In short
eRA is the grants administration system of NIH, so NIH policies apply to it. NIH does not treat an application as the original ideas of applicants if AI substantially developed the application or any section of it. NIH peer reviewers may not use generative AI to analyze applications or write critiques.
Limits AI. Applicants may use AI for some tasks, and the funder restricts how much of an application AI may write.
For applicants
- An application that AI substantially developed, or that has sections AI substantially developed, is not considered the original ideas of applicants by NIH. [1]
For reviewers
- NIH prohibits its scientific peer reviewers from using natural language processors, large language models, or other generative AI technologies to analyze grant applications and R&D contract proposals or to write peer review critiques of them. [2]
Sources
NOT-OD-25-132: Supporting Fairness and Originality in ... (opens in a new tab)
NIH will not consider applications that are either substantially developed by AI, or contain sections substantially developed by AI, to be original ideas of applicants.
NOT-OD-23-149: The Use of Generative Artificial ... (opens in a new tab)
the NIH prohibits NIH scientific peer reviewers from using natural language processors, large language models, or other generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies for analyzing and formulating peer review critiques for grant applications and R&D contract proposals.
This page summarizes what the funder has published and is not legal advice. Policies change, and one solicitation can add its own rules. Confirm against the funding announcement before you apply.