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Preparing Your Application Using ASSIST

 

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.

On this page you can preview process for:
  • Single-project Application
  • Multi-project Application
  • Navigating ASSIST Screen


Getting Started: Video

Step 1: Find a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)

  • Find an FOA of interest in the NIH Guide for Grants & Contracts and record the FOA number (e.g., PA-16-160)
     
  • The 'Apply Online Using ASSIST' button just above the FOA Table of Contents takes you to ASSIST

Step 2: Make a submission plan

  • Decide who will be responsible for data entry in ASSIST and gather their eRA Commons usernames

Step 3: Login to ASSIST & Initiate Your Application

Step 4: 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

Step 5: 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 Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer as needed.
     
  • Multiple users can simultaneously work on your application, but only one user at a time can Edit an individual form
     
  • Preview Application Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer
     
  • Use the Validate Application Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer action to check your entered data against NIH business rules

Step 6: Finalize your application and prepare for submission

  • Use the Preview Application Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer action to generate a draft application image in the agency format
     
  • Check the application image for any assembly issues
     
  • Use the Update Submission Status Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer 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

Step 7: Submit your application

  • Use the Submit Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer 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

Step 8: Track your application status and view your assembled application image

  • Use the View Submission Status Details Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer 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

Step 1: Find a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)

  • Find an FOA of interest in the NIH Guide for Grants & Contracts and record the FOA number (e.g., PA-16-123)
     
  • The 'Apply Online Using ASSIST' button just above the FOA Table of Contents takes you to ASSIST

Step 2: Make a submission plan

  • Carefully read the FOA, noting allowable types of required/optional components and any special instructions
     
  • Understand the structure of NIH multi-project applications Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer  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
     

Step 3: Login to ASSIST & Initiate Your Application

  • Login to ASSIST at https://public.era.nih.gov/assist using your eRA Commons username and password
     
  • Use the Initiate Application Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer feature and your FOA 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

Step 4: 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

Step 5: 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 Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer 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 Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer actions to check your entered data against NIH business rules

Step 6: 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

Step 7: Submit your application

  • Use the Submit Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer 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

Step 8: Track your application status and view your assembled application image

  • Use the View Submission Status Details Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer 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
Screen Callouts Descriptions

This page last updated on: May 1, 2018

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