Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) Module and Training Webinar Available to NIH Grantees

Notice Number: NOT-OD-12-142

Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:

• January 10, 2013 - See Notice NOT-OD-13-017. eRA Commons Users Can Now Generate a Publications Report for the PHS 2590 with My NCBI.
• November 16, 2012 - See Notice NOT-OD-12-160. Upcoming Changes to Public Access Policy Reporting Requirements and Related NIH Efforts to Enhance Compliance.
• September 20, 2012 - Revised Pre- and Post-Award Forms and Instructions Available. See Notice NOT-OD-12-152.

Release Date: August 23, 2012

NOT-OD-12-083

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

NIH is pleased to announce that on October 19, 2012, all grantee institutions will have access to the NIH Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) for most Streamlined Non-competing Award Process (SNAP) and Fellowship awards. Training for all grantees on the use of the new NIH RPPR will be provided via webinar on October 17, 2012.

The Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) is an initiative to establish a uniform format for interim performance reporting on Federally-funded research and research-related activities, led by the Research Business Models Subcommittee, Committee on Science, National Science and Technology Council. The multi-year effort culminated in OMB s publication of the Research Performance Project Report (RPPR) Final Format in January 2010, and subsequent directive to agencies. The official RPPR website is hosted by NSF, at http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/rppr/index.jsp, and includes agency implementation plans as required by OMB.

The RPPR Final Format is the basis for NIH s implementation. It consists of 8 components: Cover Page; Accomplishments the sole mandatory reporting component; Products; Participants & Other Collaborating Organizations; Impact; Changes/Problems; Special Reporting Requirements for agency specific requirements; and Budgetary Information identical to the forms included in the SF 424 R&R. Agencies may elect to implement the optional categories, or questions therein, as needed.

In the spirit of easing the burden on grantees who will be completing RPPRs for other agencies, for those portions of the optional reporting components that NIH is implementing, NIH adopted the OMB Final Format language. In those situations where agency clarification is necessary, the HHS logo precedes the clarifying text (much as it is used in the SF 424 R&R Application Guide). Similarly, agency specific questions are labeled with the HHS logo.

After a successful pilot earlier this year, early access was provided to the Federal Demonstration Partnership institutions. In October 2012, NIH will provide all institutions with the option to use the RPPR when submitting a progress report for most SNAP and Individual Fellowship awards. This will provide grantees with the opportunity to train their investigators and administrative staff, and gain experience with the system before NIH mandates use of the RPPR.

The use of the RPPR is not required at this time and grantees may continue to use eSNAP or paper submissions as appropriate. A full list of activity codes for which grantees may submit RPPRs at this time can be found on the NIH RPPR webpage.

Please be aware that for a particular progress report, grantees should decide which progress report format they will use (RPPR or eSNAP) before starting the process in the eRA Commons. Once a progress report has been initiated as either an RPPR or an eSNAP, the only way to change the progress report format is with the assistance of the eRA Help Desk at Commons Support (1-866-504-9552 or commons@od.nih.gov). It may take eRA up to 2 business days to reset the progress report so the user can initiate a progress report in a different format. To minimize any issues and delays, institutions may wish to advise their investigators of this new alternative so they can decide in advance whether they wish to use the RRPR or eSNAP (or paper for Fellowships) for their progress report. SNAP RPPRs are due the 15th of the month preceding the month in which the budget period ends. Fellowship progress reports are due two months before the beginning date of the next budget period.

NIH expects to require use of the RPPR for most SNAP awards and Fellowships in the Spring of 2013, and to pilot the RPPR for non-SNAP awards during calendar year 2013. Details will be provided at a later date through separate Notices in the NIH Guide.

Training materials and other resources are posted on the NIH RPPR webpage.

On October 17, 2012, the NIH Office of Extramural Research will provide training for grantees on use of the NIH RPPR eRA module. This webinar is designed for those who are responsible for completing and/or submitting progress reports to NIH through the eRA Commons.

Registration information is provided below. The webinar is limited to1000 log-ins and interested participants should register early. To maximize participation NIH strongly encourages institutions to promote classroom style viewing whereby groups of viewers can participate via one log-in. This event will be recorded and accessible 3-5 business days following the webinar on the RPPR webpage should staff wish to view it at a later date.

Title: NIH RPPR Training Webinar for all Grantees

Date: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Live Broadcast

Time: 1:30pm-3:00pm EDT

Registration Required!

Webinar Logistics:

Reserve your webinar slot at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/647997446

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing a unique log-in number and additional information about joining the webinar.

System Requirements:

PC-based attendees: Windows 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh-based attendees: Mac OS X 10.5 or newer

The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session. Questions will need to be submitted using the online tool.

Review the RPPR webpage in advance for additional materials, including background and the RPPR Instruction Guide.

For GoToWebinar registration questions email: extramuralnexus@mail.nih.gov

For general questions about using the eRA Commons:

eRA Service Desk
Web: http://ithelpdesk.nih.gov/eRA/ (Preferred method of contact)
Toll-free: 1-866-504-9552
Phone: 301-402-7469
TTY: 301-451-5939
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 7a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
Email: commons@od.nih.gov (for Commons Support)

For inquiries about this Notice:

Division of Grants Policy
Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration
Office of Extramural Research
National Institutes of Health
6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 350
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: 301-435-0949
Email: GrantsPolicy@od.nih.govE