Question 1

Can participants submit more than one submission?

Accepted Answer

Participants are permitted to submit more than one submission, as long as those submissions are scientifically distinct.

Question 2

How many participants should be on a team?

Accepted Answer

There is no exact number of expected participants on a team.  However, please keep in mind that submissions will be judged on the likelihood that a Participant, be it an individual or team, can carry out the development of the proposed technology.

Question 3

I am an employee at a University/Institute/Company, who do I designate as the recipient of the prize, myself or the University/Institute/Company?

Accepted Answer

As a participant, you can designate yourself or your employer as the recipient.  However, please keep in mind that the recipient of the prize must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and in the case of an individual, whether participating singly or in a group, shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

Question 4

Can I submit a technology that is already under development?

Accepted Answer

No, you cannot submit RNA-targeting technology that is already under development.  This Challenge functions to promote the development of NEW RNA-targeting technology, not support RNA-targeting technology already in process.

Question 5

Does a submission to this Challenge count towards the NIH six application per year limit?

Accepted Answer

No, submissions to this Challenge do not count towards the NIH six application per year limit, as described in NOT-OD-25-132: Supporting Fairness and Originality in NIH Research Applications.

Question 6

If the solution (or part of the solution) is being developed under a federal grant, should I apply through the institution and not submit as an individual?

Accepted Answer

That is correct. If the federal funds are awarded to the institution, the most common situation, a submission that uses those funds must be submitted on behalf of the institution.

From the rules on the challenge announcement: “Federal grantees and recipients of cooperative agreements or other transaction (OT) awards are eligible to participate in the Challenge but may not use Federal funds from a grant award, cooperative agreement, or OT award to develop their Challenge submission or to fund efforts in support of their Challenge submission unless use of such funds is consistent with the purpose, terms, and conditions of the grant award, cooperative agreement, or OT award. Each Participant (whether participating as a Team or Entity) intending to use Federal grant, cooperative agreement, or OT award funds must register for and participate in the Challenge as an entity on behalf of the awardee institution, organization, or entity. If a winning Participant uses Federal grant, cooperative agreement, or OT award funds to participate in the Challenge, the prize must be treated as program income for purposes of the original grant, cooperative agreement, or OT award in accordance with applicable Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards [2 CFR § 200]. Participants using Federal grant, cooperative agreement, or OT award funds to participate and/or report prize funding as program income (for winning Participants) should coordinate with the awarding official at the federal awarding agency.”

Question 7

Do we need to submit a budget for this challenge?

Accepted Answer

A budget is not required to be submitted for this challenge.

Question 8

If I am submitting as an Entity, and the Entity is a university/institute, who is the correct point of contact for the Challenge submission?

Accepted Answer

If you are a university/institute and submitting as an Entity, the point of contact must be an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for that university/institute.

Question 9

Can you apply to Phase I if you have a working prototype or should you wait to apply to Phase II?

Accepted Answer

Phase I is for ideation, if you have a technology that is already in the process of being developed or validated, it is not considered appropriate for Phase I.  In this situation, this technology is more appropriate for Phase II and should be submitted at this stage.  This type of situation is an example for why Phase II will be open not just to Phase I winners, but also the general public.

Question 10

Does Phase I need preliminary data?

Accepted Answer

Preliminary data are not required - however, the submitter should include preliminary data if they are needed to justify aspects of the solution.

Question 11

Are tables considered figures?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 12

Are applications reviewed as they come in or after the deadline?

Accepted Answer

Applications are reviewed after the deadline (July 15th, 11:59pm).

Question 13

For an lncRNA-based technology, do we need actual sequences and predicted structures, or is a mechanistic explanation enough?

Accepted Answer

Please provide enough information for your reviewer to understand the submission.

Question 14

Are there specific formatting requirements (font, size)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It should consist of a single PDF file with page size set to 8.5” x 11” and at least 1-inch margins. Use a font no smaller than 11-point Arial and line spacing no less than 1.0. Include page numbers. Be written in English.

Question 15

Should the expertise, environment, and resources section include a funding plan?

Accepted Answer

No funding plan is required.

Question 16

Should Phase 1 be a conceptual framework or a detailed experimental plan with specific aims?

Accepted Answer

Phase 1 should be a conceptual and theoretical framework. Phase 2 expects more detailed experiments.

Frequently Asked Questions