We are quickly approaching the transition of grant processing and management activities from Grants Online to the Grants Enterprise Management Solution (GEMS). This is a kindly reminder to register your organization with eRA Commons if you haven't already done so. eRA Commons is the grants management system that external applicants and grant recipients will be using after the GEMS go-live.

We urge you to initiate the registration process immediately to ensure a smooth transition.  All applicants and recipients must complete the organization registration process before creating individual accounts.

To help you get acquainted with eRA Commons, we have provided a video overview which you can access by clicking HERE. Additionally, a step-by-step instructional video on the registration process is available HERE.

The following resource documents are attached:

• Introduction to eRA for Applicants/Recipients Presentation PDF
• Introduction to eRA – Information Sheet PDF
• eRA Commons Registration for Applicant/Recipients Presentation PDF
• eRA Commons Registration Business Process Guide PDF
• Introduction to eRA and Registration Questions and Answers PDF

Here are some important considerations:

1. All applicant and recipient organizations registering in eRA Commons should be aware that registration may take up to four weeks to complete.
2. For the UEI associated with the eRA Commons registration, organizations must maintain an active registration in SAM.gov.
3. If you plan to apply for the Sea Grant Program, where two opportunities are scheduled for publication in July 2023, your organization must be registered with eRA Commons, and a PD/PI account should be established before submitting your application.
4. Recipient organizations with active grants in Grants Online must register with eRA Commons before October 2023 to access and complete post-award activities.
5. Organizations intending to apply for grants in January 2024 or later must register with eRA Commons including establishing a PD/PI account before submitting an application.

Here are some frequently asked questions that you may find helpful:

1. If my organization has an account in eRA Commons due to grant applications with NIH grants, should we register again?
   Registering with eRA Commons is a one-time process. If your organization is already registered due to previous interactions with NIH grants, there is no need to register again.
    
2. Can anyone in a recipient organization register their organization in eRA Commons?
   No.  The registration process must be conducted by someone with signature authority within the organization, known as a Signing Official (SO). Once registered, a Signing Official account will be established, allowing them to create additional accounts for users within the organization.
    
3. What should recipient organizations do if they have current grants but aren't applying for new grants? 
   Even if your organization is not planning to apply for new grants at this time, it is essential to register with eRA Commons. Managing existing grants through Grants Online will no longer be possible after GEMS go-live. Please note that Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), except those processed in the Sea Grants Pilot, will continue to be posted via Grants Online until December 2023.
    

We greatly appreciate your engagement and collaboration in this matter. Should you have any questions regarding the registration process or any other aspect of the GEMS project, please don't hesitate to contact your grants POC or send your inquiries to [email protected]. We are committed to providing timely assistance and support.

Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to receiving your organization's registration with eRA Commons soon.