An Introduction to Grants.Gov Office of Sponsored Programs Virginia Commonwealth University Spring 2006

What is Grants.gov?  Grants.gov simplifies the grant application process and creates a centralized, on-line process to find and apply for over 900 grant programs from the 26 Federal grant- making agencies.  A Federal portal that allows users to electronically find, apply for, and manage Federal grant opportunities  Grants.gov can be accessed via:

Why Use Grants.gov?  Public Law (PL) : Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999 to:  Improve the effectiveness and performance of Federal financial assistance program  Simplify Federal financial assistance application and reporting requirements  Improve the delivery of services to the public

When do I have to use Grants.gov?  Depends on the agency and program requirements. Some sponsors (e.g., NOAA) have already moved to Grants.gov; some (e.g., NIH) are currently transitioning to Grants.gov; and some (e.g., NSF) have yet to begin the transition.  Eventually, all Federal granting agencies will require the submission of the proposal via Grants.gov system.  Grant programs available via Grants.gov can be viewed at: sList.pdf sList.pdf sList.pdf

NIH Proposal Timeline for Grants.gov  12/01/05 – SBIR/STTR (R41, R42, R43, R44)  12/15/05 – Conferences & Meetings (R14 & U13)  02/25/06 – AREA Grant (R15)  06/01/06 – Small Grants (R03); Exploratory/Development Research Grants (R21/R33); Clinical Trial Planning Grant Program (R34)

NIH Proposal Timeline for Grants.gov  10/01/06 – Research Demonstration and Dissemination Projects (R18/U18); Education Projects (R25); Research Facilities Construction Grants (C06/UC6)  02/01/07- Research Project Grant Program (R01)  10/01/07 – All Grant Programs

What’s Needed to Start – Software Requirements Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Standard or Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Professional Secure Shell FTP Client Software at ows/SSHSecureShellClient exe Secure Shell FTP Client Software at ows/SSHSecureShellClient exe ows/SSHSecureShellClient exe ows/SSHSecureShellClient exe PureEdge Software at PureEdge Software at

NIH Commons Log on to NIH Commons Log on to NIH Commons Click on Personal Profile Click on Personal Profile Print all sections of your profile Print all sections of your profile This information will be needed when entering data into your application This information will be needed when entering data into your application

Getting Started  One-time start-up requirement:  Users must download PureEdge Viewer software via Grants.gov website at: ewer ewer ewer  Users must download SSH-FTP software at ndows/SSHSecureShellClient exe ndows/SSHSecureShellClient exe ndows/SSHSecureShellClient exe 

Getting Started  For NIH proposals, PI must have an active account in the NIH ERA Commons. Contact your OSP Team Leader to request a NIH ERA account.

Five Steps for Submitting NIH Proposals via Grants.gov  Download application package via Grants.gov  Complete the application package  Upload the application package and Internal Approval Form to OSP’s FTP site  OSP reviews and submits to Grants.gov  Watch for notification s from Grants.gov (first) and then NIH  View the application package via NIH ERA Commons – if okay, no further action required. If not okay, must revise and resubmit.

Timeline for Proposal Prep/Submission 75 days before Deadline  For NIH Programs – ensure you have an account in eRA Commons - Contact OSP if you are unsure or need an account 60 days before Deadline  Download PureEdge Viewer to your computer  Website: days before Deadline  Download and complete the application package from Grants.gov  your team leader (either or with your program announcement information and deadline date

Timeline for Proposal Prep/Submission 7-14 days before Deadline  Upload your grant and signed internal approval form to OSP utilizing the instructions available here: Before Grant Deadline  OSP will submit your grant application

Culture Change Proposals for the June 1, 2006 submission must be uploaded to OSP’s FTP site by 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 22, 2006 Proposals for the June 1, 2006 submission must be uploaded to OSP’s FTP site by 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 22, 2006 OSP’s recommendation is that the proposal be completed and uploaded at least 14 days prior to the deadline OSP’s recommendation is that the proposal be completed and uploaded at least 14 days prior to the deadline

Culture Change Remember that all institutions across the country are going to be doing the same thing that we are – this will be the first real test of the Grants.gov system Remember that all institutions across the country are going to be doing the same thing that we are – this will be the first real test of the Grants.gov system

Grants.gov Newsletter SPRING AHEAD DURING PEAK SEASON Don’t wait until the last minute to complete and submit your grant application; it’ll save you considerable time and stress. Typically, submitting your grant application package through Grants.gov is an easy process, but some users underestimate the time it takes to register, complete and submit their application – especially when the pressure is on. Prepare and submit your application well before the deadline to avoid any potential technical difficulties as you navigate the system – and be mindful that your Internet connection may lead to longer than normal uploads of application packages – especially for those with large attachments. Get started early and save time!

Demonstration of Grants.gov System  Finding Grant Opportunities  Applying for Grants  Downloading Instructions  Downloading the Application Package  Completing the Application Package Using Form 424 R&R  Viewing and Printing Application Packages  Acknowledgement and Notification

More Information  OSP Website  OSP Website p/grantsgov.htm p/grantsgov.htm NIH ERA’s Electronic Receipt website: era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/ era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/  Grants.gov Training Materials website:

Hints and Tips Your NIH Commons username must be entered in all caps Your NIH Commons username must be entered in all caps The PI address on the application package must match the PI address entered in Commons The PI address on the application package must match the PI address entered in Commons The PI title on the application package must match the PI title entered in Commons The PI title on the application package must match the PI title entered in Commons

Hints and Tips continued Only PureEdge or PDF formats will be accepted Only PureEdge or PDF formats will be accepted Do not use special characters in file names Do not use special characters in file names If you need to correct and resubmit an application, you MUST check the Changed/Corrected application box in Type of Submission If you need to correct and resubmit an application, you MUST check the Changed/Corrected application box in Type of Submission