eRA to Launch New Web-Based Financial Status Report (FSR) System

This November, eRA will launch a Web-based system for the electronic submission of Financial Status Reports (FSRs). The new FSR system will replace the IMPAC I dial-up/terminal-based program currently used by more than 200 grantee organizations.

The new FSR module will be in limited deployment until the week of November 18, at which time it will be opened up to all users of the IMPAC I FSR system. The old system is targeted to be turned off on December 31, 2002.

The NIH eRA Commons Version 2 (V.2) will serve as a gateway for the new FSR module. Logon to NIH eRA Commons V.2 requires a unique username and password. NIH eRA staff will be contacting institutions to establish accounts for FSR electronic submission. Current NIH eRA Commons Version 1 (V.1) institutions and users automatically will be converted to NIH eRA Commons V.2. Current FSR users who are not NIH eRA Commons V.1 users also will be contacted with information about and help with Commons registration.

If your institution currently submits FSRs electronically, but is not a registered NIH eRA Commons user, you will be able to register at commons.era.nih.gov after December 1. Registration is a simple process and should only take a short time. Here are the steps involved:

  1. Complete the online institution registration form.    
  2. Print signature form, obtain necessary signature, and fax back to the NIH.    
  3. Reply to the email address verification message sent by the NIH.    
  4. Wait for the NIH to process the registration.    
  5. Confirm that the IPF assignment for the registration is correct.    
  6. Receive account information from the NIH.    
  7. Create and maintain additional accounts for the institution.

After December 31, if your institution has not registered, you will need to submit FSRs in paper form until your institution enrolls. We regret the short timeline for the conversion and will make every effort to facilitate your transition.

If you have any questions about the registration process or about how to use the new FSR module, contact the eRA Helpdesk at commons@od.nih.gov or 866-504-9552.