Grants.gov

Step 1 - Find Grant Opportunity For Which You Would Like to Apply
Step 2 - Download Application Package
Step 3 - Register with Central Contractor Registry
Step 4 - Register with Credential Provider
Step 5 - Register with Grants.gov
Step 6 - Logon to Grants.gov

What information will I need to register with Grants.gov?

Registration in Brief:

Your organization will need to obtain a DUNS Number. If your organization doesn't have one, you will need to go to the Dun & Bradstreet website at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform [EXIT Disclaimer] to obtain the number.
Ensure that your organization is registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) at http://www.ccr.gov. If it is not, an authorizing official of your organization must register. You will not be able to move on to Step #3 until this step is completed.
Create a username and password with ORC, the Grants.gov credential service provider. You will need to use your organization's DUNS Number to access the ORC website at https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/OrcRegister
Register with Grants.gov to open an account using the username and password you received from ORC.
The E-Business Point of Contact (POC) at your organization must respond to the registration email from Grants.gov and login at Grants.gov to authorize you as an AOR. Please note that there can be more than one AOR for an organization.
At any time, you can track your AOR status at the Applicant Home Page of Grants.gov by logging in with your username and password.

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Obtaining DUNS Number

Is registering for a DUNS number free of charge?

Yes, registering for the DUNS number is free of charge. Dun & Bradstreet offers additional products and services, which they may suggest that you purchase, however, you do not need to do so for Grants.gov.

Why does my organization have to provide a DUNS number?

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that there is a need for improved statistical reporting of federal grants. OMB has adopted the use of the DUNS number as a way to identify organizations that receive grant awards and to track how grants money is dispersed.

How can I check if my organization already has a DUNS Number?

If you are not sure if your organization already has a DUNS number, first consult your organization's business office, chief financial officer, grant administrator or authorizing official.

What information will I need to obtain a DUNS number?

You will need the following information to request a DUNS number:

Organization name
Organization address
Local telephone number
Name of CEO/Organization owner
Legal structure of the organization
Year the organization started
Primary line of business
Total number of employees

How do I request a DUNS number?

You should ask the chief financial officer, grant administrator or authorizing official of your organization to register for a DUNS number. You can request and register for a DUNS number online via web registration at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do [EXIT Disclaimer]. The process can take up to 48 hours to complete.

As a result of obtaining a DUNS number, you have the option to be included on D&B's marketing list that is sold to other companies. If you do not want your name/organization included on this marketing list, you should request not to be listed when you are speaking with a D&B representative during your DUNS number telephone application.

How can I be removed from Dun & Bradstreet's (D&B) marketing list?

As a result of obtaining a DUNS number you have the option to be included on D&B's marketing list that is sold to other companies. If you do not want your name/organization included on this marketing list, you should request not to be listed when you are speaking with a D&B representative during your DUNS number telephone application.

I am an individual, how can I obtain a DUNS number? How can I register with the CCR?

To apply for a grant you must have a DUNS number and be registered with CCR. DUNS numbers and CCR registration are offered to organizations, but not to individuals. You cannot register with Grants.gov as a sole individual.

To obtain a DUNS number, you should ask the chief financial officer, grant administrator or authorizing official of your organization to register for a DUNS number. You can request and register for a DUNS number online via web registration at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do [EXIT Disclaimer]. The process can take up to 48 hours to complete.

To register with CCR: (See Question What do I need to Register with CCR for more details below)

1. Go to the CCR website www.ccr.gov
2. Click the Start New Registration link
3. Complete the Registration Worksheet
4. Complete the Registration Acknowledgement and Point of Contact Information

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Registering for Grants

What do I need to register with CCR?

Before registering with CCR, you should make sure that you have a DUNS number. You also need to ensure that your registration with the IRS for your Employment Identification Number (EIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is confirmed. Once you receive a letter from the IRS confirming your EIN or TIN, you may proceed with registration in CCR. Please note it will take 24-48 hours for IRS to validate your TIN. According to the IRS, when applying for an EIN over the phone or Internet, you will be given a temporary EIN, but your EIN may not become active for up to two (2) weeks. If you have questions about your EIN, please call 1-800-829-4933. If you apply for an EIN by mail, confirmation from the IRS can take up to 5 weeks. In addition, you should review the Tutorial topic "Registering with CCR" for more details about some of the information you will be required to provide.

Why do I need to register with CCR?

CCR is a government-wide registry for vendors doing business with the federal government. Grants.gov uses CCR to establish roles and IDs for those electronically applying for grants.

How do I register with CCR?

To register with CCR:

1. Go to the CCR website http://www.ccr.gov
2. Click the Register in CCR link
3. Click the New button on the left side of the page
4. Enter your DUNS number at the bottom of the page and click Submit
5. Follow the instructions and complete necessary forms

Is there anything I should do before registering with CCR?

If your organization already has an Employment Identification Number (EIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), then you should allow one to two business days to complete the CCR registration. If your organization does not have an EIN or TIN, then you should allow two weeks for obtaining the information from IRS when requesting the EIN or TIN via phone or Internet.

How long should I allow for a CCR registration?

All 'individuals' who are sole proprietors who desire to do business with the Federal Government are considered 'Sole Proprietors' for the purposes of registration in CCR.

CCR registration is NOT required for an Individual Grantee Registration

What is a MPIN? Where can I locate or assign my MPIN?

