NIH Grant Basics and Need-to-Know Resources

<p>Ms. Sheri Cummins is a Communications Strategist with the NIH Office of Extramural Research’s Division of Communication and Outreach. She is recognized in the community for her active involvement with applicant institutions, knowledge level of the NIH grants process, and enthusiasm for sharing and helping teach. Ms. Cummins joined NIH in 2008 as a Customer Relationship Manager for the electronic Research Administration (eRA) program focusing on eRA’s external services including eRA Commons and Electronic Application Submission. While working in eRA, she led many projects including the implementation of NIH's web-based ASSIST system for grant application preparation and submission. In 2013, she moved to the Division of Communications and Outreach for the NIH Office of Extramural Research where she is responsible for grants process communications and outreach.</p><p>Prior to coming to NIH, she worked for GE Global Exchange Services for 13 years in various roles including people and project management, communications, customer support, and client advocacy. She was also the owner/operator of a small retail business. Ms. Cummins is an alumna of the University of Maryland, where she received a B.S. in Computer Science.</p>

<p>Ms. Cynthia Dwyer serves as the Outreach Coordinator within the NIH Office of Extramural Research’s Division of Communications and Outreach. She is often recognized for her work as the Coordinator of the NIH Virtual Grants Conferences on Program Funding and Grants Administration. In addition, she is responsible for coordinating other OER outreach activities and the development of resources for the extramural research community.</p><p>Ms. Dwyer began her career with NIH in 2000 as a Grants Management Specialist for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), where she served for five years. In 2005, she moved to the NIH Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration (OPERA) where she served as a Grants Policy Officer before joining OER’s communications office. Ms. Dwyer obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Texas, her teaching degree from the University of Missouri-St Louis, and her Master of Arts in School Administration from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. Prior to her career with the NIH, Ms. Dwyer taught grade school, wrote grants for her school district, served as a regional customer service trainer and manager for a major retail chain, and published a travel magazine of Central Missouri.</p>

<p>Ms. Cynthia Dwyer serves as the Outreach Coordinator within the NIH Office of Extramural Research’s Division of Communications and Outreach. She is often recognized for her work as the Coordinator of the NIH Virtual Grants Conferences on Program Funding and Grants Administration. In addition, she is responsible for coordinating other OER outreach activities and the development of resources for the extramural research community.</p><p>Ms. Dwyer began her career with NIH in 2000 as a Grants Management Specialist for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), where she served for five years. In 2005, she moved to the NIH Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration (OPERA) where she served as a Grants Policy Officer before joining OER’s communications office. Ms. Dwyer obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Texas, her teaching degree from the University of Missouri-St Louis, and her Master of Arts in School Administration from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. Prior to her career with the NIH, Ms. Dwyer taught grade school, wrote grants for her school district, served as a regional customer service trainer and manager for a major retail chain, and published a travel magazine of Central Missouri.</p>