Using ASSIST to Prepare Your Application

The Application Submission System & Interface for Submission Tracking (ASSIST) system is used to prepare and submit grant applications electronically to NIH and other Public Health Service agencies. Check out this step-by-step guide for using ASSIST.

Getting Started | 10:27

Learn about the 8 steps to submitting a NIH Grant Application using ASSIST, from finding an opportunity of interest to tracking your application through to eRA Commons.

Single-Project Application

• Find a Funding Opportunity in the NIH Guide for Grants & Contracts and record the Notice Number (e.g., PA-16-160)

Decide who will be responsible for data entry in ASSIST and gather their eRA Commons usernames

• Login to ASSIST using your eRA Commons username and password
• Use the Initiate Application feature and your Notice Number to get started on your application
  • Or, access applications already in progress using the Search feature

  Automatic Edit access is given to:

  • All SOs (Signing Official) and AOs (Administrative Officials) at the applicant organization
  • The PD/PIs designated on the application (once eRA Commons username is entered in Credential field)
  • The user that initiated the application

  Access can be given (or revoked) to additional users using the Manage Access action

  • Use the tabs across the top of the screen to move between forms
  • Complete the R&R Cover tab first
  • Add Optional Forms as needed.
  • Multiple users can simultaneously work on your application, but only one user at a time can Edit an individual form
  • Preview Application
  • Use the Validate Application action to check your entered data against NIH business rules
  • Use the Preview Application action to generate a draft application image in the agency format
  • Check the application image for any assembly issues
  • Use the Update Submission Status action to change your application from Work In Progress status to Ready for Submission status
    • If additional edits are needed, the application must be returned to Work In Progress status
    • Use the Submit button on the Summary tab to submit to the agency through Grants.gov
      • Only active for users logged into ASSIST with an eRA Commons account with the SO role

      Use the View Submission Status Details link to track your application status

      • If your application successfully processed through to eRA Commons, the 7-digit Agency Tracking # will be hyperlinked to the eRA Commons detailed status screen
      • Carefully check your assembled application image (e-Application) and associated documents in the Other Relevant Documents div of the screen

      Multi-Project Application

      • Find a Funding Opportunity in the NIH Guide for Grants & Contracts and record the Notice Number (e.g., PA-16-123)
      • Carefully read the Funding Opportunity, noting allowable types of required/optional components and any special instructions
      • Understand the structure of NIH multi-project applications and how Multi-project Application Images (annotated sample) are assembled.
      • Define the layout of your application (e.g., define components and who will lead each)
      • Decide who will be responsible for data entry in ASSIST and gather their eRA Commons IDs
      • Login to ASSIST using your eRA Commons username and password
      • Use the Initiate Application feature and your Notice Number to get started on your application
        • Or, access applications already in progress using the Search feature

        Automatic Edit access is given to: SOs (Signing Official) and AOs (Administrative Officials ) at the applicant organization; the PD/PIs designated on the application; and the application initiator

        • Similar automatic access provided at the component level

        Access can be given (or revoked) to additional users using the Manage Access action

        • Use the left-hand component navigation and the top form tabs to move between components and forms
        • Complete the R&R Cover tab first
        • Add Optional Forms as needed
        • Multiple users can simultaneously work on your application; only one user at a time can Edit an individual form
        • Use the Validate Component and Validate Application actions to check your entered data against NIH business rules
        • Use the Preview Application action to generate a draft application image in the agency format
        • Check the application image for any assembly issues
        • Use the Update Component Status and Update Submission Status actions to lock down editing and prepare your application for submission
          • If additional edits are needed, the application must be returned to Work In Progress status
          • Use the Submit button on the Summary tab to submit to the agency through Grants.gov
            • Only active for users logged into ASSIST with an eRA Commons account with the SO role

            Use the View Submission Status Details link to track your application status

            • If your application successfully processed through to eRA Commons, the 7-digit Agency Tracking # will be hyperlinked to the eRA Commons detailed status screen
            • Carefully check your assembled application image (e-Application) and associated documents in the Other Relevant Documents div of the screen