Overview of Personal Profile

What is the purpose?  

The Personal Profile (PPF) in eRA Commons is the central repository of information on all eRA Commons registered users. This profile information is then integrated throughout eRA's systems and used for a variety of agency business such as peer review, application data, and trainee data.

Screenshots

Figure 1: Access Personal Profile by either selecting it from the Main menu at upper left or by clicking the Personal Profile button on the eRA Commons home screen

Figure 2: The Personal Profile form displaying the various categories of information

What are the features?

The PPF was redesigned from the ground up to provide a modern and intuitive interface, with clear feedback to ensure it is completed accurately and fully. All sections need to be completed before the profile can be successfully saved.

• Includes the same top navigation options as the traditional Commons look
• A left side ‘dashboard’ provides an at-a-glance summary of sections that have been completed and the ones remaining.
• Missing data or errant data is identified by red text and an ‘x’ icon
• Data fields are defined by the roles assigned to the account. For example, if the user is a reviewer, he or she will see data fields that are applicable to reviewers only
• Expandable and collapsible tiles present different categories of information to the user and allow for quick navigation to specific topics
• The PPF includes a password reminder field that lets the user know on what date he or she will be required to change/update the password
• The user’s ORCID ID is displayed, and if the user does not have one, a link is provided so that the user can create one
• Online help is integrated with the screen. Clicking a question mark on the screen will open the online help system for that specific topic

You can review the demonstration video for more information.

What are the benefits to the recipient community?

• It is designed so that individual eRA system users can hold and maintain ownership over the accuracy of their own profile information.
• Provides a single profile per person, regardless of the various roles they may hold throughout their relationship with the agency (e.g. trainee, graduate student, principal investigator, etc.), assuring data accuracy and integrity.
• Education information determines a user's eligibility for an Early Stage Investigator status as well as ascertains the eligibility of trainees and their stipend level. 
• Information on employment is used to identify any reviewer conflicts.

What are the benefits to NIH or Agency staff?

• It collects work history information that allows reviewer conflicts to be identified quickly and easily
• Easily managed contact information ensures a user can be reached, should the need arise
• Demographic information assists in the evaluation of a diverse biomedical workforce
• Data accommodates aggregate statistical reporting by the agency

Who can see Personal Profile?

• Registered eRA Commons users

Who can edit Personal Profile?

• Every registered eRA Commons user can edit their own Personal Profile
• Other eRA Commons registered users at your institution can be assigned the Personal Profile delegation, which allows them to edit and maintain the profile