Applying for Grants
through Grants.gov
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Download Application
Package
Before you start applying for a grant, make sure you have registered with
Grants.gov and downloaded the necessary software. If you need
information on how to complete these steps, visit the Illinois Resource Net
website.
First, you will need to download an application package. In the navigation
bar on the left hand side of the Grants.gov website, click “Apply for Grants.”
It will take you to the website shown here. Now, fill in the information for one
of the following fields - either the CFDA number, the Funding Opportunity
Number, or the Funding opportunity competition ID - for the application
package of the funding opportunity you would like to apply for.
Then click “Download Package.”
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CFDA Number
For example, let’s download the application package whose CFDA number
is 14.408.
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Download Grant
When using the CFDA number to download an application package, you
may get multiple listings under that number. When downloading the
application package, make sure you are downloading the package you want
to apply for. Once you’ve identified the application package, click
“download.”
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Download Instructions
Double check information to make sure you
Double check informationto make sure you are
check information to make sure you
are downloading the correct application
are downloading the correct application
downloading the correct application
Submit email address to be notified of any changes this funding opportunity
Submit email address be notified of any changes to to this funding opportunity
Submit email address toto be notified of any changes to this funding opportunity
funding
Download both application instructions (word document)
Download both application instructions (word document) and
Download both application instructions (word document)
and package (pdf file)
package (pdf file)
andpackage (pdf file)
(pdf
Note: If “Download Application Instructions/Package” link is not
Note: If “Download Application Instructions/Package” link is not
Instructions/Package”
Note: If it means that opportunity is not currently electronic,
available, “Download Application Instructions/Package” link is not
available, it means that opportunity is not currently electronic,
electronic,
but is still available that opportunity is notform. So electronic,to go
available, it means in paper submission currently will have to but
but is still available in paper submission form. So will have to gois
conduct an in paper funding opportunity search.
tostill availableagency orsubmission form. So will have to go to
to conduct an agency or funding opportunity search.
conduct an agency or funding opportunity search.
This screen will appear once you’ve clicked “download.” Again, check the
information at the top to make sure this is the funding opportunity you want
to apply for.
Before you download the package, enter your email address in the empty
box directly under the funding opportunity information if you want to be
notified of any amendments, that is, changes or updates, to this specific
funding opportunity. This is highly recommended.
Once you’ve entered your email, now you can download both the application
package and instructions. Save the files to your desktop or a location that’s
easy for you to remember.
NOTE: If no download option is available, but the funding opportunity exists,
then it simply means the funding opportunity is still using the paper
submission process and not the electronic Grants.gov submission. In order
to obtain further details regarding that funding opportunity, please go to that
funding opportunity’s federal agency website.
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Package
ApplicationInformation Pre-Filled
Header
from Announcement
All Mandatory Documents for the FOA will
be included in the application package.
Once you’ve downloaded the application package, double click to open the
application and this is what it looks like.
THIS SECTION WILL HAVE TO BE HASHED OUT IN MORE DETAIL. I
DON’T THINK WE NEED TO DO THIS NOW. IT WILL BE IN A
DIFFERENT SECTION, PROBABLY A PPT ALL IT’S OWN.
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Tips to Completing Application
Read and follow Application VERY carefully
Instructions are specific to package
Complete SF-424 Form first
Required fields will be highlighted in yellow
Grants.gov online tutorials, step by step
instructions, and frequently asked questions:
http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp
A few tips to completing the application package:
-Very important note: Read and follow Application Instructions (sponsor
guidelines) VERY carefully!!!
-Application instructions are specific to each application package
-Complete the SF-424 Form first, because it contains fields that will auto
populate onto the other forms within the application package
-Required fields will be highlighted in yellow
-Each agency may have their own requirements not covered by the
Grants.gov validation check, so be sure to follow the application guidelines
specific to the funding opportunity
-Grants.gov online tutorials, step by step instructions, and frequently asked
questions can be found at the website shown here.
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Submission Process - Deadlines
Five (5) business days prior deadline
Deadlines are strict
Corrections due by deadline
Imperative application is submitted with a few
days prior in order to correct errors if
necessary
Submit the application at least five (5) business days prior to the sponsor’s deadline
The Grants.gov website will close the funding opportunity once the deadline has passed.
IMPORTANT: When submitting, if Grants.gov sends the application package back with corrections
needed and corrections are made and resubmitted AFTER the deadline date/time, Grants.gov will
NOT accept the application
And so, it is imperative that the application is submitted with a few days prior in order to correct errors
if necessary.
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Submission Process
Verify ALL institutional information
“Check Package for Errors” in PureEdge
Submit with NO ERRORS
Grants.gov emails:
validation
confirm receipt
tracking number
Grants.gov has an online tutorial for how to
track your application at:
http://www.grants.gov/assets/TrackingYourApplicationPackage.p
df
-Verify that the institutional information within the application is accurate
-Once the application is completed, click the “Check Package for Errors”
button at the top of the application package. This will check the application
package and make sure all the information was entered in correctly.
-With no errors found in the application, submit the application to Grants.Gov
– a Grants.Gov tracking number will be assigned to the application
-You will receive an email with the Grants.gov confirmation along with a copy
of the submitted PureEdge (or Adobe) file
-Depending on the agency, a notification is received advising the agency has
picked up the application package and assigned a sponsor tracking number
-And so, you will typically receive 3 electronic notifications from Grants.gov:
Received, Validated, and Submitted to Grantor Agency
-Grants.gov has an online tutorial for how to track your application at the
website shown here.
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Key Points To Remember
Start your application early!
Visit Grants.gov website
Download PureEdge (or Adobe) Viewer software
Read and Understand the Funding Opportunity
Announcement (FOA) (sponsor guidelines)
Pay attention to software requirements
Pay attention to specific agency requirements
Key points to remember when applying for funding opportunities through
Grants.gov:
Start your application early!
Visit the Grants.gov to search for funding opportunities, download application
packages, necessary software, and also view their online tutorials.
Read and understand the funding opportunity announcement or sponsor
guidelines, paying attention to both the software and specific agency
requirements.
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Next Steps
Grants.gov modules
IRN Web Site
Review the grants.gov checklist
Find more resources
Test your knowledge
Sign up for courses
Having completed this section, you should be well on your way to applying for
funding opportunities via grants.gov. Be sure to review the other grants.gov
modules to increase your chances of success in obtaining federal funding.
The Illinois ResourceNet has many valuable resources including a grants.gov
checklist, quizzes to test your understanding of grants.gov, and additional online
courses.
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