Portal Technical Support FAQ's

You can access the portal on the main AI/AN CTRP landing page by clicking the Electronic Portal Tab or by Clicking the portal linke below:

AI/AN CTRP Portal Link

Try a different search engine. Firefox and Chrome seem to work the best while uploading large amounts of files.

The best way to ensure that you are able to load all of your files, is to load a few at a time. Many servers have limits on the amounts of data that can be part of a single submit.

The upload document section will closely match the RFP outline of required documents; therefore, you should upload documents in order. If you click on the Edit link about the files, the form will provide additional information about what should be included in each document.

you can choose to upload Word or PDF, but the final combined document at the end of the upload section must be a PDF version.

Your files should ideally be named "LastName-Project-Document.pdf."

You will need to email your updated, final documents to [email protected] and the Pilot Project Core will confirm they received the documents.

using Adobe Acrobat, you will be able to upload and combine multiple files and arrange the correct order. Your OSP is a great local resource for helping you with all of the documents related to your submission.

Both pages, 2 and 3 should be filled out and submitted. They are downloadable as one whole document and must be completed and uploaded as a whole document. 

Budget FAQ's

The AI/AN CTRP does not stipulate a minimum or maximum effort levels for project leaders. Effort levels should be guided by the roles and activities outlined in the budget justification. Effort may be a combination of In-Kind support ( e.g., institution-supported effort allocated to support the project leaders research) Or CTRP-supported effort (i.e, effort that is paid from the CTRP award)

Yes. You may include funds to supports your mentor for activities such as reviewing manuscripts and grants, up to $4,000, in addition to travel to the annual meeting. Generally, mentors are compensated about $500-$600 per day. If possible we suggest paying mentors as a fee-for-service contract ( or as a consultant) to avoid setting up a contractual agreement between MSU and your mentor and the Professional development core.

Yes. Mentors who receive IDeA support for their own research may serve as paid mentors on other IDeA-funded projects.

No. All awardees are welcome to attend the CTRP annual meeting. But we recognize that travel to another state to attend the annual conference may not be possible within the budget constraints of the Community and Small Grants.

Yes. To request a re-budget, please contact the PI at Montana State University

Graduate student and postdoctoral stipends are not allowable costs, but payment in the amount of salaries and benefits per hour is allowable. More detailed budget assistance is available, please contact our Fiscal Manager Jen Hodges for more information.

The PI must have a terminal degree ( e.g. PhD, MD, PharmD) AND a title that allows them to submit grants as a PI ( e.g., Associate Professor, Research Scientists). The PI cannot be a student or post-doc. All applicants with a modified title will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by Jen Hodges ( Fiscal Manager). Jen will need to review the PIs NIH CV.

The institution needs a DUNS number. It may also be necessary for the institution to have established and particular accounting procedures. If the institution is not typical, it should be evaluated for eligibility by Jen Hodges, Fiscal Manager.