eRA Implementation

NIST is excited to announce the official launch of eRA (Electronic Research Administration), a new grants enterprise management system. Effective October 1, 2026, all award recipients, including those receiving grants, cooperative agreements, and other transaction agreements, will be required to use eRA for applicant and recipient activities. The impacted Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureaus includes:

• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
• U.S. Census Bureau
   

Grants Enterprise Management System (GEMS)

As part of the Department-wide effort to harmonize and modernize the award systems, DOC has created a dedicated office that provides internal bureau support for system migration and operations and maintenance. The Grants Enterprise Management System (GEMS) Program Management Office (PMO) will share eRA updates and system enhancements to all users, including the recipient community.

Electronic Research Administration (eRA)

eRA is a federal shared service originally developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and now used by over ten partner agencies and bureaus to ensure a robust, efficient infrastructure for managing financial assistance mechanisms. It offers an end-to-end award solution and has over 30 years of experience serving grants, cooperative agreements, and other transaction agreements. eRA provides a web-based interface for both applicants and recipient staff (eRA Commons) and federal staff (eRA IMPAC II). The system provides novel features such as two-way communication with applicants and recipients and submission tracking.

Award Life Cycle in eRA

Steps to navigate eRA Commons for NIST, Census, ITA, MBDA, and NTIA Awards.

Credit: FAAMO