The National Institutes of Health (NIH) established eRA Commons as a system of simplifying the discreet exchange of crucial information between the NIH itself and grant-applicant organizations. ERA Commons acts as a web-based resource in which the NIH and grantee organizations can manage extramural research affairs via electronic means.
For those applying through the NIH, proposals are first submitted through Grants.gov - the federal portal for grants submissions - then, the proposal is retrieved through the eRA Commons online interface. Through the eRA Commons system, applicants, granting agencies, and federal staff at the NIH can retrieve and communicate essential information relating to a particular research grant - i.e., tracking the status of grant applications, submitting required documentation, submitting annual progress reports electronically, etc.
The ORSP acts as the Authorizing Official and Signing Official for the institution, in this case, York College, while The Research Foundation (RF CUNY) utilizes the NIH eRA Commons system to submit financial reports regarding the grant proposal.
ERA Commons uses an applicant's personal profile information to correspond with a specific grant application. It is recommended that applicants enter this profile information as carefully as possible, making sure to accurately notate their address, phone, and other personal identifying information.
ERA Commons is also used as a post-award administration hub, where you can request any extensions as well as prepare the NIH progress report.