Logging into eRA Commons

Access to eRA Commons depends on the type of user. The Commons user (applicant, signing official, NIH staff, etc.) can log in using Closedone of four ways listed on the eRA Commons login screen:

screenshot showing the part of the Commons landing page with the login options

Log In with Login.gov

If switching to Login.gov, follow the instructions in Transitioning To and Using Login.gov.

If you attempt to log in with your normal eRA credentials, and you see one of the following screens, then you are being transitioned to mandatory use of Login.gov; see Transitioning To and Using Login.gov.

If you see one of these dialogs when logging in with your eRA credentials, you must now start using login.gov.

Log In with eRA Credentials

This method uses a username and password that is assigned and maintained by the eRA Commons system. This method is being phased out gradually and eventually all external users must create and associate a Login.gov account, which associates the eRA credentials with the Login.gov account, but uses Login.gov for authentication. See below for instructions.

NOTE:  If you are an NIH staff member who needs to log in with your NIH network account credentials and you have an active NIH PIV exemption, see Login Screen for Internal Staff, and scroll down to the topic titled, Log In Using NIH Network Account Credentials (Only available for NIH users who have an active NIH PIV exemption).

Log In with and InCommon Federated Account

This method uses an InCommon federated account (when a user's organization participates in the InCommon federated account login program, which involves using the organization’s own credentials). See Federated Institutions/Organizations Commons Login for instructions.

Log In with PIV/CAC or With Network Credentials+PIV Exemption

If you are an internal NIH or Agency user accessing Commons, see the Login Screen for Internal Staff topic.

If you are an NIH staff member who needs to log in with network credentials and you have an active NIH PIV exemption, access the above topic, and scroll down to the topic titled, Log In Using NIH Network Account Credentials (Only available for NIH users who have an active NIH PIV exemption).

Commons Landing Page

After logging in, you see Closedthe landing page. See Welcome to eRA Commons! for details.

sample of a successful login

Session Expiration

If you are going to be away from your computer for an extended period, save any changes and log out of the system. Work sessions expire after 45 minutes of inactivity. At that time, the system returns to the Commons Login screen.