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This news update from the NIH Office of Research Information Systems (ORIS), provides the Department of Health
and Human Services (DHHS) and its partners with pertinent information about the plans and progress of the NIH
Electronic Research Administration (eRA). Through its eRA and information services, ORIS supports the Department's
research grants programs by using technology to reduce the costs of grants administration, to analyze and report on
grant data, and to synthesize grant information into knowledge for guiding the NIH research portfolio and improving
the Nation's health.
eRA Identifies Core FY2002 Initiatives
The eRA Steering Committee and Project Team have endorsed the following core FY2002 initiatives: - Data-quality improvement
- NIH Commons Version 2.0 development -- Electronic Non-Competing Award Process (e-SNAP) redesign and datastream submission of the Competitive Grant Application (CGAP)
- Development of Program, Budget, Grants Closeout, and Division of Extramural Activities (DEA) modules
- Stem cell tracking
- Expanded application scanning
- Integration of eRA/NBS financials with IMPAC II
- Single logon access for IMPAC II modules
Analysts and Advocates are generating business plans and developing cost estimates that will support financial tracking of all FY2002 initiatives.
Prototype Bug and Enhancement Tracking System Now Available
When you encounter a software bug, how do you know if the User Support Branch (USB) already knows about the problem? Would you like to find out when an enhancement or bug fix is scheduled for deployment? A prototype tracking system developed by the USB now enables you to search for bugs, Technical Action Requests (TARs), and enhancements by business area, bug/enhancement, or text. As the USB receives information from each business area, they are populating the system. During the next three to four months until the Helpdesk's new tracking system is available to all users, use this interim system to quickly locate incident and enhancement numbers, priorities, descriptions, and schedules. Contact the Helpdesk at 301-402-7469 or by email at helpdesk@od.nih.gov with questions.
Integrating OLTP Person Data into the IRDB
All Person data from the Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) database will be incorporated in the IMPAC II Reporting Database (IRDB) as part of the IRDB "redesign" project. Currently, the IRDB only includes Person Profile information. The addition of Person role-level information greatly expands the Person data available. Technically, the change will be transparent to most users. Existing user-defined ad hoc queries and reports will be affected only if IC-developed applications and operations use IRDB data sources other than base tables. The addition of the new objects will have no negative consequences on existing applications or operations. To support this effort, new Materialized Views (MVs) will be added to the IRDB on December 21. Materialized Views are Oracle objects that are used to create, maintain, and use summary tables. To facilitate the addition of all OLTP People data, public synonyms will be added to the IRDB database on December 21 to enable access to People data. To allow for the integration of all Person-related data from the OLTP database, specified tables, snapshots, views, and synonyms will be dropped (deleted) from the IRDB database on January 3, 2002. One synonym, "PERSON_INVOLVEMENTS_T", will be dropped from the IRDB on December 21. If the proposed deletions will adversely affect IC application or operations, contact the Helpdesk at 301-402-7469 or by email at helpdesk@od.nih.gov. A list of assumptions used to determine IRDB modifications is available online.
Commons Working Group Turns Its Attention to the Competitive Application
The Commons Working Group (CWG) met in Washington, D.C., on November 14 - 15 in conjunction with the 43rd Annual Convention of the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA). Chaired by Dr. George Stone, NIH Commons Advocate, a substantial portion of the meeting focused on the potential reengineering of the competitive application by streamlining data requirements and the business process. George provided a progress report on 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)TM software engineering process adopted by the Commons and provided "use" cases for members' review and comment. George also unveiled the new Commons project website, which incorporates members' graphical user interface (GUI) recommendations and usability input from a Human Factors Analyst (HuFA). The CWG will meet next on January 6, 2002, in Austin, Texas, in conjunction with the Federal Demonstration Project (FDP) meeting.
eRA Management Considers Supporting Scanning of Grant Files in 2002
Pending approval by the Extramural Program Management Committee (EPMC) and the eRA Project Team, eRA may support the scanning of all legacy grant applications and progress reports in 2002. At the suggestion of the eRA Steering Committee, the project is considering providing central electronic storage and securing a good rate on an NIH-wide scanning contract; ICs that choose to participate may use this vehicle to scan grant applications and progress reports. Access to the scanned documents would be available through the Grant Folder button found in many IMPAC II applications. A cost analysis is underway. For additional information, contact Dr. Steven J. Hausman, Scanning Advocate, at hausmans@od.niams.nih.gov.
eRA Considers Partnership Funding Opportunities
eRA is considering using a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) mechanism to stimulate partnerships between the NIH and the private sector for development of applications and services that will assist the research community with electronic grant submission. Although larger universities already have datastream capabilities, many smaller institutions do not have the information technology resources to support development of such capabilities. Partners would work cooperatively with the eRA Project and Development Team to produce systems that directly feed information from e-systems and maximize the benefits of the NIH and Federal Commons for grant applicants. TurboTax's relationship with the IRS is an example of such a Government-industry partnership. Sponsored by the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), this effort would invite applications from for-profits and non-profits that are eligible for SBIR research and development grants. The draft Request for Application (RFA) will be available online for review and comment in mid-December.
