Proposal Development and Submission
Grants.gov
Grants.gov Basic Necessities – a quick reference to get you started
Delivering final, ready to submit Grants.gov files to URA via the URA Mail Box
Click on the URA Mail Box to deliver your grant to URA.
- Instructions
- Before delivering a proposal to URA, make sure it has the proper filename. This should include the PI’s surname, the agency, and the TRACS ID as follows:
Zimmer_NSF_12345.pdf
Key Grants.gov Points
- URA submits all G.g applications. Only URA staff has accounts in the Grants.gov system. Local Administrators and PIs do not need accounts.
- It is imperative to submit early. We have experienced significant delays in submissions through Grants.gov. Final ready-to-submit electronic applications received after URA’s electronic submission deadline will be placed at the end of the submission queue at URA with no guarantee that they will be submitted prior to the deadline, or if submitted that they will pass through the Grants.gov and agency (e.g. NIH) validation process error-free.
- The University of Chicago’s Data Universal Number System (DUNS) Number is 005421136. The University is in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). Do not reregister the institution.
- URA will strictly adhere to the NIH policy on resubmissions. NIH is very explicit that the 2-day "Error Correction Window" following a successful submission is not to be used to add to or correct an application, only to address transmission errors. They have advised us that any corrections or additions to an application after it has been submitted are to be taken up with the Scientific Review Administrator (SRA) after it has been assigned to a study section. Revising an application inappropriately during the 2-day window may be grounds for NIH to return the application without review.
- URA will review applications in hard copy format. A fully completed and endorsed PTF must accompany any application that is to be submitted via Grants.gov. For applications that allow multiple PD/PIs, write “PD/PI” after the investigators name on the effort page of the PTF form.
- For applications in response to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), indicate ARRA or Stimulus on the top of the PTF.
- After URA reviewer comments are addressed, administrators deliver the final “ready to submit” application package via the URA Mailbox and email the URA Grants and Contracts Administrator and URA Grants and Contracts Manager when the file is uploaded. (See instructions above.)
Basic Application Guidance
- For help with all electronic submission systems email ERA-HELP@lists.uchicago.edu
- Grants.gov in 5 Steps
- Sample SF 424 R&R (PDF)
- General Grants.gov Electronic Submission Tips (PDF) (recommended for non-NIH)
- On campus resource - ARRA Research Funding Website
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH has announced significant changes in the application process. Please click here to read about all the changes.
Agency Specific Application Guidance
- NIH Grants.gov Application Guide
- Sample NIH Application Package (PDF)– This is your best guide to help you prepare your application.
- Prevent NIH eSubmission Errors (PDF)
- Tips for PIs (PDF)
- Tips for Administrators (PDF)
- NIH's Planned Transition to Grants.gov (PDF)
- NIH K Award Transition to Grants.gov Instructions (PDF)
- Parent Packages for investigator-initiated (unsolicited) applications
- R01 Preparation Slides (PDF)
- Parent Package Page (R01) (PDF)
- R01 Checklist (PDF)
- August R03/R21 Presentation (PDF)
- R03 Parent Package Page (PDF)
- R21 Parent Package Page (PDF)
- F30 Parent Package Page (PDF)
- F31 Parent Package Page (PDF)
- F32 Parent Package Page (PDF)
- NIH ARRA Opportunities
- eRA Commons User Names
- Credential field on Grants.gov applications-- required by NIH
- PD/PI must be registered in the eRA Commons prior to submission.
- Transfer PIs that have accounts established at prior institutions must have their account affiliated with the UofC prior to submission. Email their eRA Commons user name, email address from their prior institution, and new email address to ERA-HELP@lists.uchicago.edu
- Retrieve user names-- An 'AO' account role in the system (UC Administrators) allows you to search for the usernames through Admin/Accounts/Maintain Account. The best way to search is to leave "Role" unselected and select "Account Status" as "All." If someone does not show at all, then they may not be in the system or they may currently still be linked to their prior institution (if applicable).
- To request an account-- Please send their formal name, primary email address and what role they should be assigned (AO, ASST, PI-- most will have the PI role even if they are Post-docs, researchers, etc.) to ERA-HELP@lists.uchicago.edu
- It is highly recommended that PIs periodically update their Commons information (Personal Profile). If information provided in application does not match what is recorded in the PD/PI Personal Profile in eRA Commons (position/title, PI name, department, etc.), the information provided in the application will be displayed, trumping what is entered in eRA Commons for the application in question.
| Grant Mechanism | Preparation Resources |
|---|---|
| R01 | |
| R03 | |
| R21 | |
| F30 | |
| F31 | |
| F32 |
| Opportunity | RFA Link | Forms Link | RFA Summary | Checklist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIH Challenge Grants | RFA-OD-09-003 | Adobe PDF | OD-09-003 Summary | OD-09-003 Checklist |
| NIH Grand Opportunities "GO" | RFA-OD-09-004 | Adobe PDF | GO Summary | GO Checklist |
| NIH Administrative Supplements | NOT-OD-09-056 | N/A | NOT-OD-056 Summary | NOT-OD-056 Checklist |
| NIH Competitive Revisions | NOT-OD-09-058 | N/A | NOT-OD-058 Summary | NOT-OD-058 Checklist |
| NIH Student/Science Educ. Supplements | NOT-OD-09-060 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
