Welcome to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
for our Business Process and the infoEd System for Electronic Research Administration (eRA)

With anything new, there will be questions and comments so we expect a few about the new business process and/or the electronic research administration system now that implementation has begun. We welcome them. Ask a question or comment
System Administrators: Terri Hall 1-7378, Hall.74@nd.edu
Shohn Turner 1-1085 sturner@nd.edu

NOTE: The latest questions will appear at the top of this list.
Here are some we’ve received thus far:

- How do I obtain access to the eRA system?
- How do I get a sponsor or subcontract listed in the system?
- How do I add/delete someone as a delegate to work on my applications?
- What is this new business model about?
- Tell me more about this eRA system.
- How soon will campus users be able to access the system?
- How will we access it?
- How will training be provided?
- When will electronic routing be available?
- What happens if the person to approve is out of the office?
- I currently assist a faculty member in preparing proposals and managing awards. Will I be able to work on his behalf in this system?

Q. How do I obtain access to the eRA system?
A. Active faculty researchers are already be in the system. Those new to the Notre Dame research community may need to be added. Contact Terri or Shohn to do that - see above.

Q. How do I get a sponsor or subcontract listed in the system?
A. Email research@nd.edu with Subject = “Add Sponsor” or “Add Subcontractor”
In the body provide the following:
- Legal business name:
- Contact Person or PI:
- Address:
- Phone Number:
- Email:
It only takes a few minutes to add a sponsor or subcontractor, so you’ll be back in business very quickly.

Q. How do I add/delete someone as a delegate to work on my applications?
A. Email us your permission/rejection for someone else to work on your applications.

Q. What is this new business model about?
A. Beginning December 1, 2006, the Office of Research expanded its pre-award services. To ease the administrative burden, a research administrator has been partnered with each faculty researcher. You now have the option to have your research administrator (RA) complete the non-science portions of the proposal (agency forms, budget assistance or completion, and certifications and assurances). This frees you to focus on the science portions of the proposal.

It’s helpful when Principal Investigators notify their RA at least 7 days before the submission date to provide enough time to prepare the forms, etc. Each Research Administrator is working with more than 100 researchers across campus. If you are unsure which RA you are to notify, please contact the Office of Research.

Note: The Principal Investigators in the College of Arts and Letters will continue to work with the Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts.

Q. Tell me more about this eRA system.
A. All the details are in this announcement made to campus via our website and News & Information.

Q. How soon will campus users be able to access the system?
A. We are working one-on-one with campus researchers as proposal submission deadlines occur.

Q. How will we access it?
A. Users will access the system via the Research Channel on InsideND. After logging in there, go to the Research Channel (or add it to your layout), and click on the InfoEd link. Instructions on how to add a channel are available on InsideND.

Q. How will training be provided?
A. We’ve created 1-sheets of instructions for those who want quick answers. Those wanting more detail can request personal training in your office or can attend 60-90 minute workshops. We’re also looking into online tutorials. And you can always call or email us with your questions.

Q. When will electronic routing be available?
A. Right now!

Q. What happens if the person to approve is out of the office?
A. Approvers will need to assign at least one backup to give approvals in their place.

Q. I currently assist a faculty member in preparing proposals and managing awards. Will I be able to work on his behalf in this system?
A. Yes, once your PI emails us his permission for you to work in that capacity. You will be considered a delegate which means you can work on the proposal.