FAQ and Help
What do you want to do?
- Log onto the Reporting System
- Submit a Report
- Change or Update Information About Your Project
- Find Out About our Grant Programs
- Download or Search for Grant Program Data
- Contact Someone
1. Log onto the Reporting System - [Back to top]
Q: My Project Director said I should have gotten an email from the IRIS system with my login information, but I didn't receive it. What should I do?
A: Please contact your Project Director and verify that he/she has your correct email entered into IRIS. Set your spam filter to allow email from: IRIS_Help_Desk@ed.gov. If you still have not received your login information, please contact the IRIS helpdesk IRIS_Help_Desk@ed.gov with your issue and award number.
A: Please contact your Project Director and verify that he/she has your correct email entered into IRIS. Set your spam filter to allow email from: IRIS_Help_Desk@ed.gov. If you still have not received your login information, please contact the IRIS helpdesk IRIS_Help_Desk@ed.gov with your issue and award number.
Q: What is my login information?
A: Your username is the email address associated with the award you are trying to access. If you do not know your username, please reach out to your project contact.
A: Your username is the email address associated with the award you are trying to access. If you do not know your username, please reach out to your project contact.
Q: Are those 0's or O's in my award number?
A: They are zeros (0). We recommend that you copy and paste the award number from an IRIS-generated email in a secure place. Beware of pasting extra spaces at the beginning and/or end of your username and password.
A: They are zeros (0). We recommend that you copy and paste the award number from an IRIS-generated email in a secure place. Beware of pasting extra spaces at the beginning and/or end of your username and password.
2. Submit a Report - [Back to top]
Q: How do I submit a report?
A: Submit a report by clicking on the Select, View, Submit Report tab. On that page, select the report you wish to submit and click the View Report button (Some programs might not have the option to select report, in which case you should go directly to View/Submit tab). A report with all the information you have entered will display. Click the Submit Report button at the end of the report. A pop-up message will ask you to confirm your submission. Instructions may differ depending on the program, so please review your Help link for specific instructions.
A: Submit a report by clicking on the Select, View, Submit Report tab. On that page, select the report you wish to submit and click the View Report button (Some programs might not have the option to select report, in which case you should go directly to View/Submit tab). A report with all the information you have entered will display. Click the Submit Report button at the end of the report. A pop-up message will ask you to confirm your submission. Instructions may differ depending on the program, so please review your Help link for specific instructions.
Q: I don’t see the Submit button. Why?
A: The Submit button is located at the bottom of your report. Typically, the Submit button will not be available until you have completed all required fields. If you have not completed all the required sections and fields, a link will display at the end of the report directing you to the section with the missing fields. Complete the required information and then the Submit button will appear and you will be able to submit your report by clicking on it.
- If you are a Consortium Lead, you will not be able to submit until your partner(s) have submitted their reports.
- If you are an Additional User, you will not see a Submit button because only the Project Director can submit the report.
A: The Submit button is located at the bottom of your report. Typically, the Submit button will not be available until you have completed all required fields. If you have not completed all the required sections and fields, a link will display at the end of the report directing you to the section with the missing fields. Complete the required information and then the Submit button will appear and you will be able to submit your report by clicking on it.
- If you are a Consortium Lead, you will not be able to submit until your partner(s) have submitted their reports.
- If you are an Additional User, you will not see a Submit button because only the Project Director can submit the report.
Q: What if I don’t understand a specific screen for my report?
A: Log on and click on the Help and User Guide links near the upper part of your screen for further instructions. If you still have a question about the data you are reporting, please reach out to your project contact.
A: Log on and click on the Help and User Guide links near the upper part of your screen for further instructions. If you still have a question about the data you are reporting, please reach out to your project contact.
Q: Can I save a data record without entering all the required data?
A: No. A record will not be saved until all required data has been entered on a screen. The required fields are indicated with a red asterisk (*). An error message will pop up if you click the Save... button and any required fields are not entered. If the error message pops up, the data is not saved.
A: No. A record will not be saved until all required data has been entered on a screen. The required fields are indicated with a red asterisk (*). An error message will pop up if you click the Save... button and any required fields are not entered. If the error message pops up, the data is not saved.
Q: Do I need to complete and submit my report data all at one time?
A: No. The report sections can be completed at any time before the due date.
A: No. The report sections can be completed at any time before the due date.
Q: How can an attachment be deleted or replaced?
A: A delete function does not exist in IRIS. Simply replace the existing attached file with a new one by following the standard procedure for attaching files. IRIS will update your report with the most recently attached file.
