Digitally Signing a PDF
In the age of digital communication, Adobe Acrobat provides us the opportunity to sign documents electronically and have it be as secure and final as signing paper with ink. Once a document is signed with your digital certificate, it cannot be changed without invalidating the signature.
NIH requires an electronic signature on all Other Support submissions beginning on January 25, 2022. All principal investigators and other senior/key personnel must electronically sign the Other Support form, prior to its submission to NIH, certifying that the information is accurate and complete.
UTMB OSP will only accept electronic signatures with a digital certificate and recommends using Adobe to capture these electronic signatures (please see link below). Applicants and recipients (department/PI) must maintain supporting documentation to reasonably authenticate that the appropriate individual signed the form. Recipients must make the documentation available upon request in accordance with 45 CFR Part 75.364. OSP will submit the Other Support documents as a flattened PDF, after all signatures are obtained.