Applying for Grants through Grants.gov
1
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.”
2
CFDA Number
For example, let’s download the application package whose CFDA number is 14.408.
3
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.”
4
Download Instructions
Double check informationto make sure you are Double check information to make sure you 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 toto be notified of any changes to this funding opportunity Submit email address be notified of any changes to to this funding opportunity funding
Download both application instructions (word document) and Download both application instructions (word document) Download both application instructions (word document) andpackage (pdf file) and package (pdf file) package (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, available, it means in paper submission currently will have to but but is still available in paper submission form. So will have to gois but is still available that opportunity is notform. So electronic,to go tostill availableagency orsubmission form. So will have to go to to conduct an agency or funding opportunity search. conduct an in paper 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.
5
Header ApplicationInformation Pre-Filled Package 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.
6
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.
7
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.
8
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.
9
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.
10
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.
11