A Marketing Partner ID (MPIN) is a personal code that you create and register in CCR. The MPIN also allows you to access other government applications such as the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS), FedBizOpps and FedTeDS. The MPIN acts as your password in these other systems, and you should guard it as such. You make up the code and register it in CCR. The MPIN must have 9 digits containing at least one alpha character and one number (no spaces or special characters permitted).

If you do not have an MPIN, but do have an active registration in CCR, all you need to do in order to create an MPIN is to enter the information for the Government Business POC (this includes the actual MPIN). You can access your registration by going to the CCR Homepage, clicking on "Register in CCR," then "Update/Renew," then "CCR Update TPIN." Remember to have your TPIN ready. Once you have logged in, click on the "Points of Contact" tab. Scroll down to "Government Business POC" and complete all the fields including the MPIN and email address. Your registration will take approximately 24 hours to update. Please note that the MPIN location is at the bottom of the page, not within the Government Business POC.

If you are not registered in CCR and need an MPIN, please view the CCR Handbook [EXIT Disclaimer] for instructions on what is needed for registration and details on how to register.

If you need individual help in finding your MPIN, you can reach the CCR help desk at 1-888-227-2423 or 269-961-5757 (DSN: 661-5757) internationally.

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Finding Grant Opportunities

Where can I find grant opportunities?

To locate a grant opportunity, use the search options available on the Find Grant Opportunities page. Complete your search and click the Submit button. The results will display all applicable grants.

Do I need to complete all of the fields on the search screen to find a grant?

No, you only need to complete one field to search for a grant, however, we suggest that you complete as many as possible.

How do I register to receive email notifications of new grant postings from Grants.gov?

You can sign-up to receive email notifications about new grant opportunity email notifications from Grants.gov by clicking one of the subscription services available on the Find Grant Opportunities page. Once you have selected the option that best meets your search criteria, just complete the necessary fields on the sign-up screen.

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Applying for Grant Opportunites

How do I apply for a grant?

Locate a grant opportunity for which you want to apply and record the opportunity's Funding Opportunity Number and/or CFDA Number.

When you are ready to apply, complete the following steps:

Step 1 - Download the Application Package
Step 2 - Complete the Application Package
Step 3 - Submit the Application Package

For more details on how to apply for a grant go to the Resources page and click on User Guide. http://www.grants.gov/resources/training_materials.jsp

What do I need to record from an opportunity search in order to apply for an opportunity?

You will need to record the Funding Opportunity Number and/or CFDA Number of an opportunity for which you want to apply.

Where can I find the Funding Opportunity or CFDA Number for a grant?

To locate a Funding Opportunity or CFDA Number, you will need to perform a search for a grant. Use the search options available on the Find Grant Opportunities page. Complete your search and click the Submit button. The results will display all applicable grants. The Funding Opportunity Number is listed on the "Search Results" screen and the CFDA Number is listed in the Grant Announcement.

As an individual, how can I apply for federal or state grants, assistance, or benefits?

First, it is important to realize the difference between organizational and individual grant applicants.

An organizational grant applicant is defined as an applicant who is submitting a grant on behalf of a company, state, local or tribal government, academia, or other type of organization.

An individual grant applicant is defined as an applicant who is submitting a grant on their behalf, and not on behalf of a company, state, local or tribal government, academia, or other type of organization. An individual grant applicant can now use Grants.gov to search and apply for, as well as to submit grants.

Why must I download the application package?

Downloading the application package provides you the ability to complete the forms offline at your leisure and to distribute it around your organization to others who may assist you in preparing the application.

How can my organization submit an electronic grant application on Grants.gov?

To submit electronic grant applications, you must be fully authorized by your organization, i.e., been given status as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). For complete details on how to apply for grants online go to the APPLY FOR GRANTS page: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp

You can easily check your status by logging into Grants.gov by accessing the Applicant section of the site. If you have registered your username and password with Grants.gov, you will be able to log in. After logging in, access the Manage Profile link. Your status, located below your title, will state: “AOR - request sent” or "AOR - approved." If your status is 'AOR - request sent', you cannot yet submit grant applications. You may correct this by contacting your E-Business Point of Contact (POC). He or she will need to login by accessing the E-Biz POC page under Get Registered. They will need your organization's DUNs number and MPIN, to approve you as an AOR.

When I click the Download Application Package link I get a pop up window asking me which application to open it with. How do I download the application?

This message indicates you have not downloaded the appropriate software to open your form.

Grants.gov is currently in a transition period, phasing out Pure Edge forms and moving to Adobe Reader forms. At this time, Grants.gov has application packages of both types.

Before you can view and complete an application package, you must have the PureEdge viewer and compatible version of Adobe Reader installed. Application packages may be in either PureEdge or Adobe Reader format and applicants are encouraged to have both. Click here to download the required PureEdge Viewer and Adobe Reader if you do not have it installed already.

After verifying you have the PureEdge Viewer and compatible version of Adobe Reader downloaded and installed, begin the download application package process. When you are downloading the application, it may take a couple of minutes due to the number of forms that are in the package. The download speed may also take longer if you are using a dial-up Internet connection as opposed to a high-speed Internet connection. Please be patient. The package will open in the PureEdge viewer and or Adobe Reader automatically. After the package opens, you can save it to your computer and continue to work on the package without being connected to the Internet.

Can I decide where I want to save the application package on my computer?

Yes, during the download process you will be prompted to select where you want the application forms to be saved on your computer.

