6 Comments
The answers to these and other new and updated FAQs are now available on our Other Support FAQ page. Just look for the 
and 
icons for updates made in the last 60 days.
- Can Other Support be signed with a wet signature or typed name?
- The new Other Support format page includes a chart that asks for the Year (YYYY). Is this calendar year or fiscal year?
- If only pending support has changed since the competing submission or latest RPPR, is updated Other Support required in the next RPPR submission?
- With the new Other Support format page, are pending grants now required on Other Support pages submitted for RPPRs?
- If an Other Support document was correct at time of submission but a new source of support is received, does an updated other support document need to be submitted at that time?
- Do PD/PIs need to provide copies of foreign grants, contracts, and agreements that are still pending and not yet finalized?
- If a PD/PI has no effort on a project but does have salary support, should it be reported in the In-Kind section?
Now that this new world of Other Support is taking a much, much bigger chunk of administrative time, has there been any thought to **dropping** the preliminary automated request for Other Support just after the score is received? Does anyone at the NIH actually evaluate the Other Support 5-6 months prior to the anticipated award start date? Does it have any impact at all on their subsequent award or lack thereof? Our investigators are eager to upload such information with the apparent thought that it gives them a funding edge and/or that it appears to be useful and mandatory. We research administrators love to assist with the funding process, but this automated JIT has always seemed quite superfluous to the aim.
Brilliant idea.
Seeking clarification on ‘electronic signature’ requirements, specifically for other-support documents. For the purpose of affixing an electronic signature to the other-support document; what requirements have to be met to ensure the ‘electronic signature’ meets NIH’s standard for ‘electronic signature’? For instances; does the ‘electronic signature’ require a time stamp; does NIH require certification of ‘electronic signatures’? There are multiple versions of (E-Sign) tools/software; I am curious if the standard (fill & sign) E-Sign tool, which does NOT certify or provide official time stamp, does this meet the NIH ‘electronic signature’ requirements for the purpose of electronically signing ‘other-support’ documents. Thanks in advance for any clarification you can provide on this matter.
As noted on our Other Support FAQs (https://grants.nih.gov/faqs#/other-support-and-foreign-components.htm?anchor=alphaHeader4226), recipients and applicants may use the electronic signature software of their choice, and in alignment with their institutional practices. A typed name is not an electronic signature and is not acceptable. Applicants and recipients must maintain supporting documentation to reasonably authenticate that the appropriate individual signed the form.
The application guide for Career Development Awards state that the Current and Pending Support is required for mentors and co-mentors at the time of application is limited to items relevant to the applicant’s project, excludes effort and overlap, and only allows 3 pages. Since this is not a full and complete Other Support, is a signature still required on these documents?
Yes. Please refer to Other Support FAQ (https://grants.nih.gov/faqs#/other-support-and-foreign-components.htm), I/B:
1. On Mentored Career Awards, mentors/co-mentors are required to submit Current and Pending Support in competing applications. NOT-OD-21-073 indicates that other support must include signatures. Do mentors need to sign the form when reporting current and pending support?
Yes. Attachments should be submitted as a flattened PDF, after all signatures are obtained. Applicants and recipients must maintain the original electronic signature and make it available upon request.