Forms Data Entry

The forms of an application can be edited when the status of the application (or of a multi-project component) is Work in Progress. This topic lists the basic steps for navigating and enabling forms for editing. Before starting to enter data on a form, be prepared to enter data marked with an asterisk (*) as these data elements are required to save the form.

For field-level instructions on each question, see the application form instructions in HTML or PDF format at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html.

To edit application forms:

  1. Select the Return to Application button on the Actions panel to return to the Application Information page.
  2. If you are working on a single-project application, refer to Step 3. For multi-project applications: 

    1. ClosedFrom the Application Information screen expand and select the appropriate component from the Component Type section. After being selected, the component will display on the Component Information screen.

      The left navigation panel is shown, with Component Type section

  3. ClosedSelect the tab for the appropriate form.

    The image shows samples of the tabs existing for each form of a component

  4. Select the Edit button at the top of the form to open the fields for editing. Selecting this button reserves the form, enables it for editing, and prevents others from editing it simultaneously.
  5. For forms with grouped sections, all editable data fields are expanded by default, as shown by the selected Expand All check box. Unselect the check box to collapse the fields on the form.

    6. NOTE: Individual fields can be expanded (when applicable) by selecting the down arrow on the right side of the field and collapsed by selecting the up arrow.

  6. Complete the forms as necessary, paying attention to the validation warnings. These validations exist to ensure that the proper and required information is entered correctly. Refer to the help topic titled Form and Field Level Validations for more information.

    For assistance with the information required on this form, please refer to the appropriate Application Guide.

    https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html

  7. Select one of the save options at the bottom of the form to save the data:
    1. To save the information and keep the form open for further editing, select the Save and Keep Lock button.
    2. To save the information and close the form, select the Save and Release Lock button.
    3. For multi-page forms only: To save the data on the current page of the form and to display a new page for entry, select the Save and Add button. The Save and Add button is not available on all forms.

    8. NOTE: Selecting the Cancel and Release Lock button - followed by the Continue button on the confirmation - returns the form to read-only and does not save any of the entered information onto the form.

  8. Navigate to and complete the other forms by selecting the corresponding tabs and following the same steps.
  9. When unsaved data exists: When navigating from tab to tab without saving the data, a warning message displays as follows:

    10. Exiting without saving will result in losing the data entered. Do you wish to save before exiting?

    1. Select the Go Back button to return to the unsaved form.
    2. Select the button for a save option at the bottom of the form.
    3. Navigate to the next form again.
    1. Select the Go Back button to return to the unsaved form.
    2. Select the button for a save option at the bottom of the form.
    3. Navigate to the next form again.

    -OR-

    1. Select the Continue button to move to the selected form without saving the changes entered onto the current form.
    2. Complete the new form as appropriate.
    3. Repeat steps for navigating to other forms.
    1. Select the Continue button to move to the selected form without saving the changes entered onto the current form.
    2. Complete the new form as appropriate.
    3. Repeat steps for navigating to other forms.

For security reasons, ASSIST employs a session time-out feature which logs you out of ASSIST when the system determines that there has been no activity for a specific amount of time. Before doing so, ASSIST displays a warning message indicating the remaining amount of time until the automatic logout occurs. To prevent the automatic time-out, select the Continue Working button from the warning screen.