How do I attach documents to my application?

When you want to attach a document to your application:

1. Click the name of the required document and then click the Open Form button on the cover page of the application.
2. Click the Add button.
3. Click the Attach button.
4. Browse to the file that you want to attach on your computer.
5. Click the Attach button.

Why did I receive an error message when I entered something into a field on an application form?

You will receive an error message if you enter invalid or incomplete information in a field on an application form.

Why can't I enter my congressional district in "Question 14 a.)" in the Standard Form 424 Cover Sheet (SF-424 Cover Sheet)?

"Question 14 a.)" only allows an applicant to enter in the number for their district. If you are attempting to enter any letters or special characters, the box will not allow you to enter that information. Please use numbers for that box.

Why can't I enter in the financial information in Section 15 on the SF-424 Coversheet?

If you are having problems entering information into Section 15, try using the tab to skip into the fields rather than attempting to use your mouse to click into the field. You should be able to access the box and enter information by hitting tab.

I've completed a form, but don't see a Save button at the top of the screen. Will I lose all of the information I entered when I exit the form?

An application package is similar to a file, made up of the cover page and (possibly) many forms. Data at the form level will be retained when you close a form. Although your data at the form level will be saved, your application package file WILL NOT be saved unless you actually save the file before closing it down.

Why doesn't the Submit button work on my application?

The Submit button will not become active until the application has been completed and saved. In order to complete your application to submit it you may also click the Check for Errors button to ensure there are no errors. Check to make sure there are no remaining yellow fields (indicating a mandatory field) on any forms. If there are, you will need to complete those fields. Finally, make sure you have saved your application.

Note: If the Submit button is still not active please check to be sure you have completed the actions listed below.

1. All mandatory fields in all mandatory forms have been completed and moved to the Mandatory Completed Documents for Submission box.
2. The Save button has been clicked AFTER all documents have been moved to the Mandatory Completed Documents for Submission box.
3. All mandatory fields in all optional forms that have been moved to the Optional Completed Documents for Submission box have been completed.
4. Click the Check for Errors button.

What does the Check for Errors button do on the application?

The Check for Errors button, on the application, finds errors that prevent your application from being processed. A Check for Errors button is available for use on the application. Click this button to be directed to where an error is located in the current application.

Some common errors are listed below.

All mandatory fields (yellow fields or fields with an asterisk next to them) have not been completed.
Email field(s) are not formatted properly, (ex. name@domain.something), or the date fields have not been completed in their specific format (ex. mm/dd/yyyy).
The congressional districts field on the SF424 is not listed in numerical format.
All forms that have data in them, (even optional forms) have not been moved over to the right.
Save button was not clicked one last time, allowing the Submit button to become active.

Why do I need to login to submit an application?

You need to login to submit an application so that Grants.gov can authenticate that you are authorized to submit applications. Only Authorized Organization Representatives (AORs) are able to submit applications to Grants.gov.

AORs must register with a Credential Provider so that Grants.gov can verify that they are who they say they are. Then, the person listed as the point of contact on the agency's CCR registration (the E-Business Point of Contact) must assign the "Agency Applicant" role in order for the person to be designated as an AOR. Once designated as an AOR, the AOR must register with Grants.gov. Only after completing all of these steps, will a person be able to submit an application.

I am attempting to login and have confirmed I am using the correct username and password. Why am I receiving a message stating that I am using the wrong username and password?

It could be that you are using the wrong case. All Grants.gov usernames and passwords are case sensitive. Check to be sure that you are typing both your username and password exactly as you created them with regard to upper case and lower case characters. Also, make sure that your "Caps Lock" is turned off.

Do I have to submit a complete application, or may I send it in parts?

No, you must submit the complete application.

What happens if I submit my application on the date that the application is due, but it is submitted after the agency's filing deadline time?

Grants.gov will acknowledge the receipt of your application. Your application may or may not be accepted and processed by the federal agency, depending on the policy of that particular agency. To determine that policy, contact the agency directly with the contact information provided in the application instructions.

How can I submit my application if there is a Grants.gov system outage on the day of the application deadline?

If there is a system outage on the day of the application deadline, some agencies may specify to print your application and mail it to the address provided by the federal agency soliciting applications. However, you should refer to the competition notice of the grant for specific instructions and contact the agency directly to find out more information.

What should I do if my registration isn't complete by the submission deadline?

You should contact the agency point of contact listed on the grant opportunity to discuss that agency's policy. Grants.gov recommends all potential grant applicants complete the registration process as early as possible to avoid deadline issues. It takes 3-5 business days to complete the registration process necessary to submit a grant application. For additional guidance, refer to our Registration Brochure Adobe PDF .

I am receiving an error message stating: "You are not an authorized submitter for your organization." What can I do to correct this?

Ensure your E-Biz point of contact gave you authorization to submit on behalf of your organization. You may also check this yourself by logging into the applicant section of Grants.gov. Click on the Manage Applicant Profile link. Your AOR status is located directly below your title.

Can you apply for earmark grants on Grants.gov?

Yes, you can apply for earmark grants on Grants.gov if the granting agency has published a grant application package.

Are Microsoft Office 2007 documents acceptable as attachments to grant application packages submitted to Grants.gov?

Yes, while using the compatible versions of Adobe Reader, Grants.gov is compatible with all Microsoft Office 2007 files. Please refer to the instructions on the application package to ensure agency compatibility.

