Federal Grants

What is eRA Commons?

What is eRA Commons?

What is eRA Commons?  The eRA Commons is a web interface where National Institute of Health, certain other Department of Health and Human Services agencies,  applicants and institutions are able to to participate in the electronic grant application and administration process.  Principle Investigators and postdoctoral personnel funded by the NIH are required to be registered with the Commons, and to include their Commons user name in their proposals. The best place to start is with the following presentations geared to provide you with an overview of the electronic grant application process: Interacting Electronically With NIH (PowerPoint – 4 MB) – Updated June…read more →

NEW Government System Award Management (SAM)

NEW Government System Award Management (SAM)

Celebrate SAM in July! SAM = 1 Login, 1 Process, & 1 Reporting Location. SAM is sponsored by the Government Services Agency (GSA).  SAM will consolidate numerous grants and contracts databases into one location.  SAM will give users one login site for accessing information and data currently housed on a variety of siloed sites. Beware, this next bits of information are a lot of acronyms and jargon. SAM will merge 9 government data and reporting systems into one system.  Included in this list of systems are several used by grantor agencies and grant applicants/grantees, such as CCR, EPLS, the FFATA (Federal…read more →

Grant Ready, Set, Go!

Grant Ready, Set, Go!

Grant Ready, Set, Go!     Organizations big and small come to us to find grant resources and prepare proposals.  They come with great ideas and amazing projects, and before we can go forward with a grant application we find out if they are ‘Grant Ready’.    What does it mean to be ‘Grant Ready’ One of the most effective ways you can increase your success rate with grants is to be ready to apply for a grant.   Of course, this sounds obvious! However, being grant ready is an ongoing process that requires an investment of time and resources which…read more →

What Do Grantmakers Mean When They Ask You to Describe “Program Sustainability After the Grant”?

What Do Grantmakers Mean When They Ask You to Describe “Program Sustainability After the Grant”?

What do Grantmakers Mean When They Ask You to Describe “Program Sustainability After the Grant”? Grantmakers and donors are asking you how you will keep your program running after their commitments and investments in your organization or program is over. How do you answer these questions? What are grantmakers really asking? Well, across funders there is little consensus on the definition and conceptualization of sustainability. Some funders want to see other investors in your projects and programs including other grants, donations and program income. While other funders are more interested in your ability to communicate and demonstrate a lasting impact…read more →