Using ASSIST to Prepare Your Application

The Application Submission System & Interface for Submission Tracking (ASSIST) system is used to prepare and submit grant applications electronically to NIH and other Public Health Service agencies. Check out this step-by-step guide for using ASSIST.

Getting Started | 10:27

Learn about the 8 steps to submitting a NIH Grant Application using ASSIST, from finding an opportunity of interest to tracking your application through to eRA Commons.

Single-Project Application

Find a Funding Opportunity
 
Make a submission plan
 

Decide who will be responsible for data entry in ASSIST and gather their eRA Commons usernames
Login to ASSIST & Initiate Your Application
 
  • Login to ASSIST using your eRA Commons username and password
  • Use the Initiate Application feature and your Notice Number to get started on your application
    • Or, access applications already in progress using the Search feature
Provide application access to your team
 

Automatic Edit access is given to:

  • All SOs (Signing Official) and AOs (Administrative Officials) at the applicant organization
  • The PD/PIs designated on the application (once eRA Commons username is entered in Credential field)
  • The user that initiated the application

Access can be given (or revoked) to additional users using the Manage Access action

Enter Application Data
 
  • Use the tabs across the top of the screen to move between forms
  • Complete the R&R Cover tab first
  • Add Optional Forms as needed.
  • Multiple users can simultaneously work on your application, but only one user at a time can Edit an individual form
  • Preview Application
  • Use the Validate Application action to check your entered data against NIH business rules
Finalize your application and prepare for submission
 
  • Use the Preview Application action to generate a draft application image in the agency format
  • Check the application image for any assembly issues
  • Use the Update Submission Status action to change your application from Work In Progress status to Ready for Submission status
    • If additional edits are needed, the application must be returned to Work In Progress status
Submit your application
 
  • Use the Submit button on the Summary tab to submit to the agency through Grants.gov
    • Only active for users logged into ASSIST with an eRA Commons account with the SO role
  • Provide your valid Grants.gov Authorized Organizational Representative username and password when prompted
Track your application status and view your assembled application image

Use the View Submission Status Details link to track your application status

  • If your application successfully processed through to eRA Commons, the 7-digit Agency Tracking # will be hyperlinked to the eRA Commons detailed status screen
  • Carefully check your assembled application image (e-Application) and associated documents in the Other Relevant Documents div of the screen

Multi-Project Application

Find a Funding Opportunity
 
Make a submission plan
 
  • Carefully read the Funding Opportunity, noting allowable types of required/optional components and any special instructions
  • Understand the structure of NIH multi-project applications and how Multi-project Application Images (annotated sample) are assembled.
  • Define the layout of your application (e.g., define components and who will lead each)
  • Decide who will be responsible for data entry in ASSIST and gather their eRA Commons IDs
Login to ASSIST & Initiate Your Application
 
  • Login to ASSIST using your eRA Commons username and password
  • Use the Initiate Application feature and your Notice Number to get started on your application
    • Or, access applications already in progress using the Search feature
  • Use the Add New Component action to build out your application
Provide application access to your team
 

Automatic Edit access is given to: SOs (Signing Official) and AOs (Administrative Officials ) at the applicant organization; the PD/PIs designated on the application; and the application initiator

  • Similar automatic access provided at the component level

Access can be given (or revoked) to additional users using the Manage Access action

Enter Application Data
 
  • Use the left-hand component navigation and the top form tabs to move between components and forms
  • Complete the R&R Cover tab first
  • Add Optional Forms as needed
  • Multiple users can simultaneously work on your application; only one user at a time can Edit an individual form
  • Use the Validate Component and Validate Application actions to check your entered data against NIH business rules
Finalize your application and prepare for submission
 
  • Use the Preview Application action to generate a draft application image in the agency format
  • Check the application image for any assembly issues
  • Use the Update Component Status and Update Submission Status actions to lock down editing and prepare your application for submission
    • If additional edits are needed, the application must be returned to Work In Progress status
Submit your application
 
  • Use the Submit button on the Summary tab to submit to the agency through Grants.gov
    • Only active for users logged into ASSIST with an eRA Commons account with the SO role
  • Provide your valid Grants.gov Authorized Organizational Representative username and password when prompted
Track your application status and view your assembled application image

Use the View Submission Status Details link to track your application status

  • If your application successfully processed through to eRA Commons, the 7-digit Agency Tracking # will be hyperlinked to the eRA Commons detailed status screen
  • Carefully check your assembled application image (e-Application) and associated documents in the Other Relevant Documents div of the screen

Navigating ASSIST

Screen Callouts Descriptions

FAQs

See Also

Related Links

Application Instructions

ASSIST User Guides

This page last updated on: August 9, 2024
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