eRA Commons (https://public.era.nih.gov/commons/) is an online interface where grant applicants, recipients, and federal staff at NIH and grantor agencies can access and share administrative information relating to research grants (see eRA Commons overview).
This infographic provides a high-level overview of the steps taken by applicants/recipients in eRA Commons over the grants lifecycle. Links within the page will guide you to additional resources and information. Here are the steps to navigate the system.
REGISTER
TRACK APPLICATION
Administrator and PI check for errors or warnings on Commons Status screen (see steps for signing official (SO) and for principal investigator (PI)
If errors, AOR resubmits application through Grants.gov
No Commons errors? View assembled application in eRA Commons
Application moves on to agency staff for consideration
Applicants should check Status Info screen for communications from Division of Receipt and Referral
SUBMIT JUST IN TIME
SUBMIT PROGRESS REPORTS
Signing Official (SO)* submits
Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) annually, to document recipient acccomplishments and compliance with terms of award
(SO)* submits Interim RPPR if the SO has submitted a competing renewal application on or before the date a Final RPPR is due**
CREATE ACCOUNTS
Account administrator creates or affiliates Commons account for Program Director / Principal Investigator (PD/PI)
PD/PI updates Personal Profile in Commons
Representative (AOR) submits
application using ASSIST,
Workspace, or institutional
system
CHECK SCORES
VIEW NOTICE OF AWARD
CLOSEOUT GRANT
SO verifies and submits Final Invention Statement, whether or not the grant has resulted in an invention
SO or delegate with Financial Status Report(FSR) role submits final Federal Financial Report (FFR)
** If application is funded, Interim RPPR accepted as the Annual RPPR
If application is not funded, Interim RPPR is accepted as the Final RPPR