A: A delete function does not exist in IRIS. Simply replace the existing attached file with a new one by following the standard procedure for attaching files. IRIS will update your report with the most recently attached file.
Q: Is there a size limit for attachments?
A: Yes. Files larger than 15 MB will cause errors and will not upload to IRIS.
A: Yes. Files larger than 15 MB will cause errors and will not upload to IRIS.
Q: Who can view my submitted report?
A: Institutional reports can be viewed by the Project Director, Additional Users, and by Program Officers for that grant. Fellow or Participant reports can be viewed by the Program Officer. Project Directors and Additional Users can typically view most content in Fellow or Participant reports, but they cannot view program evaluation information unless the Fellow or Participant selects the option to share it with them anonymously.
A: Institutional reports can be viewed by the Project Director, Additional Users, and by Program Officers for that grant. Fellow or Participant reports can be viewed by the Program Officer. Project Directors and Additional Users can typically view most content in Fellow or Participant reports, but they cannot view program evaluation information unless the Fellow or Participant selects the option to share it with them anonymously.
Q: Why do I need to report on my grant through IRIS?
A: IRIS was developed to meet the mandates of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), which requires all federal agencies to develop strategic plans, set goals and objectives for their programs, and to be able to demonstrate that the programs are meeting their legislative purposes. The information submitted is used to (1) ensure that each grantee is in compliance with the Department's requirements; (2) determine if a continuation grant will be issued and the dollar amount that will be allocated to the project; (3) file a final report at the end of a program cycle; (4) evaluate the effectiveness of each program and, collectively, of all IFLE programs; and (5) provide key information for continued Congressional support of the programs.
A: IRIS was developed to meet the mandates of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), which requires all federal agencies to develop strategic plans, set goals and objectives for their programs, and to be able to demonstrate that the programs are meeting their legislative purposes. The information submitted is used to (1) ensure that each grantee is in compliance with the Department's requirements; (2) determine if a continuation grant will be issued and the dollar amount that will be allocated to the project; (3) file a final report at the end of a program cycle; (4) evaluate the effectiveness of each program and, collectively, of all IFLE programs; and (5) provide key information for continued Congressional support of the programs.
Q: Can I see what data is required for future reports?
A: Yes, to view reporting requirements for your grant project, go to the Programs section of the IRIS home page (prior to logging in) and look for your program. Click on the link for Performance Report Templates specific to your role. You can also log onto IRIS and click on the User Guide link to download instructions for the reports.
A: Yes, to view reporting requirements for your grant project, go to the Programs section of the IRIS home page (prior to logging in) and look for your program. Click on the link for Performance Report Templates specific to your role. You can also log onto IRIS and click on the User Guide link to download instructions for the reports.
Q: Why do I need to submit Travel Approval Requests (TARs) through IRIS?
A: You are required to submit a request any time you travel internationally using grant funds. A TAR is reviewed by program officers for the following:
A: You are required to submit a request any time you travel internationally using grant funds. A TAR is reviewed by program officers for the following:
- Is the travel within the project scope and aligned with the objectives?
- Are there any security concerns about traveling to this particular country?
- Should we consult with U.S embassies about this trip?
- Are the flights in compliance with the Fly America Act?
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- The Fly America Act (49 U.S.C. 401118) requires the use of U.S. flag air carrier service for all air travel funded by the U.S. Government, with some exceptions. It is the responsibility of the grantee to be in compliance. Travel data in IRIS is used for reporting purposes (e.g. how many faculty traveled to Argentina in 2009), as well as for coordinating with U.S. embassies and institutions in the event of a natural disaster or a worsening security situation.
3. Change or Update Information About Your Project - [Back to top]
Q: How can I update my email address, mailing address or telephone number in IRIS?
A: Reach out to your project contact for any personal information updates. The IRIS Help Desk cannot update your information.
A: Reach out to your project contact for any personal information updates. The IRIS Help Desk cannot update your information.
Q: I need to make a change to my report, but IRIS will not let me because it has already been submitted.
A: If you need to make changes to your report after it has been submitted, reach out to your project contact to un-submit your report. Once un-submitted you will be able to make the desired changes. The IRIS Help Desk staff cannot un-submit your institution's report.
A: If you need to make changes to your report after it has been submitted, reach out to your project contact to un-submit your report. Once un-submitted you will be able to make the desired changes. The IRIS Help Desk staff cannot un-submit your institution's report.
Q: What if our Project Director changes or an email update is needed?
