Grants'gov and the EDA Single Application

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Grants.gov and the EDA Single Application

• December 15, 2008

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Why was the single application developed?

• Prompted by a Congressional mandate that all
  Federal agencies post grant opportunities on
  Grants.gov by Oct. 1, 2006, and allow applicants
  to apply via Grants.gov by Oct. 1, 2007
• -- Grants.gov was designed for a single step
  application process
• -- ED-900A and ED-900P were not in a
  screen-fillable format, which made the process
  cumbersome and particularly difficult for
  applicants without scanners
• -- ED-900A and ED-900P contained many redundant
  questions, especially for non-construction
  applicants

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How does the single application affect the grant
award process?

• No awards can be made based on receipt of
  ED-900P/A after Nov. 1, 2008
• Instead of inviting an application EDA
  determined that a proposed project merits
  further consideration and requests supplementary
  materials, as listed on page 3 of the ED-900

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Find EDA Funding Opportunities on Grants.gov

• Basic Search
• --Can search by CFDA number or FON
• Search by Agency
• --Choose Department of Commerce
• --Click on Agency column heading to sort by
  Agency

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What are applicants options for submitting an
application package?

• Electronic download, completion, and submission
• --Requires Adobe Acrobat version 8.1.2 or higher
  (EDA recommends version 8.1.3) and Grants.gov
  user ID and password
• --Must download package from Grants.gov
• Electronic download and completion and hardcopy
  submission
• --Requires Adobe Acrobat version 8.1.2 or
  higher (EDA recommends version 8.1.3)
• --Must download package from Grants.gov
• Hardcopy completion/submission
• --May download forms from Grants.gov or, in
  extenuating circumstances, request a paper copy
  from the appropriate EDA regional office

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Downloading a Screen-Fillable EDA Application
Package from Grants.gov

• Step 1Go to http//www.grants.gov/applicants/app
  ly_for_grants.jsp
• Step 2Click on Download an Application
  Package (see next slide for screenshot)

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Downloading a Screen-Fillable EDA Application
Package from Grants.gov
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Downloading a Screen-Fillable EDA Application
Package from Grants.gov

• Step 3Enter EITHER the CFDA number or Funding
  Opportunity Number (FON) in the appropriate field
• --If you are unsure of the CFDA or FON, return
  to Grants.govs Find feature at
  http//www07.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_oppo
  rtunities.jsp (see slide 4)
• Step 4Click on the Download Package button
  (see next slide for screenshot)

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Downloading a Screen-Fillable EDA Application
Package from Grants.gov
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Downloading a Screen-Fillable EDA Application
Package from Grants.gov

• Step 5Click on download (see below)

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Downloading a Screen-Fillable EDA Application
Package from Grants.gov

• Step 6Click on Download Application
  Instructions and read these carefully then
  click on Download Application Package (see
  below)

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Downloading a Screen-Fillable EDA Application
Package from Grants.gov

• Step 7Enter an application filing name
  (highlighted in yellow)
• Step 8Click on the first mandatory document and
  then click on the Move Form to Complete arrow
  to move it to Mandatory Documents for
  Submission and then repeat until all mandatory
  documents are in the right-hand box
• Step 9Using the same process (except using the
  lower boxes and arrows), highlight the desired
  optional documents and move them to Optional
  Documents for Submission
• --Select the SF-LLL if you are required to
  complete this form
• --Select the attachments form if you will need
  to attach anything to the application package
  (e.g. extra SF-424s for co-applicants, a Word
  documents with additional narratives, etc.)

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Downloading a Screen-Fillable EDA Application
Package from Grants.gov
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Completing a Screen-Fillable EDA Application
Package from Grants.gov

• Step 10Save the application package to your
  desktop or network
• Step 11--Fill in application package. (Note
  Application questions will vary based on the
  program selected. Mandatory fields are
  highlighted in yellow. You do not need to be
  logged onto the Internet to fill out the
  application on your computer. You do not need a
  Grants.gov user ID and password to complete any
  of steps 1-14.)
• Step 12Scroll to the top and click the Check
  Package for Errors button in order to see a list
  of mandatory fields you have not completed.
• Step 13Address any errors identified and
  re-execute step 12.
• Step 14Print a copy of your application package
  for your records (or if you wish to submit the
  application in hardcopy format) by clicking on
  the Print button.

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Completing a Screen-Fillable EDA Application
Package from Grants.gov
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Submitting a Screen-Fillable EDA Application
Package via Grants.gov

• Step 15Click the Save button and save the
  application package once more to your desktop or
  network.
• Step 16Click the Save Submit button. (Note
  This button will only be active once all
  prerequisite steps have been performed.)
• Step 17When prompted, enter your Grants.gov
  user ID and password.
• Step 18Click Submit.
• Step 19Print out a copy of the confirmation you
  receive for future reference/tracking.

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Submitting a Screen-Fillable EDA Application
Package via Grants.gov
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Obtaining a user ID and password for Grants.gov

• Because it takes 3-5 business days to register,
  applicants should register BEFORE beginning to
  work on the application package
• When registering, applicants should be sure to
  register on behalf of an organization and ensure
  that information provided matches information on
  file with the IRS
• Excellent resources for applicants are available
  at http//www07.grants.gov/tutorials/organization/
  OrgGetRegistered.htm (tutorial) and
  http//www07.grants.gov/assets/OrgRegUserGuide.pdf
  (user guide) and http//www.grants.gov/assets/Org
  anization_Steps_Complete_Registration.pdf
  (checklist)

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Obtaining a user ID and password for Grants.gov

• Registration steps are as follows
• 1. Obtain DUNS
• 2. Register with Central Contractor Registry
  and designate E-biz POC (annual processallow
  1-2 business days)
• 3. Authorized Organization Representatives
  (AORs) register with Credential Provider to
  obtain Grants.gov userid password
• 4. AORs register with Grants.gov
• 5. E-Biz POC approves AOR registrations

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Common problems

• Applicant does not have correct version of Adobe
  Acrobat installed
• --Remedy Uninstall Adobe Acrobat and install
  Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.1.3
• Adobe repeatedly encounters an error and has to
  close
• --Remedy 1Save early and often!
• --Remedy 2Close all other applications/email/et
  c. to free up space
• Applicant has insufficient space in text boxes
• --Remedy Attach Word doc using optional
  Attachments form

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Grants.gov Help Desk

• support_at_grants.gov
• Or
• 1-800-518-4726
• Monday-Friday 7 am to 9 pm Eastern Time (except
  for federal holidays)