

Yes. Applications proposing MPIs must have at least one PD/PI who has a primary academic appointment in a LMIC institution. In addition, research projects must be conducted in a LMIC in which at least one PD/PI has a primary appointment.

What if I think a potential reviewer should not review my application because they have a conflict of interest?

Use the Assignment Request Form  to tell us if you know of a potential reviewer whom you believe could not provide an impartial review. Rosters are typically posted online 30 days before the review meeting. If you see a reviewer on the roster who might have a conflict of interest with your application, contact your scientific review officer (SRO) as soon as possible.

A researcher in your field who holds a different scientific opinion is not automatically considered biased. These individuals usually provide excellent reviews because they understand the scientific issues. Your SRO will consider the situation and make the final decision. If he/she agrees that there is a conflict, the reviewer will not be assigned to your application and will not be in the room during the discussion and evaluation of your application. (SROs will only be able to confirm that NIH policy was followed and will not be able to tell you if specific people were placed in conflict.) Learn more about NIH’s policy on conflicts of interest .

Can I request a specific reviewer for my application?

No, but you can provide recommendations about what expertise may be necessary. Use the Assignment Request Form  to tell us about the specific expertise needed to review your application. Do not provide names of potential reviewers.