While using the PureEdge viewer, the 2007 version of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) as a default saves documents in a new format that is NOT compatible with Grants.gov. Grants.gov cannot process Microsoft Office 2007 documents saved in the new format with the extensions of (".DOCX", ".XLSX", ".PPTX") at this time. When submitting attachments created with Microsoft Office applications to Grants.gov, please ensure that attachments are saved using "Save As" and select the "97-2003" format. The following table lists the application and the acceptable file format:

Microsoft Office 2007 Application	Save As	Acceptable File Extension

Word	Word 97-2003 Document	.DOC
Excel	Excel 97-2003 Workbook	.XLS
PowerPoint	PowerPoint 97-2003 Presentation	.PPT

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please email the Contact Center at support@grants.gov or call 1-800-518-4726.

How can I find my congressional district code?

Finding your Congressional District Code information is quick and easy to do. Visit: The Congressional Directory or http://www.house.gov/ to search for your Congressional District by entering your zip code + 4. If you do not know your zip code + 4 you may look it up by visiting: http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp.

Congressional Code format - 2 character State Abbreviation - 3 character District Number. Examples: CA-005 for California's 5th district, CA-012 for California's 12th district. Use 00-000 for programs/projects outside the US.

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Tracking an Applications Submission

How do I know that my application has been received by Grants.gov?

Once Grants.gov has received your submission, Grants.gov will send email messages to advise you of the progress of your application through the system. Over the next two business days, you should receive two emails. The first will confirm receipt of your application by the Grants.gov system and the second will indicate that the application has either been successfully validated by the system prior to transmission to the grantor agency or has been rejected due to errors. You can check the status of your application(s) anytime after submission, by clicking on the Applicant login link on the right side in the blue box of any Grants.gov page. After you login click on then "Check Application Status" link on the left menu.

How do I know if the grantor agency has retrieved my application?

If your application is successfully validated and subsequently retrieved by the grantor agency from the Grants.gov system, you will receive an additional email. This email may be delivered several days or weeks from the date of submission, depending on when the grantor agency retrieves it. Note that once the grantor agency has retrieved your application from Grants.gov, you will need to contact them directly for any subsequent status updates. Grants.gov does not participate in making any award decisions.

How can I check a submitted application's status?

You may monitor the processing status of your submission within the Grants.gov system by using the following steps:

Go to http://www.grants.gov
Click on the Applicants Login link in the blue box on the right side of the page
Login to the system using your AOR user ID and password
Click on the Check Application Status link at the top left of your screen.

What do I do if I have not received grant receipt confirmation within two business days?

If you do not receive a receipt confirmation AND either a validation confirmation or a rejection email message within two business days, please contact us. The Grants.gov contact center can be reached by email at support@grants.gov, or by telephone at 1-800-518-4726. Always include your Grants.gov tracking number in all correspondence. The tracking numbers issued by Grants.gov look like GRANTXXXXXXXX. Contact center hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.

How will I know if my application is rejected with Grants.gov's system? What should I do if my application is rejected with Grants.gov's system?

If an application is rejected in our system, you will receive an email notification telling you that it has been rejected and the reason for the rejection. You may also monitor the processing status of your submission with the Grants.gov system by logging into Grants.gov. Once you have logged in with your username and password, click "Check Application Status" to get a list of all of the applications you have submitted. The list will have the latest status on all of your submissions, including the ones that have been rejected. Click on the link regarding the rejection to find out why the application had been rejected.

If your application is rejected you will need to address the errors and resubmit the application if the opportunity is still open for submission. Here are four common reasons an application may be rejected:

The DUNS number of the submitter does not match the DUNS number on the application.
A virus was detected in a file attachment.
The application was submitted after the deadline for receiving applications.
The submitter does not have an authorized Grants.gov applicant registration

For help troubleshooting errors, access Error Tips Adobe PDF .

Note: Your application will not be received by the agency of which you are applying for until the application is approved with the Grants.gov system.

What do I need in order to check the status of an application I submitted and the agency has downloaded the application?

If the agency assigns an agency-specific tracking number, you will receive an email regarding that number. This is the number you should use when speaking to the federal agency. If there is no agency-specific tracking number, retain your Grants.gov tracking number in order to refer to it once it has been downloaded by the agency. After the agency has downloaded the application, you will receive any future updates regarding your application from the federal agency.

Where do I get the tracking number for an application I submitted?

The tracking number for a submitted application will be provided in the confirmation email that you receive within two business days after you submit the application. In case you do not receive the confirmation email, you can also follow these steps to track your submitted application:

Go to Grants.gov
Click on the Applicants Login link in the blue box on the right side of the page
Login to the system using your AOR user ID and password
Click on the Check Application Status link at the top left of your screen.

What do the application statuses mean?

The following are descriptions of the application statuses:

A status of Received indicates that Grants.gov has received the application, but the application is awaiting validation.
A status of Validated indicates that Grants.gov validated the application and it is available for the agency to download.
A status of Received by Agency indicates that the agency has confirmed receipt of the application package.
A status of Agency Tracking Number Assigned indicates that the agency has assigned an internal tracking number to your application. This is the last status that Grants.gov tracks. Updates beyond this must be checked with the agency directly. Note: All agencies do not assign tracking numbers. If you do not see an agency tracking number, this does not infer that the agency did not receive or process your application. The assignment of tracking numbers is based on the policy of a particular agency.
A status of Rejected with Errors indicates that Grants.gov was unable to process your application because of an error(s) and cannot accept the application until you correct the error(s) and successfully resubmit the application. You will receive email notification with information on how to address the error(s).

