Organization ID Numbers Set To Change This Winter

Authorized organizational representatives, take note: federal electronic systems will soon transition from using DUN and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) numbers to new government-owned Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) numbers. The process will be automated. UEI entry fields will replace DUNS on grant application forms submitted for due dates on or after January 25, 2022. Likewise, any entity seeking to obtain a contract with the federal government will switch to using a UEI instead of DUNS by April 2022.

Implementation Timeline

The transition from DUNS to the UEI system is currently underway. Organizations registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) are already being issued UEI numbers.

• Starting next month, entities registered in eRA Commons will see their UEI populated in the Institutional Profile File.
• Also in October, award recipients’ UEI numbers will populate Page One of Notices of Award. Each grantee’s UEI number will also be transmitted in award data reported to the HHS Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) and USASpending.gov.
• Grant applicants will use a UEI number for applications with intended due dates on or after January 25, 2022.

In April 2022, the federal government will stop using DUNS numbers to identify entities registered in SAM altogether.

For organizations and institutions that do not already have a DUNS number: You still need to register in DUNS to submit a grant application or contract proposal to NIH for due dates earlier than those listed above, respectively. That process is explained at Obtain a DUNS Number. Following the transition date, entities without an identification number will register for a UEI at SAM.gov instead; read “New Process To Obtain a UEI” at Unique Entity Identifier Update.

Read the Guide notice Update: Notification of Upcoming Change in Federal-Wide Unique Entity Identifier Requirements for links to other resources on the implementation process.

Contact Information

Direct any inquiries to NIH’s Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration (OPERA) Systems Policy Branch at OPERAsystemspolicy@nih.gov.