Signing officials are institutional staff who have the legal authority to submit an application on behalf of the institution. For any given institution, many accounts can be created, each with its own privileges to accommodate the varying roles of signing officials, account administrators, principle investigators and trainees at the institution. Assigning roles to Commons accounts assures appropriate security and confidentiality of information. The NIH Commons will be a vehicle for the eventual submission of electronic applications. When funding becomes available, further development on the Commons will continue.
More scanning prototypes are in the works.
One impetus driving the use of scanning technology is to reduce storage space and filing costs. Another is to work through the issues of handling and storage of digital files in anticipation of the mandated requirement to begin receiving e-grants by FY2003. Taking advantage of scanning technology now will enable NIH to develop a phased approach and facilitate the development of business practices for receiving e-grants in the future. NIH currently scans into digital format millions of pieces of paper associated with the grant application and funding process. More scanning prototypes are in the works.