“Can I place hyperlinks in my application’s Research Strategy section to provide context?”

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No. There are rare exceptions in which a specific notice of funding opportunity will state directly that the use of hyperlinks is permissible, e.g., to identify a digital resource, but absent that permission you must not include hyperlinks.

In a September 16, 2020 Guide notice, NIH identified four main concerns around the use of hyperlinks in applications: reviewer confidentiality, overstuffing, reviewer consistency, and malware. If certain information is necessary to ensure fair and informed review of a project proposal, then that information needs to appear in the application itself. 

NIH may withdraw from review and funding consideration any applications that include unallowable hyperlinks.

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