eSubmission News and Updates
NIH eSubmission Items of Interest — Oct. 30, 2007
What’s that “Additions for Review” link all about?
Did you notice something new in the eRA Commons Status Information screen for an application/grant? With last week’s eRA software update, a new link was added under the “Other Relevant Documents” section called “Additions for Review”. A new eRA function was provided to NIH staff called eAdditions. eAdditions provides Scientific Review Administrators (SRAs) with a limited ability to add documents to the grant folder post-submission to make them accessible to reviewers and appropriate NIH staff. The policies regarding application addenda remain the same…the original application is kept intact and any addenda are approved at the discretion of the SRA and will be added by the SRA. The new link provides view only access. It is not possible for Principal Investigators and/or institutions to directly add materials to this section of the grant folder. This new feature simply cuts down on the need for mixed media grant files and helps NIH achieve a goal of complete electronic records.
So, if you see an “Additions for Review (0 documents)” link, don’t panic-it simply means there are no addenda associated with your application.
Nice try – but no submission!
Some creative applicants are trying to get around the eRA Commons registration requirements by “borrowing” a PI Commons ID from a colleague. This sleight of type may help you pass the system checks, but we have equally clever staff in Receipt and Referral that will catch you at the next check point (you know, the point where real people are looking at the application and making decisions). Using the Commons ID of a different individual will result in that individual being listed as the PD/PI for the grant application in the NIH data system and that individual will have access to the review outcome and summary statement. A PI’s Commons ID should be regarded as their NIH PIN number – it belongs to the Principal Investigator only!
By submitting an application you are certifying that the contents are true, complete and accurate. Please plan ahead and get the necessary accounts in place prior to submission.
Unique Applications Deserve Unique Names
Did you know that a “New” application must have a different title from any other application with the same PD/PI? We have had several cases reported to the help desk where PD/PIs have tried to reuse the title provided in the “Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project” field (field #11 of the SF424 (R&R) form). Before you call foul, they did significantly change the specific aims of the project. The eRA Commons system did just what it was supposed to do – it replaced the first application submitted with the second. Application titles must be unique…it says so in the Application Guide so it must be true!
Falling Back
We are aware that timestamps may be off by an hour this week due to the delay in moving to Daylight Savings Time. We are making any necessary adjustment on our side, so don’t worry about it.
Have a safe and fun Halloween!
Sheri
Cummins
Communications Coordinator
NIH Office of Extramural Research
Division of Communications & Outreach
Contractor, LTS
