Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

LOGIN.GOV account will be required as of September 15, 2021 to access the eRA Commons, Internet Assisted Review (IAR) and ASSIST 

eRA is moving to two-factor authentication via login.gov for accessing its external modules, meaning that log-in will require something you know (password) and something you have (a phone or other device).  

Users of eRA Commons, Commons Mobile, ASSIST and Internet-Assisted Review must use login.gov credentials, instead of their eRA Commons account username and password, to access those modules starting on September 15, 2021. Once you are transitioned to the required use of login.gov to access external modules; the use of other login methods such as Commons credentials (username/password) 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. 

What do I need to do?  It’s a simple, one-time, three-step process to associate your eRA account with your login.gov account. Just go the eRA Commons home screen, click on LOGIN.GOV, and follow the on-screen prompts. There is a cheat sheet available as well. 

Additional Tips and Resources

• If you already have an eRA Commons account, make sure your Commons account is active and you know your password before you begin the process to associate your login.gov account with your Commons account.
• If you need to reset your eRA account password, please do this first by using the Forgot Password/Unlock Account? link on the main Commons home screen.
• Select the login.gov login option on the eRA Commons home screen to begin the process. Do not go straight to login.gov to create your account.

Biographical Sketch and Other Support Format Page Changes for Due Dates on or after May 25, 2021

Please note the summary of changes to the Biographical Sketch Format Page introduced for proposals submitted on or after May 25, 2021:

• Section B ‘Positions and Honors’ has been renamed ‘Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors’.
• For the non-Fellowship Biosketch, Section D. has been removed.
• For the Fellowship Biosketch, Section D has been updated to remove ‘Research Support.’
• As applicable, all applicants may include details on ongoing and completed research projects from the past three years that they want to draw attention to within the personal statement, Section A.

Detailed instructions and updated form can be found here. 

Other Support Format Page changes' summary:

• The format page has been re-organized to separate funded projects from in-kind contributions.
• Signature block added, for Program Director/Principal Investigator or Other Senior/Key Personnel to certify the accuracy of the information submitted. Each PD/PI or senior/key personnel must electronically sign their respective Other Support form as a PDF prior to submission.

Detailed instructions and updated form can be found here.

Use of the updated format pages will be required for applications and Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2021.

During the transition to the new Biosketch format, NIH will not withdraw applications that include the previous Biosketch format. Beginning with applications submitted on or after January 25, 2022, failure to follow the appropriate Biosketch format may cause NIH to withdraw your application from consideration.

Effective May 25, 2021, NIH requires the following also:

• Supporting documentation, which includes copies of contracts, grants or any other agreement specific to senior/key personnel foreign appointments and/or employment with a foreign institution for all foreign activities and resources that are reported in Other Support. If the contracts, grants or other agreements are not in English, recipients must provide translated copies.
• Immediate notification of undisclosed Other Support. When a recipient organization discovers that a PI or other Senior/Key personnel on an active NIH grant failed to disclose Other Support information outside of Just-in-Time or the RPPR, as applicable, the recipient must submit updated Other Support to the Grants Management Specialist named in the Notice of Award as soon as it becomes known.