When submitting an application, what is the difference between a submission receipt and a submission validation?

The difference between a submission receipt and a submission validation is after an applicant submits and application, Grants.gov generates a submission receipt via email and also sets the application status to ?Received?. This receipt verifies the application has been successfully delivered to the Grants.gov system.

Next, Grants.gov verifies the submission is valid by ensuring it does not contain viruses, the opportunity is still open, and the applicant login and applicant DUNS number match. If the submission is valid, Grants.gov generates a submission validation receipt via email and sets the application status to "Validated".

If the application is not validated, the application status is set to "Rejected". The system sends a rejection email notification to the applicant and the applicant must resubmit the application package.

At any time, you may check the status of your application under the Applicant section. If you have additional questions, the Grants.gov contact center can be reached by email at support@grants.gov or by telephone at 1-800-518-4726.

I submitted an application that is not in my queue and the agency has not received it yet. Where is my application?

If more than one attachment is included in a grant submission and two or more files have the same name, the grant application cannot be processed without manual intervention. To correct this, you should:

Rename attached files with the same name so that no files share the same name.
Reattach the files.
Resubmit the application package.

If you have not attached two or more files with the same name, contact the Grants.gov contact center by email at support@grants.gov, or by telephone at 1-800-518-4726.

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E-Biz POC

Who is the E-Business Point of Contact?

The E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) is identified by the organization when they register with the CCR. When a user registers with Grants.gov, the CCR E-Business Point of Contact person will be notified via email that someone from their organization has requested Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) privileges. (An AOR privilege allows a user to submit an application on behalf of the organization.) The CCR E-Business Point of Contact person will logon to Grants.gov and determine if the user should be granted AOR privileges. The CCR E-Business Point of Contact will notify the user once privileges have been assigned. Until the user is granted AOR privileges, they cannot submit an application.

How do I access the E-Business Point of Contact login?

Follow the instructions below to access the E-Business Point of Contact login.

Go to the Login as an E-Biz POC in the Quick Links on the right side of the screen on any Grants.gov page.
This brings you to the E-Business Point of Contact screen. From here, click the Login Here button located in the E-Business Point of Contact login box.
Enter your DUNS Number and MPIN.
Click the Login button to login to the Grants.gov system.

Why can't I log into the E-Biz POC section of Grants.gov ?

If this is your first time logging into the E-Biz POC section of Grants.gov, make sure that someone has already registered to become an AOR for your organization. You will not be able to log into the E-Biz POC section of Grants.gov until one AOR has completed both the Credential Provider and Grants.gov registrations. If someone has already registered to become an AOR for your organization, verify that the DUNS and MPIN numbers you entered are correct.

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Software/Technical/Downloads

Is Grants.gov compatible with Mac OS X Leopard?

Mac OS X Leopard is compatible with Adobe Reader; however it is NOT compatible with PureEdge Viewers certified for use with Grants.gov.

There are currently three options to apply for grants with PureEdge packages that are explained below.

The three options available to apply for grants using PureEdge Viewer software are:

Download a MAC compatible PureEdge version:
Click Here to download IBM Workplace Forms (PureEdge) Viewer for Macintosh
Use a Citrix Server Connection. Click here to view more information on using Citrix .
Use "BootCamp", a program that is included with your Leopard OS X free of charge. "Boot Camp" gives you a choice after booting up your Mac to run a Windows Operating System and programs normally incompatible with a Mac Operating System (i.e. PureEdge). Click here [EXIT Disclaimer] for more information on Boot Camp.

Click here for system requirements for PureEdge Viewer for Macintosh users.

IBM does not have any scheduled updates for the PureEdge Viewer at this time.

Click here to download the compatible version of Adobe Reader for free.

Can I use my MAC operating system to complete a Grants.gov Adobe Reader application package?

Grants.gov supports the use of MAC OS 10.4.3 or higher to complete Adobe Reader application packages. If you have a MAC operating system that is 10.4.3 or higher, you must download or ensure you have the Grants.gov compatible version of Adobe Reader for free to submit a Grants.gov application package.

MAC users with earlier operating systems (less than 10.4.3) may still be able to submit an Adobe Reader application package; however Grants.gov does not guarantee a successful submission while using the earlier MAC operating system versions. View the table below for more information on MAC OS compatibility with Grants.gov.

MAC OS Compatibility Table

Adobe Reader 8.1.2	Intel MAC OS 10.4.4
Adobe Reader 8.1.2	PowerPC MAC OS 10.4.3
Adobe Reader 7.0.9 *	PowerPC MAC OS 10.2.8

* Grants.gov does not guarantee to support the use of any Adobe Reader software version other than the Grants.gov compatible version of Adobe Reader.

Is my operating system compatible with Grants.gov?

See table for system compatibility standard:

Computer	Operating System	Forms Program	Compatible	May Use System with Citrix Server Connection
Mac	Tiger	IBM Workplace Forms Viewer	Yes
Mac	Tiger	PureEdge Viewer	No	Yes
Mac	Tiger	Adobe Reader 8.1.2	Yes
Mac	Leopard	IBM Workplace Forms Viewer	No	Yes
Mac	Leopard	Adobe Reader 8.1.2	Yes
PC	WINXP	PureEdge Viewer	Yes
PC	WINXP	Adobe Reader 8.1.2	Yes
PC	Vista	IBM Workplace Forms Viewer	No	Yes
PC	Vista	PureEdge Viewer	No	Yes
PC	Vista	Adobe Reader 8.1.2	Yes

How can I tell which type of form an application package contains?

