Butler-Williams Scholars Program

To the UMBC Grant Community,

This is a reminder that Effort Reports for Fall 2020 are available and ready for certification. The Fall 2020 period includes Payroll 2021001 through Payroll 202014 (from June 21, 2020 through January 2, 2021). Certifications are due March 30, 2021.

Please remember that Effort Reports are both a Compliance Tool and a Grants Management Tool. After reviewing payroll charges, work with your business managers if any changes are needed. Payroll cost transfers (retros) must be processed prior to certification of Effort Reports.   

To find out whether you have open effort reports (see page 6, Year: 2020 Period: Fall) and to learn how to certify them, see the updated Effort Report Quick Reference Guide revised October 2020 with screenshots for your convenience. This guide provides detailed instructions on how to access and certify the Effort Reports.

*New* Within the updated Effort Report Quick Reference Guide, starting on page 12, are details showing the bottom non-sponsored section as auto updating the effort %. This section is now read-only and will not need to be filled out by the PI/Certifier.

Your timely commitment to this process is appreciated.

Required Use of Two-Factor Authentication Using Login.Gov for eRA's External Modules in 2021

Notice Number: NOT-OD-21-040

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-040.html

This Guide Notice is regarding NIH’s implementation of the new two-factor authentication (2FA) login.  The new login method will affect users accessing eRA Commons, ASSIST, Internet Assisted Review (IAR) and Commons Mobile. This login method has a mandatory deadline of September 15, 2021; however, NIH encourages users to transition to the 2FA login now.  In addition, this “2FA login will allow users to log in to four different grants systems (eRA, Grants.gov, GrantsSolutions.gov and Payment Management System) using the same login.gov credentials.”

Please familiarize yourself with the new 2FA login requirement using the resources below:

Two-Factor Authentication: Access eRA Modules via login.gov

https://era.nih.gov/register-accounts/access-era-modules-via-login-gov.htm

 Two-Factor Authentication for eRA Systems

https://era.nih.gov/era-training/era-videos.htm#2FA

One-page flyer

https://era.nih.gov/files/2FA_flyer.pdf

·         Two-Factor Authentication FAQs

 https://era.nih.gov/faqs.htm#XXIV

·         eRA Commons Online Help

 https://era.nih.gov/erahelp/Commons/default.htm#cshid=12

·         ASSIST Online Help

https://era.nih.gov/erahelp/assist/default.htm#cshid=100

Should you have any questions, please contact OSP.

Purpose:

eRA Commons, an online interface where grant applicants, recipients, reviewers and federal staff at NIH and other eRA partner agencies can access and share administrative information related to applications and awards, will see two of its main screens redesigned and launched in January 2021.

The modernized home screen (log-in screen) and the landing screen (screen once logged in) will provide a simpler interface that reflects user feedback. The new look will also come with enhanced security and stability for the eRA Commons module.

Key information will be front and center – eRA Service Desk contact info, links to register an organization, create an account, submit a reference letter, and learn more about how to use eRA systems via information on the eRA website.

A significant change is that, once logged in, access to other eRA modules within eRA Commons will be through an apps menu at the top left of the screen.

Should you have any questions, please contact OSP.

·        Reminder: Mandatory Submission of the Federal Financial Report (FFR) in the Payment Management System Beginning January 1, 2021

Notice Number: NOT-OD-21-046

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-046.html

In alignment with HHS, NIH is implementing this change to allow recipients to report/certify expenditure data once through a single entry point and eliminate the need to report duplicative information across multiple reporting sources.

Beginning January 1, 2021, respective to NIH awards that require submission of an FFR, NIH recipients will be required to submit the FFR in the Payment Management System (PMS).  FFRs submitted prior to January 1, 2021, must use the FFR module in the eRA Commons based on the previous requirements set forth by the agency (see NIH Grants Policy Statement 8.4.1.5.2). FFRs submitted on or after January 1, 2021 must use PMS.

Training sessions offered by PMS for recipients will be posted at this link as they become available: https://pms.psc.gov/training/gr-ffr-training.html

Please refer to the guide notice linked above for more details.

If you have any questions, please contact OSP.