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Inside eRA for Partners, a news update from
the NIH Office of Electronic Research and Reports Management
(OERRM), provides its partners in the grantee community with pertinent
information about the plans and progress of the NIH Electronic Research
Administration (eRA). Through developing enterprise杔evel services
for researchers and science managers, and through the support of
critical information services, OERRM provides the grants programs
of the NIH and the Department with technologies that reduce the
costs of grants administration, capture and analyze grant data,
and synthesize research information into knowledge that guides our
research portfolio towards improving the Nation抯 health.
If you have technical questions about NIH eRA Commons software, email
the Helpdesk or call 301-402-7469
(toll-free 866-504-9552). Address other questions or concerns to members
of the NIH Commons Working
Group, who serve as liaisons to the grantee community.
eRA Announces Partnership Funding Opportunities
eRA announces an initiative to develop partnerships between the NIH and the private sector for development of applications and services that will assist the research community with electronic grant submission. Sponsored by the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), this effort invites applications by April 17, 2002, from for-profit organizations that are eligible for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) research and development grants. A public briefing scheduled for 10 a.m., March 4, at 6700B Rockledge Drive, Room 1202, Bethesda, Maryland, will be available as a webcast. The Request for Application (RFA RR-02-004), including additional information on the public briefing, is available online in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts.
Commons Project Manager for Application Development Appointed
Jerry Stuck assumed the role of Project Manager for Application Development for the NIH Commons in Fall 2001. Jerry is on detail from the National Science Foundation (NSF) where he spearheaded the development of FastLane, the NSF system for electronic receipt of grant applications. He also works closely with the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) to coordinate the interaction between various federal agencies and participating FDP institutions, with particular emphasis on electronic grants administration issues. In his role as Commons Project Manager for Application Development, Jerry coordinates all activities related to the design, development, and implementation of the NIH Commons portion (grantee interface) of the NIH electronic Research Administration (eRA) system. He also is responsible for coordinating all NIH activities related to the interagency Federal Commons implementation. Jerry will continue to provide liaison support to the FDP on eRA-related initiatives and pilot projects of common interest to NIH and the FDP members. You can reach Jerry at 301-435-0690 x615 or by email at stuckj@od.nih.gov.
Invention Utilization Reporting Changes Now in Effect
Invention reporting requirements for NIH grantees and contractors changed effective January 1, 2002. The most substantive modification requires grantees to provide the commercial name of any FDA-approved product that uses their invention and has reached the market during the annual reporting period. Based on an analysis performed by the Interagency Edison Working Group (IEWG) and on interactions with congressional representatives, the revisions reflect developments in intellectual property administration. Grantees can report invention utilization to the NIH using paper correspondence or online using the Interagency Edison (iEdison) system. The NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts includes information on the reporting procedure and a summary of revised utilization questions.
USAF Electronic Systems Center Adopts iEdison
The United States Air Force (USAF) Electronic Systems Center (ESC) adopted the Web-based Interagency Edison (iEdison) invention reporting and tracking system in December 2001. The ESC engages primarily in applied research and also underwrites the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). ESC projects include research and development of command and control systems that support aerospace defense. Developed in 1995 by the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER), iEdison enables grantees, contractors, and participating federal agencies to electronically manage extramural invention portfolios [see the October 10, 2001 issue]. iEdison streamlines the invention reporting process and assists grantees and contractors in complying with the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 (P.L. 96�7), which encourages the commercialization of new technologies for the public benefit. For additional information about iEdison, contact Dr. George Stone at 301-435-0679 or by email at george.stone@nih.gov.
Commons Working Group Focuses on the Competitive Application
Chaired by Dr. George Stone, Advocate for the eRA Interface to the Extramural Community, the Commons Working Group (CWG) met in Washington, D.C., on November 14�, 2001, and in Austin, Texas, on January 6, 2002. At the November meeting, George provided a progress report on NIH Commons Version 2.0 development and noted that the Streamlined Noncompeting Award Process (SNAP) Business Process Reengineering (BPR) was completed ahead of schedule. He explained the Rational Unified Process (RUP)�/SUP> software engineering process adopted by the Commons and provided 搖se� cases for members� review and comment. George also unveiled plans for the new Commons project website, which incorporates members� graphical user interface (GUI) recommendations and usability input from a Human Factors Analyst. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the potential reengineering of the competitive application by streamlining data requirements and the business process. The reengineering discussion continued in January, as representatives from 14 grantee institutions worked with NIH staff on methods of modifying the paper process to maximize the benefits of electronic submission. In compliance with federal legislation, NIH is preparing to receive electronic competitive applications in FY2003. Dr. Wendy Baldwin, Deputy Director for Extramural Research, NIH, and Regina White, Director, NIH Office of Policy for Extramural Research, provided valuable input on relevant policy issues. The CWG抯 BPR and data streamlining recommendations will be vetted through the appropriate NIH committees for final approval. The CWG agenda included a discussion of user requirements for the new IMPAC II Financial Status Report (FSR) system. Survey instruments will be used to collect CWG recommendations for data submission, access, and reporting capabilities. George is soliciting additional feedback on Version 2.0 GUI standards, which will be finalized in late February. The next CWG meeting will be held in conjunction with the May Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) conference in Washington, D.C. CWG meetings are open to all interested persons. For information, contact George Stone at (301) 435-0679 or by email at george.stone@nih.gov.
2002 Brings Changes to IAEGC and Federal Commons
The Inter-Agency Electronic Grants Committee (IAEGC), now sponsored by the Federal Chief Financial Officers Council (CFOC), has a new website. The IAEGC comprises 23 federal grant-making agencies that are working cooperatively to develop the Federal Commons, a one-stop gateway for all electronic grants processing. NIH participates in the IAEGC and is represented in the IAEGC steering group. The IAEGC will meet next on February 12 in Washington, D.C. For information on the meeting location, consult IAEGC抯 online calendar. The Federal Commons initiative now is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). In November 2001, Diane Thompson of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) began a one-year detail as the Federal Commons Project Director.
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