The following five registrations are required to apply for SBIR/STTR funding. Be sure to notice that some are dependent on prior completion of others. Some take up to six weeks to obtain, so start early.
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
A unique 12-digit number that identifies your organization. (Note that the UEI is different from an EIN, which is solely for tax purposes.) The NIH requires a UEI before issuing an award. The UEI permits you to register for other registrations in this list (SAM, eRA Commons, and SBA Company registries). The UEI is assigned through SAM along with SAM registration. The UEI replaced the use of the Dunn and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) in April 2022. SAM automatically issued a UEI to anyone who had already registered prior to that date.
System for Award Management (SAM)
Registers your business to do business with the government. Required to get a federal grant and must be renewed annually. This process can take two to six weeks.
Grants.gov
The official access point to search and apply for federal grant funding. You need to be registered to use this portal to apply for funding but not to search for funding opportunities. Registration is free and requires a UEI number and SAM registration.
- Company registration information is sent from SAM to Grants.gov. Approval takes around a business day. Any individual who will sign off and submit applications also needs an account.
eRA Commons
eRA Commons is a system for NIH electronic research administration for extramural research. It allows sharing of grant applications and grant information among applicants, grantees, reviewers, and NIH staff. Both the institution and the key personnel on a grant proposal must have an account. The applicant organization should start registration at least six weeks before the grant submission. The signing official account (SO) is created when the organization is registered. The SO creates individual accounts for key personnel.
Login.gov account: You will need to establish your Login.gov account.
NSF Account Registration: Information on equivalent registrations for NSF funding.
SBA Company Registry
This registration yields an SBC Control ID number that gives access to the SBIR.gov system. A UEI, an EIN, and an email are required to register. Proof of registration is required before submitting an application. It usually takes only one business day.
Resource
Required Company Registrations – Describes the registrations to obtain before applying for funding with the NIH. Produced by the NIH’s resource SEED.gov.
References
USDHHS. Five Required Registrations. Originally in SBIR/STTR Application Process Infographic. December 23, 2020. See Register Your Company on Before You Apply for more recent details.
Matching: Check Your Understanding of These Registrations and IDs
Drag the description to the corresponding registration. After matching all descriptions and registrations, click “Check” to view feedback.