A: If your Project Director changes, or the existing director’s email changes, contact your Program Officer for assistance. The IRIS Help Desk staff cannot change your Project Director.
A: If your Project Director changes, or the existing director’s email changes, contact your Program Officer for assistance. The IRIS Help Desk staff cannot change your Project Director.
Q: I need someone to assist me with entering in report data. Can they have an account in IRIS?
A: Yes, the Project Director can add others as Additional Users in IRIS. Additional Users have access to all reporting screens and functions except for submitting institutional reports. Project Directors (and Additional Users) can create an Additional User by entering the person’s information on the Additional User page. Program Officers and IRIS Help Desk staff do not create Additional Users.
A: Yes, the Project Director can add others as Additional Users in IRIS. Additional Users have access to all reporting screens and functions except for submitting institutional reports. Project Directors (and Additional Users) can create an Additional User by entering the person’s information on the Additional User page. Program Officers and IRIS Help Desk staff do not create Additional Users.
Q: How can I be added to the Program Officer email list?
A: To receive emails, a grantee must be entered in IRIS as a Project Director, Additional User, Participant, or Fellow. If you don’t believe you are receiving the emails you should be, reach out to your project contact.
A: To receive emails, a grantee must be entered in IRIS as a Project Director, Additional User, Participant, or Fellow. If you don’t believe you are receiving the emails you should be, reach out to your project contact.
Q: I am not receiving mass/group emails from my Project Director. How do I add myself to their list?
A: Please reach out to your Project Director for assistance to verify that your email is listed correctly in the system.
A: Please reach out to your Project Director for assistance to verify that your email is listed correctly in the system.
Q: How can I be removed from the IRIS email list?
A: To stop receiving emails, reach out to your project contact to discuss which email lists you want to be removed from. This will help your project contact determine the best way to adjust your account.
A: To stop receiving emails, reach out to your project contact to discuss which email lists you want to be removed from. This will help your project contact determine the best way to adjust your account.
4. Find Out About our Grant Programs - [Back to top]
Q: How can I find information on applying for a grant?
A: Please go to the OPE IFLE homepage for more information. Click on a specific grant program, and then click on the link for Eligibility to find out who can apply.
A: Please go to the OPE IFLE homepage for more information. Click on a specific grant program, and then click on the link for Eligibility to find out who can apply.
Q: Where can I find more information about the grant programs?
A: Information about our grant programs can be found on the U.S Department of Education’s OPE IFLE page and in the Programs section of the IRIS website. To view information on specific grants or to download grant data, go to the Search section of the IRIS website.
A: Information about our grant programs can be found on the U.S Department of Education’s OPE IFLE page and in the Programs section of the IRIS website. To view information on specific grants or to download grant data, go to the Search section of the IRIS website.
5. Download or Search for Program Data - [Back to top]
Q: How far back can I search?
A: The IRIS database contains published information on grants back to 1959 and information on Fellowships back to 1964. Specifically, it contains information on FLAS Fellows back to 1958, on DDRA Fellows back to 1964, on FRA Fellows back to 2003, on Fulbright-Hays Group Projects participants back to 2004, and on Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad participants back to 2001.
A: The IRIS database contains published information on grants back to 1959 and information on Fellowships back to 1964. Specifically, it contains information on FLAS Fellows back to 1958, on DDRA Fellows back to 1964, on FRA Fellows back to 2003, on Fulbright-Hays Group Projects participants back to 2004, and on Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad participants back to 2001.
Q: Why can’t I view more recent grant data?
A: The IRIS database displays information that has been submitted by grantees in their performance reports. Since a report covers a period of time in the past, there is a lag in reporting. So FY09 data is submitted by grantees in FY10 and shows up in IRIS in January 2011. For four-year grant programs like the National Resource Centers, Centers for International Business Education, and Language Resource Centers, the final year of data may be two years later if they received an extension on their final year of the grant. This means that for FY06 grants, their final year of data in FY09 will not be reported on until January 2011.
A: The IRIS database displays information that has been submitted by grantees in their performance reports. Since a report covers a period of time in the past, there is a lag in reporting. So FY09 data is submitted by grantees in FY10 and shows up in IRIS in January 2011. For four-year grant programs like the National Resource Centers, Centers for International Business Education, and Language Resource Centers, the final year of data may be two years later if they received an extension on their final year of the grant. This means that for FY06 grants, their final year of data in FY09 will not be reported on until January 2011.
Q: How many grants are presently included in IRIS?
A: Currently there are over 8,000 grants in the database.