New eRA Systems Analysts Offer IC Perspective
Tracy Soto and Cathy Walker have joined the eRA team and bring extensive IC experience to their new roles as eRA systems analysts. Tracy began her career with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in 1990 and has worked in information technology since 1995. She is a certified Oracle8 database administrator (DBA) and served as NIMH's Oracle DBA. As NIMH's IMPAC II coordinator and technical representative, Tracy provided business area and technical support to IC users. She directed a software development team that successfully developed and deployed several applications, including the Grants Closeout system that will be integrated into IMPAC II. Tracy assumed multiple responsibilities with eRA on November 19. In addition to the Grants Closeout module, she will work on summary statement generation and distribution and on Internet-assisted review. Cathy started her government career in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) grants office in 1984 and accepted a position as a Grants Management specialist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in 1989. In 1998, she became a Grants Management analyst, focusing primarily on information technology including user support, project management, systems analysis, spreadsheet development, and IMPAC II reporting. Cathy will serve as the eRA Grants Management systems analyst and will assist in the NIH Commons build-out.
Stem Cell Tracking Capability to Debut in IMPAC II
Analysis is underway for development of functionality that will enable authorized IMPAC II users to record stem cell lines used for grant applications. Business rules will be enforced to ensure that Human Embryonic Stem Cell (HESC) data is reviewed, tracked, and reported throughout the grant life cycle. A two-phased development process is planned. Phase 1 will be deployed in mid-January 2002. A Receipt and Referral (R&R) enhancement will enable Center for Scientific Review (CSR) staff to record whether stem cells are used. Peer Review users in CSR and the ICs will verify this information. If stem cells are used, the IMPAC II Grant Update module of the Peer Review system will be used to record either the HESC codes used or the code for 'Undetermined.' After the Peer Review meeting is released, ICs may use the Grant Update module in the IC Operations (ICO) module to verify and update HESC codes. Phase 2, which will be deployed in March, includes enhancements to the Grants Management (GM) module. If an application is to be awarded, Grants Management staff will perform a final review of HESC data and change applications coded 'Undetermined' to a valid HESC code. They will be able to add or delete HESC codes based on the progress report and checklist completed by Program staff. Once the award is issued, indexing staff in the Division of Research Documents will use CRISP Plus to assign appropriate indexing terms to indicate stem cell use in research.
Committee Management JAD Begins in January
The first of 24 Joint Application Development (JAD) meetings for the redesign of the IMPAC II Committee Management (CM) application is scheduled for January 30, 2002. Participants will use their business area expertise to identify system requirements. The following JAD members have volunteered their time to ensure the success of this endeavor: CM Advocate Claire Benfer (OD), Krishna Collie (OD), John Czajkowski (CSR), Claudia Goad (NIAID), Lisa Rustin (NCI), Everett Sinnett (CSR), Anna Snouffer (OD), Carin Sprick (OD), LaVerne Stringfield (OD), Linda Thee (OD), Kay Valeda (NHLBI), and Kate Whelan (NIMH).
IMPAC II Software Release Schedule as of December 11, 2001
There will be no December deployment; the next deployment will be January 18. For information about upcoming releases, contact the Helpdesk at 301-402-7469 or by email at helpdesk@od.nih.gov.
IMPAC II Training Opportunities as of December 11, 2001
The Human Resource Development Division (HRDD) has scheduled the following IMPAC II courses. | Course Title | Number | Date | Time | Location | Tuition | | Committee Management for CMOs and CMAs | 5834 | 01/29/02 | 9 am - 4 pm | Executive Plaza South | $221 | | Committee Management for GTAs and Review Staff | 5833 | 02/26/02 | 9 am - 4 pm | Executive Plaza South | $221 | | Committee Management for SREA Staff | 5835 | 03/13/02 | 9 am - 12 pm | Executive Plaza South | $184 | | Grants Management (GM) | 5827 | 03/07/02 | 9 am - 4 pm | Executive Plaza South | $221 | | Peer Review | 5825 | 03/27/02 | 9 am - 4 pm | Executive Plaza South | $221 |
The following courses are also offered; however, there are no scheduled sessions at this time or scheduled classes are full. For more information or to request a class, visit the HRDD website or contact Mr. Ajoy Gadhok at 301-402-3384 or gadhoka@od.nih.gov. | Course Title | Number | Duration | Tuition | | CRISP Plus | 5829 | 1 day | $141 | | Institute Center Operations (ICO) | 5828 | ½ day | $184 | | Quick View | 5830 | ½ day | $141 |
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