The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has implemented enhancements in the eRA Commons system to align the Prior Approval: Change of PD/PI Request, Just-in-Time (JIT), and Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) processes with the updated Common Forms requirements outlined in NIH Notice NOT-OD-26-018. These changes were scheduled for release on Monday, January 26, 2026 and affect submissions on or after January 25, 2026.
What’s Changing & Why It Matters
As NIH moves to standardize forms across application and post-award processes, several key system and submission updates are now in effect to improve consistency and compliance:
New Common Forms Required: All Biographical Sketch and Current & Pending (Other) Support (CPOS) documents must now be created and certified in SciENcv and uploaded as PDFs generated by SciENcv. These include Common Forms and the NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement.
CommonsID + ORCID Requirement: All Senior/Key Personnel and any New Other Significant Contributors listed on an application or award must have an active eRA CommonsID linked to their ORCID iD, which serves as the unique identifier for SciENcv.
Uploads & File Standards: PDFs must be the original certified SciENcv files. After certification and download, file names may be adjusted, but the content must not be altered or “flattened.”
Resubmission of In-Progress Records: Any Prior Approval, JIT, or RPPR Participants submissions that were initiated but not submitted before January 25, 2026, must be redone under the updated interface.
Specific Module Changes
Prior Approval – Change of PD/PI: Users must upload the SciENcv-generated and certified Common Forms (Biographical Sketch/NIH Supplement and CPOS) for any new PD/PI request. Supporting documents such as foreign contract materials must be uploaded separately in the designated attachment field.
Just-in-Time (JIT): Updated requirements mandate SciENcv-created Common Forms for required documents. A new section in JIT supports the additional personnel fields (e.g., eRA Commons User ID, ORCID, name).
RPPR Participants Section: The RPPR user interface has been redesigned so that participant-related questions and file upload requirements are contained within an interactive modal that adjusts based on responses.
Action Items for USC Researchers & Admins
Ensure all Senior/Key Personnel and Other Significant Contributors have a CommonsID linked to ORCID.
Use SciENcv exclusively to create, certify, and download Biographical Sketch and CPOS PDFs for submissions.
Review any in-progress Prior Approval, JIT, or RPPR records that were not submitted before January 25, 2026, and resubmit under the new requirements.
Contact the NIH eRA Commons Service Desk for technical assistance if needed.
Questions?
Please reach out to your DCG Officer if you have any questions.