Office of Research and Project Administration

To: University of Rochester NIH Investigators and Administrators
As you know, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is transitioning to electronic submission using the SF424 Research and Research Related (R&R) application form through Grants.gov. This transition process is being implemented in stages by grant mechanism. NIH started this process with SBIR/STTR and R13/U13 (Conference grants) submissions in December 2005 and has continued with other small (in application numbers) submissions such as R36 (Research Dissertation Grant) and S10 (Biomedical Instrumentation) proposals.
We are now approaching a sizeable (in application numbers) NIH Grants.gov deadline. Starting with the June 1, 2006, deadline, all R03 (Small Grant) and R21 (Exploratory/Development), as well as R33 and R34 (Phased Innovation and Clinical Trial Planning) applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. In addition, resubmission of R03 and R21 grant applications on July 1, 2006 will also require submission through Grants.gov. ORPA will be offering training opportunities to allow investigators and administrators to familiarize themselves with the SF424 R&R application forms and the electronic process. A Grants.gov Task Force, consisting of senior academic leaders, ORPA personnel, department administrators, faculty, ISD (Information Systems Division) and ITS (Information Technology Services) personnel has been formed to develop a protocol for University of Rochester submissions. A University of Rochester grants.gov website has been set up for your information at http://www.rochester.edu/ORPA/Grants.gov/index.htm.
At this time, please inform your ORPA Research Administrator whether you or a faculty member in your department is planning to submit for the June 1 or July 1 deadline using one of these grant mechanisms. Because Grants.gov support for Mac users is problematic, we are trying to work out a UR solution, rather than rely on the Grants.gov citrix solution. When you respond to this e-mail, please indicate whether you will be submitting using a PC or a Mac (or other non-Windows operating system). If you will be using a Mac to prepare your application, please also let me know the version of the operating system.
This is a new process. If you are planning to submit electronically on June 1, please contact your ORPA RA for assistance, updates and additional information.
Thank you for your assistance. We want to ensure that your proposal submission is successful.
Gunta
Gunta J. Liders
Associate VP for Research Administration
Office of Research & Project Administration
510 Hylan Building, RC Box 270140
Rochester, NY 14627-0140
(585) 275-5373 phone
(585) 275-9492 fax
gunta.liders@rochester.edu

Donna Beyea - x5-8037
Donna Galloway - x5-1502
Marlene Boutet - x3-3960
Brenda Kavanaugh - x5-1504
Jane Tolbert - x5-4210
Cheryl K. Williams - x5-1503