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Two-Factor Authentication: Access eRA Modules via login.gov

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Log-in Options for eRA Modules

Initial Set-up at login.gov

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eRA is moving to two-factor authentication via login.gov, meaning that log-in will require something you know (password) and something you have (a phone or other device). This new log-in method will be required in 2021 for users of eRA Commons, Commons Mobile, IAR and ASSIST.

The move is part of HHS’s Reinvent Grants Management Initiative to provide the applicant and grantee community the ability to log in to four different grants systems (eRA, Grants.gov, GrantSolutions and Payment Management System) using the same username and password via login.gov.

Timeline

eRA is first phasing in the requirement for reviewers using IAR. Starting December 14, 2020, the new requirement will be phased in for reviewers, meeting by meeting, effective for review meetings February 1, 2021 and beyond. As reviewers are enabled for meetings, their accounts will be transitioned to require login.gov to access IAR.

All users of eRA Commons, ASSIST, IAR and Commons Mobile are encouraged to switch to 2FA through login.gov now, before the mandatory deadline of September 15, 2021.  

If you have multiple eRA Commons accounts

Note: Once you start using login.gov to access eRA Commons or ASSIST; the use of other login methods such as Commons credentials (username/password) or InCommon federated credentials (use of an organization’s credentials) is not permitted. This requirement to use login.gov also applies to any activities you may subsequently do in eRA Commons as a principal investigator, reviewer, etc.  For those who utilize InCommon federated credentials, NIH is working with the InCommon Federation community to determine if and when that service could implement the necessary two-factor authentication processes to allow that login method to continue in the future.

Log-in Options for eRA’s Modules

Module

Two-factor authentication via Login.gov

eRA credentials

PIV/CAC card*

Federated**

eRA Commons

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Commons Mobile

Yes

Yes

    

IAR (via eRA Commons)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

ASSIST

Yes

Yes

  

 

*Federal staff only

**When organizations authenticate their own users.  Only available to users who have not yet transitioned to the required use of login.gov.   See note above about future support of InCommon Federation support of 2FA.

Initial Setup at login.gov

Here are the steps for the initial setup at login.gov. Before completing the following steps, make sure your eRA account is active and you know your account password.  If you need to reset your eRA account password, please do so by using the Forgot Password/Unlock Account? link on the main Commons homepage.

Note: We have used eRA Commons as an example below.

A screenshot of a cell phone Description automatically generated

 

STEP 1 — Click on the login.gov option on eRA Commons

  1. When you click on the login.gov option on the eRA Commons home screen, you will be redirected to https://login.gov/

Note: If you already have a login.gov username and password, enter it. You will go directly to Step 3 below.

STEP 2 — Create a login.gov account

  1. Enter email address at login,gov
  2. Receive email verification
  3. Verify email address
  4. Create password
  5. Choose a primary authentication method – for instance, select phone
    1. Enter phone number
    2. Enter security code received by text message
    3. Set up is confirmed
  6. Set up a secondary authentication method – for instance, an authenticator app
    1. Scan barcode and enter authenticator code
    2. Set up is confirmed
  7. Your account creation at login.gov is confirmed. Click Continue to return to eRA Commons.

 STEP 3 — Associate your login.gov account with your eRA Commons account (one-time only)

  1. The eRA Commons mapping page is displayed. Enter your eRA credentials – username and password – to associate your login.gov account with your eRA Commons account. You will only do this once.

YOU ARE DONE — You will be returned to eRA Commons. The next time you log into eRA Commons using login.gov, you will automatically be redirected to eRA Commons without having to log in again.

 

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