ERRORS AND WARNINGS FROMGRANTS.GOV AND NIHERACOMMONS

Errors

Errors must be addressed before the application can move on.

After making all corrections to the application forms, the entire changed/corrected application must be resubmitted through Grants.gov. Once an error-free application is received, the eRA system will assemble the application and make the grant image available to the PI and Signing Official for a final check.

Please e-mail changed/revised PureEdge application files to .

Error / Notes
The ___ attachment is not in PDF format, or the filename is invalid. All attachments must be provided to the agency in PDF format, filenames must be included with no spaces or special characters (including brackets), and a .pdf extension must be used. / See NIH’sPDF guidelines ( for tips on creating PDF files that the eRA system will accept.
In many cases the issue is the use of special characters like brackets and slashes in attachment filenames.
The eRA Commons Username must be submitted for the PD/PI in the PD/PI Credential field on the Senior/Key Person page. / This NIH requirement is easy to miss, since the field on the government-wide form is not marked as mandatory.
Remember, if your application includes multiple-PIs, the eRA Commons Username must be provided for all Sr./Key persons with the PD/PI role.
Senior/Key Person listed on the 424 RR Detailed Budget Page for budget year __, must include effort of a value greater than zero in calendar months, academic months, or summer months. Note: use either calendar months or a combination of academic and summer months. / Unless otherwise specified in an agency announcement, Sr./Key personnel are defined as all individuals who contribute in a substantive, measurable way to the scientific development or execution of the project, whether or not salaries are requested.
If no effort is contributed, NIH does not consider them integral to the project.
The organization name for Key Person must be provided on the Senior/Key Person page. / NIH requires the “Organization Name” field to be included for each Sr./Key person. This field is not marked as mandatory on the government-wide form, so it is easy to miss.
The Biosketch for Senior/Key Person _____ on the Senior/Key Person page is longer than four pages. / Delete attachment, correct biographical sketch, and re-attach new PDF file.
A fee has been entered for year 1 of the budget for the subaward on the 424 RR Budget page (section F-K). / Fees are not allowed for subaward/consortium budgets. Delete information in this field.
For resubmissions (amended applications) and renewals (competing continuations), the Federal Identifier must be included. / Please include the IC and serial number of the prior grant number in the Federal Identifier field on the SF 424 RR Cover page (e.g., CA123456).
Your submission was received. However it contained the following errors and cannot be forwarded to the granting agency.
The following errors were detected:Error: 0 SCHEMA_VALIDATION_ERROR FATAL / This usually means a required form field has been left blank. Please use the “Check Package for Errors” button to find the location of the error. If you are submitting detailed subaward budgets, each subaward attachment has its own “Check Form for Errors” button.

OTHER COMMONS ERRORS

Do not submit both modular and detailed budgets

NIH accepts the submission of either the modular budget or the detailed budget, but not both. Some applications will list both the modular and detailed budget components as “optional.” This is to allow the appropriate component to be chosen. Submission of either a modular or detailed budget is required for all grant applications, with the following exceptions: S10, X01, X02, C06, UC6, G20 and DP1. Choose one or the other, not both.

Start date for first budget year must be same as start date for proposed project start date

Remember to check start and end dates. For new applications and revisions/amendments to new applications, the start date for the first budget year on the 424 RR Budget page must be the same as the proposed project start date listed on the SF424 (R&R) Cover page.
The rule is the same for detailed or modular budgets.

Total Cost Does Not Equal Direct and Indirect Costs

Ensure that the direct costs and the indirect costs (G + H) on Section F-K must EQUAL the Total Direct and Indirect Costs (G + H) on the Cumulative Budget page. Only whole numbers should be used on the budget page, no decimals. Round calculations DOWN to the nearest dollar. IDC rates cannot exceed 99 on any line.

Missing PD/PI Personnel entry on Detailed Budget Page

There must be a Personnel entry listed for the PD/PI on the Detailed Budget Page for budget year 1. [#1 of the Research & Related Budget – Section A & B (budget year 1)]. The name given for the PD/PI for the budget year must match the name given for the PD/PI on the Senior/Key Person form.

Warnings

Warnings can be fixed at the applicant’s discretion but do not require action for the application to move on.

Due to the heavy volume of electronic applications, Grants and Contracts does not encourage submission of changed/revised applications solely to correct warnings, particularly warnings for missing divisions/departments or names entered on forms that do not exactly match eRA Commons entries (e.g., the eRA Commons account includes a middle initial for the individual but the application form page does not). In some cases, attempts to fix warnings have instead generated errors that were not present in the initial submission.

Warning / Notes
The human subject assurance number entered in Other Project Information, item 1a does not match what is in the eRA Commons profile for your organization. There are rare cases where this is permissible. Please make sure that the correct number is entered on the Other Project Information page. If not, correct and resubmit. / The HSC campus human subjects assurance number for Grants.gov applications is 00005070. If you have entered this number, please disregard the warning. We are working with NIH to eliminate this message.
The Indirect Cost Rate (on the 424 RR Budget page section F-K) is less than 1 for budget Year __. / This entry represents a percentage(e.g., enter 54.0, not 0.54).
The name provided for the ____ listed on the SF 424 RR Cover does not match the name listed on the eRA Commons account. / The grant image will display the name as submitted here. If the name listed in the eRA Commons is not current, please update it in the eRA Commons..
The position/title listed on the SF 424 RR Cover, does not match those listed on the eRA Commons account. The grant image will display the position/title as submitted here. / If the position/title on the eRA Commons account is not current, please update it in the eRA Commons by editing the appropriate employment record in the Personal Profile.
If appropriate for your organization, please supply a division for the ____ on the SF 424 RR Cover. / Recommend disregarding this warning.
If appropriate for your organization, please supply a division for the ____ on the SF 424 RR Cover / Recommend disregarding this warning.
The name provided for Key Person _____ on the Senior/Key Person page does not match the eRA Commons account name _____. / The grant image will display the name as submitted.
No degrees have been submitted for the PD/PI. / If you want the degrees to be displayed on the face page of the grant image, you should include them on the PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement.
A role of Co-PI has been indicated for senior/key person _____ on the Senior/Key Person page. / NIH does not use this role. The application will be processed, but may be delayed in the peer review process.