NIH LAUNCHES ELECTRONIC GRANT SUBMISSION

Beginning with the small business grant programs on Dec. 1, 2005 and transitioning program by program through September 2007, NIH will require all competing grant applications to be submitted electronically through the federal on-line portal of Grants.gov using the SF424 (R&R), a new standard form set created by federal agencies involved in research and research-related grant funding. All NIH grant applications (new applications, revisions, continuations, renewals, AIDS and non-AIDS applications) will be affected by this transition. Once a grant program is transitioned, paper applications will no longer be accepted for that grant program.

This major change in the way NIH has traditionally conducted its grants business will have a significant impact on the applicant community. NIH has many resources available at its Electronic Submission of Grant Applications website to help grant applicants along the way. Applicant organizations are encouraged to:

• Review the transition timeline to determine when a research grant program of interest is switching to electronic submission.
• Complete the one-time registrations in both Grants.gov and eRA Commons at least two to four weeks before planning to submit an application.
• Familiarize yourself with the instructions for the new SF424 (R&R) in the application guide, especially the agency specific instructions.
• Avail yourself of the training resources including slide and videotape presentations, brochures and upcoming training sessions.

Prepare for electronic submission. Stay informed. Register now.