There are two options available to you to verify the type of form you are using:

Option 1. If you are viewing the application package through an internet browser , check the address or URL in your browser's toolbar. If the address ends with .xfd, the package contains PureEdge forms. If the address ends with .pdf, the package contains Adobe Reader forms.

Option 2. If you are using your computer's file management utility (Windows or Mac explorer) to view a saved application package file on your computer. If the filename has an extension of XFD (example: package1.xfd) then the application package contains forms that use PureEdge.

I've downloaded the PureEdge Viewer, but it did not automatically begin to install. What should I do?

If the installation did not start automatically, locate the file that you downloaded on your computer and open it. This will launch the installation.

How do I reset my Operational Research Consultants (ORC) password?

ORC passwords can be reset online at http://www.e-auth.orc.com [EXIT Disclaimer]. Follow the instructions below to reset your ORC password.

From the E-Authentication home page, place your mouse over the User Administration link.
Click Edit Password from the drop down list.
Follow the instructions to reset your password.

Does Grants.gov support Non-Windows users?

Adobe Reader: Yes, Non-Windows users can use Grants.gov just like other users. Adobe Reader is compatible with most operating systems.

PureEdge Viewer: If you do not have a Windows operating system, you will need to:

Download a compatible version of PureEdge ( For MAC Users ):
Click Here to download IBM Workplace Forms (PureEdge) Viewer for Macintosh
Use a Windows Emulation program such as Citrix. (For All Non-Windows Users)

Non-Windows operating system users will need to use a Windows emulation program (Citrix).

Non-Windows Support for PureEdge (Citrix)
A Citrix server connection allows Non-Windows users to remotely launch a Windows session on their own machines by using the free Citrix client application. While connected to the server, Non-Windows users can develop their grant application using PureEdge forms. Applicants will need to download and install the free Citrix client application in order to work on the SF424 (R&R) application package with the specific grant for which they are applying.

While connected to the Citrix server, the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR)/Signing Official (SO) can submit the application via Grants.gov.

Please review the PureEdge Support for Non-Windows users page for additional information.

What if there are more than five Non-Windows users in the organization?

For large number of users, organizations may want to explore using a Server based solution to allow any number of Non-Windows users to run PureEdge. This has the advantage that end-users do not have to install any software except a free utility called Remote Desktop Connection [EXIT Disclaimer] available from Microsoft. The downside is that a dedicated Server machine is required that runs either Windows Terminal Server or Citrix. Users can create and make changes to their applications, however they will need a Windows PC to submit their application.

I can log in to Grants.gov from other computers, but cannot login from my own. What is the reason for this?

You must have cookies enabled on your computer. If cookies are blocked on your computer, then you will not be able to log on to Grants.gov.

I'm using a dial-up connection to upload and submit my application. It appears to be taking a long time and sometimes it is timing out. How can I fix this?

When using a dial-up connection to upload and submit your application, it can take significantly longer than when you are connected to the Internet with a high-speed connection, e.g. cable modem/DSL/T1. While times will vary depending upon the size of your application, it can take a few minutes to a few hours to complete your grant submission using dial up.

Note: Please limit the file size of your application package to less than 4 gigabytes when uploading and submitting your application. If you are experiencing difficulty when submitting your application, try submitting from a high speed connection or contact the Grants.gov contact center by email at support@grants.gov, or by telephone at 1-800-518-4726.

Why am I not receiving email notifications about grants I submitted or changes in my AOR status?

If you are not receiving email notifications about grants you submitted or changes to your AOR status, Grants.gov may not have your correct email address. To verify your email address on the Grants.gov system, follow the steps below.

Click on the Applicant Login link on the right side menu on any Grants.gov webpage.
Once on the Login page login with your username and password .
On the left navigation click Manage Applicant Profile.
Verify your email address.
If your email address is correct, click Cancel. If it is not, enter your correct email address in the appropriate field and click Submit.

If your email address is correct, please read on. Many organizations have firewalls that have the ability to block emails from certain addresses. Check with your system administration to verify emails from support@grants.gov are not being blocked. It has also come to our attention that some automatically generated email notifications from Grants.gov can be blocked by large email providers, such as AOL or Hotmail, as SPAM.

If you are using an email provider, you may want to investigate options to set up your inbox preferences to allow emails from our two email addresses: support@grants.gov and DoNotReply@grants.gov.

Can I use Firefox browser on Grants.gov?

Internet Explorer is the recommended browser. Errors may be experienced with Firefox. Click here to down Internet Explorer.

Please see the Download Software for more information on supported browsers and platforms for optimal use of Grants.gov.

What is the maximum amount of characters I can use in the following fields: "Enter name of Organization" on the Research & Related Budget - Section A & B form and "Organization Name" on the Research & Related Senior/Key Person (Expanded) form?

You can only use 60 or less characters in the above form fields. There is an anomaly in the PureEdge forms that allows you to enter up to 75 characters, but it actually gets cut to 60 characters and this causes processing delays when validating at Grants.gov.

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Adobe Reader

Why did I receive an error when I opened the application package I downloaded OR received from another user, telling me I have an incompatible version of Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader?

