File-Type Issue in Grants.gov Applications

Please take note of the following file-type issue that has the potential to cause an error upon application submission via Grants.gov. Errors prevent an application from full submission and must be corrected with successful resubmission prior to the application deadline.*

ERROR: Attachment contains formatting or features not currently supported by NIH: 

Though the cause of the error is not fully understood (including by the eRA Help Desk), it seems that “hidden” content in a PDF file is the problem. Please note that in the recent instance, even printing and scanning the pages from the document in question did not alleviate the problem; sophisticated printers and scanners detected and reincorporated the hidden content.  

To confirm whether or not your PDF file has hidden content:

From the Tool Bar, select Document and then Examine Document: 

 

In the recent instance, Selecting “Remove all checked items” did not change the physical appearance of the document. All content, including signatures on letters, was maintained.

With this modification, the application was allowed through to full submission with no additional errors.

*Notes from the PHS SF424 (R&R) Adobe Forms Version B Application Guide:

(1) Please be aware of the distinction between errors and warnings. The word error is used to characterize any condition which causes the application to be deemed unacceptable for further consideration. Generally, errors will indicate significant inaccuracies, inconsistencies, omissions, or incorrect formatting that have been identified in the body of the application. Conversely, the word warning characterizes any condition that is acceptable, at least for the time being, but worthy of bringing to the applicant’s attention. It is at the applicant’s discretion whether a warning condition requires any action, but some warnings may need to be addressed later in the process.  

(2) Applicants should be aware that on-time submission means that an application is submitted error free (of both Grants.gov and eRA Commons errors) before 5 p.m. on the receipt date, local time of the applicant organization. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications to Grants.gov several days early to ensure enough time to correct any errors and to comply with the deadline.

Changes to PeopleSoft Proposal Checklist and PSRS Certification Statement

Please note the following changes to the PeopleSoft Proposal Checklist, which intend to give the Compliance Office of each UM campus clearer and more complete information about a proposed project (revised in red, new in blue): 

The Compliance Office and OSPA understand that the PI may not be able to answer some or all of these questions definitively at the proposal submission stage. However, addressing these questions at proposal provides the opportunity to prepare for any compliance issues that may need to be addressed should the proposal be awarded.

Additionally, the certification statement on page 2 of the PSRS is revised as follows:

It is understood that all parties to this submission are in compliance with Federal Regulations regarding Debarment and Suspension, Drug-Free Workplace, Lobbying, and Federal Debt Delinquency, Conflict of Interest, and any other requirements published by the sponsor in connection with this funding application. In addition, it is understood that all parties to this submission are bound to Federal, sponsor and/or UM-specific conflict of interest reporting requirements.  All potential conflicts have been reported to the appropriate University designated office/official and must be addressed by such office/official prior to award setup. It should be is further understood that the approvals given on this form represent general approval of technical merit, allocation of University resources and fiscal budgeting, but do not represent specific approval of personnel title classifications of or salary rates. Where funds are requested for the purchase of equipment, a determination has been made that no other equipment at the University is available or accessible or suitable for the intended use in accordance with Manual for the Procurement and Maintenance of Federally Obtained Property.

Information about new requirements under the 2011 Revised Regulation on Financial Conflict of Interest will be forthcoming from the MU Compliance Office. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about this or the revisions to the Checklist in the meantime.

Provisional F&A Rates Effective 07-01-12

The Effective Period for MU’s current F&A Rate Agreement ends 06-30-2012:

In late 2011, UM System submitted an F&A proposal for MU to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) based on actual costs for the fiscal year ending 06-30-2011. As part of the proposal analysis process, the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) will visit MU in June to conduct campus walkthroughs.  

Given the timing of this visit so near the end of the current Effective Period, please expect to utilize provisional rates while we await our new negotiated rates. As described in the current F&A Rate Agreement, provisional rates effective 07-01-2012 are the same as those currently applicable through 06-30-2012:

We will communicate new negotiated F&A rates as soon as they are received. As always, please feel free to contact me with questions.