A: Currently there are over 8,000 grants in the database.
Q: How do I find performance data for specific grant programs?
A: The Download tab (which is located within the search section) of the IRIS website allows you to access performance data submitted for various programs by year. Select the program, year, and report data that you are interested in downloading. Examples include publications, study abroad programs, courses offered, and outreach activities.
A: The Download tab (which is located within the search section) of the IRIS website allows you to access performance data submitted for various programs by year. Select the program, year, and report data that you are interested in downloading. Examples include publications, study abroad programs, courses offered, and outreach activities.
Q: Why is some data missing when I try to download it?
A: Some of the data available in the Download section of the IRIS website may be missing because it may not have been submitted by the grantee. The data is self-reported. Also, some four-year grant programs can get an extension in their final year, which allows them to submit data one year later than usual.
A: Some of the data available in the Download section of the IRIS website may be missing because it may not have been submitted by the grantee. The data is self-reported. Also, some four-year grant programs can get an extension in their final year, which allows them to submit data one year later than usual.
Q: How can I find more information on a particular grant?
A: Each database entry displays a set of contacts for the grant, including the Project Director. For grants that have ended, the Project Director and/or other contacts may no longer be available at the address listed. In this event, you may attempt to contact the department or institution that was awarded the grant and inquire as to where you may find more information.
A: Each database entry displays a set of contacts for the grant, including the Project Director. For grants that have ended, the Project Director and/or other contacts may no longer be available at the address listed. In this event, you may attempt to contact the department or institution that was awarded the grant and inquire as to where you may find more information.
Q: What if I can’t find what I am looking for?
A: If you need performance data on a specific grant or grant program, please contact the Help Desk IRIS_Help_Desk@ed.gov
A: If you need performance data on a specific grant or grant program, please contact the Help Desk IRIS_Help_Desk@ed.gov
Q: Which search function should I use?
- A: The Quick Search option is used to perform simple searches of the grant data. If you are just browsing through the grants, use the Quick Search or Browse Programs options.
- The Advanced Search option allows you to perform customized searches of the grant data. Use this option when you want to see grants that match specific search criteria.
- The Fellow Search option allows you to search Fellows by name, program, world area, fiscal year, institution, language, country, and discipline.
- The Queries option allows you to view summaries of the grant information in the database. For example, if you want to view institutions with the highest number of grants awarded, select the institutions option from the list.
- The Browse Programs tab allows you to view the grants by program, subject area, language, country, or discipline. Select one of these options from the drop-down list. On the results page, click a link to view all the grants that fall under that category. For example, if you select Language from the drop-down list, all languages will display. You can then select a language to view grants that include the language.
6. Contact Someone - [Back to top]
Q: Who is the Program Officer for my grant?
A: Check the list of program officers on the Department of Education’s website. Scroll down to the International and Foreign Language Education section to see the people assigned to specific programs. If you do not get a response from your program officer, you can contact the IRIS Help Desk IRIS_Help_Desk@ed.gov with your award number for assistance.
A: Check the list of program officers on the Department of Education’s website. Scroll down to the International and Foreign Language Education section to see the people assigned to specific programs. If you do not get a response from your program officer, you can contact the IRIS Help Desk IRIS_Help_Desk@ed.gov with your award number for assistance.
Q: How do I contact other grantees?
A: IRIS has a list of grantee contacts on the homepage for the following programs:
A: IRIS has a list of grantee contacts on the homepage for the following programs:
- American Overseas Research Centers
- Business and International Education
- Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships
- Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad
- International Research and Studies
- National Resource Centers
- Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access
- Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language
Q: How do I contact the IRIS Help Desk?
A: To get technical help with IRIS send an email to IRIS_Help_Desk@ed.gov and someone will respond to you within 24 hours (usually sooner). There is no phone number that you can call; the Help Desk is an email-based system. The Help Desk can assist you with technical issues. If you have program-specific questions, please reach out to your project contact.
A: To get technical help with IRIS send an email to IRIS_Help_Desk@ed.gov and someone will respond to you within 24 hours (usually sooner). There is no phone number that you can call; the Help Desk is an email-based system. The Help Desk can assist you with technical issues. If you have program-specific questions, please reach out to your project contact.
Q: How can I suggest improvements in the content or accessibility of this database?
A: We are always looking for suggestions and feedback. Please visit our Contact Us screen to send your suggestion, comment, or question.
A: We are always looking for suggestions and feedback. Please visit our Contact Us screen to send your suggestion, comment, or question.