You received the error page because your application package was opened with software that is not compatible with Grants.gov. The compatible version of Adobe Reader is required for viewing, editing and submitting a complete grant application package to Grants.gov. Any and all edits made to the Adobe Reader application package must be made with the compatible version of Adobe Reader. Grants.gov does not guarantee to support versions of Adobe Reader that are not compatible with Grants.gov.

*Please note: Adobe Acrobat version 8 is compatible if it has been updated to the latest released version, click here to verify your Adobe Reader or Acrobat Standard or Professional Software version is compatible with Grants.gov. For more information on Adobe Acrobat and Grants.gov compatibility, see FAQ: Can I use Adobe Acrobat Standard or Professional to complete and submit an Adobe Reader application package with Grants.gov?

The compatible version of Adobe Reader is available to download for free on the Grants.gov website. Please see below for other Adobe Reader related FAQs.

Can I use Adobe Acrobat Standard or Professional to complete and submit an Adobe Reader application package with Grants.gov?

If you have already installed the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Standard or Professional software you have installed on your computer you can open, complete and submit an Adobe Reader application package to Grants.gov.

Adobe Acrobat software allows you to perform all tasks performed by the corresponding version of Adobe Reader software. The version number of Adobe Acrobat (Standard or Professional) software and Adobe Reader software that perform the same tasks have matching version numbers (i.e. Adobe Reader 8.1.2, parallels Acrobat Standard or Professional 8.1.2 viewing function). To complete a Grants.gov application package you must either install the Grants.gov compatible version of Adobe Reader for free or have an equivalent version of Acrobat Standard or Professional software already installed on your computer.

To check which version of Acrobat you are using go to the Help menu in Acrobat then select About Acrobat (version #), a text box will appear containing an Adobe logo with a number, under that information you will see another number, this is the version number of your software (i.e. 8.1.2).

Or click here to verify your Adobe Reader or Acrobat Standard or Professional Software version is compatible with Grants.gov.

If you have an earlier version of Acrobat or you are unsure which Acrobat or Adobe Reader software version you are using, you may download the Grants.gov compatible version of Adobe Reader for free and use it instead of Acrobat to complete your Grants.gov application package. See the FAQ below for instructions on using Adobe Reader instead of Acrobat without changing your computer settings.

I already have an earlier version of Adobe Acrobat software on my computer and it will not allow me to update its Adobe Reader to the Grants.gov compatible version, what can I do?

If you are using an earlier version of Adobe Acrobat (Standard or Professional) (i.e Acrobat 7) or have installed Acrobat 8, but you are unable to update your software to the latest version; download the compatible version of Adobe Reader software from the Grants.gov website for free. The two programs may be downloaded and used separately, by following the steps below:

How to do this will vary with each user's installation of the Operating System.

Step 1: To check that you are using the compatible version of Adobe Reader, go to the Help menu in Acrobat then select About Acrobat (version #), a text box will appear containing an Adobe logo with a number, under that information you will see another number, this is the version number of your software (i.e. 8.1.2)

Step 2:

If using Windows:

Verify the correct version of Adobe Reader is installed on your computer
Close any web browsers, PDF documents or files that were opened using Acrobat.
Wait approximately 30 seconds.
Right click the Windows Start button
Select Explore
From the Windows Explore menu, click Tools, Folder Options
Click on the tab "File Types"
Locate application package (PDF) in the "Registered file types" and highlight it
Click Change
Choose "Select the Program from a List"
Select Adobe Reader 8.1.1 or 8.1.2 from the list
Note: This list displays only as Adobe 8.1.1 or 8.1.2 be sure you have verified version in Step 1 above
Check "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file"
Click Ok

If using Vista:

Verify the correct version of Adobe Reader is installed on your computer
Close any web browsers, PDF documents or files that were opened using Acrobat.
Wait approximately 30 seconds.
Click the Start button
Select Control Panel
Select Programs
Under Default Programs, select "Make a file type always open in a specific program"
Locate PDF in the "Set Associations" window, and select it
Click Change Program button
Choose "Select the Program from a List"
Select Adobe Reader 8.1.1 or 8.1.2 from the list
Note: This list displays only as Adobe Reader 8.1.1 or 8.1.2 be sure you have verified version in Step 1 above
Check "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file"
Click Ok

If using MAC:

Verify the correct version of Adobe Reader is installed on your computer
Close any web browsers, PDF documents or files that were opened using Acrobat.
Wait approximately 30 seconds.
Click the Finder button
Select and click on a PDF file
Select "Get Info" under the File Menu
Use "Open With:" to change the default application
Locate Adobe in the programs list and select it
Click on Change All button

I have set Adobe Reader as my default, but I am still having issues submitting my Adobe Reader package what should I do?

Check your computer's settings, make sure that the compatible version of Adobe Reader, is set as your default application viewer.

For instructions on setting Adobe Reader as your default viewer, please review the FAQ:

How can I ensure I am using Adobe Reader to work on my application package?

If you are sure that the compatible version of Adobe Reader is set as your default application viewer, check the settings within Adobe Reader and set www.grants.gov as a trusted website by completing the following steps:

Open Adobe Reader
Go to "Preferences" option
Select "Trust Manager" option
In the "Internet access from PDF files outside the web browser " option select "Change Settings"
Select the option "Let me specify list of allowed websites "
Enter www.grants.gov and select "Allow"

Once you have verified the preferences described above are set, submit the completed application package.

