Sharing latest updates from NIH in case you don’t received this type of mailing. Please read at your convenience!
eRA Enhancements: Highlights of eRA Commons’ Upcoming Release & Scheduled Downtime for Thursday, October 16
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Scheduled Downtime for July Release:
eRA Commons and ASSIST will be unavailable beginning at 9 p.m. ET Thursday, October 16, and will return to service by 7 a.m.
ET Friday, October 17, 2014. When the system is available again, you will see new features and functionality have been added to the system.
The following are highlights of eRA Commons’ upcoming
October 16-17 software release.
These are just some of the many features being rolled out for this release; check out the
release notes for more information on
features and fixes.
Highlights of eRA Commons’ October
Software Release
Updates in eSubmission
NIH has made several changes to enhance the usability of the Application Submission System & Interface for Submission Tracking
(ASSIST) solution:
·
ASSIST
o
The Initiate process for Multiproject applications through ASSIST has been improved by combining the initiation process with the automatic creation
of the Overall component. Since the Overall component is required for all multiproject applications, this eliminates a basic step in the process.
o
Overall Component and Subcomponent names support up to 200 characters. Initially only the Overall component supported 200 characters. That functionality
has been expanded to subcomponents as well.
o
Included explanatory text to the Total Direct Costs Less Consortium F&A Table in the application image.
Updates in eRA Commons
NIH has added several new features to eRA Commons:
·
Inclusion Management System (IMS)
o
eRA will unveil a new system to report inclusion of women and minorities in clinical research and for NIH staff to monitor inclusion data. See Guide
Notice NOT-OD-15-005
for more information. Grantees will provide inclusion enrollment data with competing submissions and will be able to access the new Inclusion Management System (IMS) through eRA Commons to create new inclusion records or view/edit/update existing inclusion
data records. Inclusion data submitted through competing applications, eRA Commons, or the RPPR (Research Performance Progress Report) will automatically populate IMS.
o
See the Inclusion Management System (IMS) Online Help, the IMS Guide or click on the question mark on the IMS screens for more information, following the release.
Also check out the inclusion Policy Implementation Page.
·
New Closeout Procedures & Policies
o
HHS guidance on closeout of grant awards has prompted changes to improve communications, efficiency and policy compliance throughout the closeout
process.
§
New Features for Grantees
·
The ability to identify grants that will be closing soon. A new ‘quick query’ on the eRA Commons home screen will allow grantees to view grants approaching
the project end date. This feature will not require Commons login.
·
The ability for grantees to submit any additional information sought by NIH through a feature called “Final Report Additional Material” (FRAM). Mirroring
the functionality of Progress Report Additional Materials (PRAM) requests, grantees can upload FRAM data multiple times for multiple FRAM requests, but one upload per request.
·
Expanded notification to grantees throughout the closeout process. Previously, one notice was sent to the grantee after the project end date, reminding
them of the reporting requirement, followed by a second notice identifying any overdue final reports. These messages have been revised to emphasize the criticality of completing the closeout process; and a third notice will be added to address any remaining
overdue or unacceptable report submissions.
o
eRA will pilot the use of organizational credentials for Commons login. The pilot will be limited to those organizations currently registered with the
Center for Information Technology (CIT) and individuals with limited Commons roles. This pilot will allow an eRA Commons user to map his or her current eRA Commons account to the organizational login and then access eRA Commons with his or her organizational
user name and password.
PostDoc |
Scientist |
Trainee |
Graduate Student |
Project Personnel |
Under-Graduate |
o
Graduate and undergraduate students working on grants will need to have Commons IDs starting Oct. 1, to be included in the progress reports. The
Research Performance Progress Report will receive an error and will not be accepted without this information (See
NOT-OD-13-097)
o
Use of the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) is required for all type 5 non-SNAP progress reports submitted on or after October 17, 2014
(See NOT-OD-14-092)
NOTE:
The ability to submit help tickets online will not be available during the downtime listed above. However, customers can always email the eRA Help Desk at that time;
[log in to unmask]
(for eRA Commons support).
eRA Communications
Division of Communications and Outreach
NIH Office of Extramural Research
Questions?
Please contact the eRA Help Desk. Check out self-help resources on the
Help page
before submitting an online ticket; or call Toll-free: 1-866-504-9552, Phone: 301-402-7469.
The Help Desk hours are Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET
Help us improve our communications; send your suggestions and feedback to
[log in to unmask]
or call 301-435-8185.
To read other recent articles and messages, please visit our Latest News page at
http://era.nih.gov/news_and_events/index.cfm.
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