Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

• Updated Biographical Sketch and Other Support Format Page

NIH applicants and recipients should start using the updated biosketch and other support format for applications, Just-in-Time (JIT) Reports, and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) as of May 25, 2021. NIH will require the use of the updated format pages for the previously mentioned submissions for anything on and after January 25, 2022. Failure to follow the appropriate formats on or after January 25, 2022 may cause NIH to withdraw applications from or delay consideration of funding. Please note, applicants and recipients remain responsible for disclosing all research endeavors regardless of the version of the forms used. Therefore, if applicants and recipients choose not to use the updated format pages before they are required, applicants and reecipients must still capture all the necessary information.

Updated forms can be found here: Biosketch and Other Support. 

• eRA Commons ID required for All Senior/Key Personnel

Targeting due dates on or after January 25, 2022, NIH, AHRQ, FDA, and ORD/VA will require all individuals listed on the R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Form to have an eRA Commons username (Commons ID). An eRA Commons ID must be entered in the “Credential, e.g. agency login” field for all Senior/Key Personnel (as defined in NIH GPS 1.2) listed on the R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Form.  An eRA system validation will be implemented to check for a valid eRA Commons ID. For multi-project applications, this requirement also applies to the individual components of the application and not to just the Overall component. Individuals needing scientific roles (Program Directors, Principal Investigators, Scientist, Post-Doc, Graduate Students, Undergraduate Students, Project Personnel) should only have one eRA Commons ID for the life of their research career. Always check for an existing eRA Commons account prior to creating a new one. If a person already has an eRA Commons scientific account and is changing institutions, a Signing Official (SO) or an Account Administrator (AA) role at the new institution can affiliate that account with the new institution.

If you need eRA Commons ID, please contact ors@sfu.ca. 

• Required use of FORMS-F application forms for application submission

In order to provide flexibility to applicants during the COVID-19 Pandemic, NIH had extended some late submission windows and allowed FORMS-E application forms to be used for those late submissions. This flexibility has now expired. All grant applications must be submitted using FORMS-F application forms (NOT-OD-20-026, NOT-OD-20-077). Any remaining FORMS-E application form packages will be closed as of April 19, 2021. 

Forms-F and application instructions can be found here. 

• Revised NIH Grants Policy Statement

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces publication of the revised NIH Grants Policy Statement (NIHGPS, rev. April 2021).This revision is applicable to all NIH grants and cooperative agreements with budget periods beginning on or after October 1, 2020. This revision incorporates new and modified requirements, clarifies certain policies, and implements changes in statutes, regulations, and policies that have been implemented through appropriate legal and/or policy processes since the previous version of the NIHGPS dated December 2019. 

Updated policy statement can be found here. 

• Reminders of NIH Policies Related to Closeout

Recipients may request payments from PMS up to 120 days past the period of performance end date, to liquidate obligations incurred during the period of performance. Per the NIH Grants Policy Statement (NIHGPS), a term and condition of every NIH award, recipients must submit timely, accurate final grant expenditure reports, and reconcile cash transaction reports submitted to the PMS with expenditure reports submitted to NIH.