What are some of the common errors received when using unsupported Adobe Reader versions and Adobe Acrobat Professional?

If you have received one of the following error messages, please verify that the package has not been opened or edited with any software other than the compatible versions of Adobe Reader.

Error Message 1: Error: org.xml.sax.SAXParseException:

Error Message 2: "Schema Validation Error"

In most cases these errors indicate the form was opened with an unsupported software such as: Adobe Professional, Adobe Acrobat, an incompatible version of Adobe Reader, or another software.

Options to fix:
The applicant should download a NEW package then open, complete and submit it only using a compatible version of Adobe Reader.

Grants.gov requires the use of a compatible version of Adobe Reader. Grants.gov application packages cannot be used with any other Adobe product at this time.

Note: The user cannot copy and paste data from their existing package into the new package. Packages accessed using any software other than a compatible version of Adobe Reader may contain errors that will be transferred to the new package.

How can I ensure I am using Adobe Reader to work on my application package?

Option 1: Save the file first before using the compatible version of Adobe Reader to open it.

Verify the version of the Adobe Reader software you have installed on your computer. If you have multiple versions of Adobe Reader, be sure you are using the Grants.gov compatible version of Adobe Reader.
From the Grants.gov website, save the application package to your computer. If you are using Windows, you would do this by right clicking the application package link, and selecting and selecting ?Save Target As?? be sure to remember where you save the file. If you are using MAC, you would do this by right clicking the application package link, and selecting ?Save File As? under the File menu. Be sure to remember where you save the file.
Run the correct version of the Adobe Reader software.
For Windows: start, programs, Adobe Reader
For MAC: applications, Adobe Reader
From the Adobe Reader menu open the saved application package by selecting File, then Open and choosing the application package saved on your computer.

Option 2: Set your computer?s default to use the correct version of Adobe Reader for opening all files with a PDF extension..

Please note: This option will cause your computer to always use Adobe Reader to open files having a PDF filename extension.

How to do this will vary with each user?s installation of the Operating System.

If using Windows:
1. Verify the correct version of Adobe Reader is installed on your computer
2. Right click the Windows Start button
3. Select Explore
4. From the Windows Explore menu, click Tools, Folder Options
5. Click on the tab ?File Types?
6. Locate PDF in the ?Registered file types? and highlight it
7. Click Change
8. Choose ?Select the Program from a List?
9. Select Adobe Reader 8.1.1 or 8.1.2 from the list
  Note: This list displays only as Adobe Reader 8.1.1 or 8.1.2 be sure you have verified version in Step 1 above
10. Check ?Always use the selected program to open this kind of file?
11. Click Ok
If using Vista:
1. Verify the compatible version of Adobe Reader is installed on your computer
2. Click the Start button
3. Select Control Panel
4. Select Programs
5. Under Default Programs, select ?Make a file type always open in a specific program?
6. Locate PDF in the ?Set Associations? window, and select it
7. Click Change Program button
8. Choose ?Select the Program from a List?
9. Select Adobe Reader 8.1.1 or 8.1.2 from the list
  Note: This list displays only as Adobe Reader 8.1.1 or 8.1.2 be sure you have verified version in Step 1 above
10. Check ?Always use the selected program to open this kind of file?
11. Click Ok
If using MAC:
1. Verify the compatible version of Adobe Reader is installed on your computer
2. Click the Finder button
3. Select and click on a PDF file
4. Select ?Get Info? under the File Menu
5. Use ?Open With:? to change the default application
6. Locate Adobe in the programs list and select it
7. Click on Change All button

What do I need to install on my personal computer in order to use the new Adobe Reader software that will be replacing the PureEdge Viewer?

To view and apply for grants, please download and install the compatible version of Adobe Reader. Adobe Reader is free software and there is no cost to the users to download, install or use the software.

*Grants.gov recommends downloading both PureEdge and the compatible version of Adobe Reader to seamlessly apply for grants. Grants.gov is currently transitioning to phase out of PureEdge software to using Adobe Reader software exclusively. For a period of time applicants will still be able to use PureEdge as it is applicable.

Why am I getting a security error when I try to download Adobe Reader?

If you receive a security error while trying to download Adobe Reader, you may not have security permissions to install new programs on your system. If that is the case, you should contact your system administrator.

I downloaded the package and filled all the fields and clicked "Check Package for Errors" button, it gives "Validation Passed" message, but why isn't "Save & Submit" getting enabled?

First "Save" your package, then "Save & Submit" will become enabled.

Why can?t I download the Application Viewers?

If you are not able to download the Application Viewer, check with your system administrator to make sure that you have the security permissions to install new programs on your system.

How do I download the Application Viewers?

On any Grants.gov webpage click on Help on the left navigation, then click on Download Software below the Help link on the left navigation. Once on the Download Software page, you will be able to choose which software application you need to download to view, complete, and submit applications on Grants.gov. Grants.gov requires downloading both PureEdge and compatible version of Adobe Reader to seamlessly apply for grants. Grants.gov is currently phasing out of PureEdge software to using Adobe Reader software exclusively. For a period of time applicants will still be able to use PureEdge as it is applicable.

Why doesn't the scroll bar show on my Adobe Reader package?

Adobe Reader does not show vertical scroll bar in Mandatory and Optional document boxes. Simply click within document box and it shows the scroll bar.

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