Potential Extramural Projects Overview and Timeline

The announcement of the 2009 Potential Extramural Projects (PEPs) is one method used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to solicit proposals in topic areas that are of interest to their Centers, Institutes and Offices (CIOs) from Association members. Every year, the CDC identifies extramural funding opportunities and shares them with the Associations to distribute to their members. While these opportunities do not have committed funding, CIOs have a genuine interest in pursuing these activities. Researchers interested in pursuing the current listing of PEPs are encouraged to have a clear understanding of the intent of the project before responding with Letters of Intent (LOI). When submitting a LOI it is important to view the listing of current FAQs, as well as the PEP specific questions.

In 2004 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), began phasing in peer review evaluation of Extramural research, in compliance with Department of Health and Human Services recommendations based on the White House Memorandum (OSTP & OMB) May 6, 1994.

This document states: "Each Federal R&D Agency is expected to significantly enhance the utilization of merit review with peer evaluation and competitive selection in Federal R&D Projects. Research not subject to merit review with peer evaluation is expected to decline and funding in these areas should be moved into areas of merit reviewed research with peer evaluations."

Be sure to read the application review criteria for research, nonresearch, and investigator initiated proposals before preparing your grant application.

Application Cycle Timeline

Date	Funding Cycle Event
December 17, 2008	2009 application cycle begins
January 16, 2009	Letters of Intent are due to AAMC, ASPH and APTR.
March 15, 2009	Last day for PEP questions.
March 16, 2009	An original and six collated copies of the grant application, application coversheet and any appendices are due to AAMC, ASPH and APTR.
September 2009	Funding decision for the 2009 funding cycle will be announced.
September 30, 2009	FY 2010 funding begins.