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General FAQs About Grants.gov Grants.gov simplifies the grants management process and creates a centralized, online process to find and apply for over 900 grant programs from the 26 federal grant-making agencies. Grants.gov streamlines the process of awarding over $360 billion annually to state and local governments, academia, not-for-profits and other organizations. This program is one of the 24 federal cross-agency E-Government initiatives focused on improving access to services via the Internet. The vision for Grants.gov is to be a simple, unified source to electronically find, apply and manage grant opportunities. Grants.gov was developed as part of the President's Management Agenda and related E-Government Strategy, which charged federal grant-making agencies with developing a single electronic system to find and apply for federal grant opportunities. Website Support/Getting Help If I have a question that I don't see in Frequently Asked Questions, what should I do? If you have a question that you cannot find the answer to in Frequently Asked Questions, try consulting our User Guides. If you still cannot find an answer to the question, please contact us via email at support@grants.gov or call the Grants.gov contact center at 1-800-518-4726. Who can I talk to about a problem I'm having? If you are having a problem and have not found an answer in any of the other resources, call 1-800-518-4726 to speak to a Customer Support Representative or email support@grants.gov. If I sent an email and got an automatic response, when will I receive the answer to my question? Your email will be responded to quickly. A Customer Support Representative will address your issue and contact you soon after they receive the email. Software/Technical/Downloads How do I change the screen resolution in order to see the right-hand side of the website instead of having to scroll left to right? Click on the link to view our screen resolution directions Where can I learn more about Grants.gov's compatibility with Windows Vista and Microsoft Office? Click here Is Microsoft Windows Vista a supported platform for use with Grants.gov? While using the compatible version of Adobe Reader, Grants.gov offers complete compatibility with the following operating systems: all windows operating systems including Vista, MAC, Unix and Linux. Vista users submitting a PureEdge application package can utilize the Citrix solution via Grants.gov to submit applications. Vista users may view, complete, and submit forms produced by the PureEdge software used by Grants.gov, through a Citrix server connection. A Citrix server connection allows users to remotely launch a Windows session on their own machines by using the free Citrix client application. While connected to the server, 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 their application package for the specific grant for which they are applying. Click here to download Adobe Reader Citrix Client Start-up Guide for Vista Click here. To download Citrix Streamlining Client Version 1.1 click here. Click on the link below for additional information regarding Citrix 1.1 Grants.gov is currently reviewing the Vista operating system to adopt standard security configurations by February 1, 2008 in compliance with OMB's memorandum. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/fy2007/m07-11.pdf The text on Grants.gov is too small to read. How can I make the text larger on Grants.gov? In order to make the text size larger on the site, complete the following steps:
For Netscape:
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 already have 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 Vista: If using MAC: Check your computer's settings, make sure that the compatible version of Adobe Reader and no earlier version, is set as your default application viewer. For instructions on setting the compatible version of 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:
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, a incompatible version of Adobe Reader, or another software. Options to fix: Grants.gov requires the use of the compatible versions 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 the compatible versions 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 a compatible version of Adobe Reader to open it.
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.
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 located on the download software page. 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 me a "Validation Passed" message, but why isn't the "Save & Submit" being enabled? To enable the "Save & Submit" button first "Save" your package and 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 a 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. As an individual, how do I find information on federal and state grants, benefits, or assistance? Where can I search for grants or assistance to pay off debt, bills, or medical costs? Where can I find information on government benefits that I may be eligible to receive? If you are an individual looking for information on government benefits, refer to GovBenefits.gov, the official government benefits website, a free, confidential tool that helps individuals find government benefits they may be eligible to receive, as well as information on how to apply. Application Guidelines 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. 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.
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.
Privacy Policy What is Grants.gov’s privacy policy?Click here to view the complete Grants.gov privacy policy. A brief summary of the Grants.gov privacy policy is: We will collect no personal information about you when you visit our website unless you choose to provide that information to us. What do you do with the personal information I enter at Grants.gov? If you choose to provide us with personal information (by providing feedback), we use that information to respond to your message and to help us get you the information you have requested. We only share the information you give us with another government agency if your inquiry relates to that agency, or as otherwise required by law. Moreover, we do not create individual profiles with the information you provide or give it to any private organizations. We do not collect information for commercial marketing. Grants.gov will never ask you for personal information, such as a social security number, banking, or credit card information. What will be the new USDA eAuthentication password requirements for Level 1? The USDA eAuthentication system will soon be changing their password requirements for Level 1 accounts and the password life span for all accounts. They have not provided a date for these changes to take affect at this time. The following will be the new USDA password policies:
These password enhancements are used to increase the security of USDA accounts. For additional information, please visit the USDA FAQ pages: http://www.eauth.egov.usda.gov/eauthWhatIsAccount.html If assistance is required, the USDA eAuthentication team can be reached at eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov or call 800-457-3642. Fraud Issues Who should I contact if I think that someone is fraudulently representing Grants.gov?If you think that someone has fraudulently represented Grants.gov, contact the HHS Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477 and email support@grants.gov. How can I recognize and avoid grant scams/fraud?The Better Business Bureau offers these tips and suggestions:
 . Grant Fraud provides tips to protect your organization and the source of your federal funds by helping to detect and prevent fraud.
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About Grants.gov
to change your settings. 
