1. Grants.gov | The Final Step in Securing Research and Program Support: How to Complete the Application Package
Ramana Gosukonda
Associate Professor of Agricultural Sciences
Fort Valley State University

2. Agenda Complete the Application Overview of Grants.gov
Functionality
What does it mean to PI?
Features: Find and Apply
Getting started with Grants.gov
How to register
How to download application packages
Complete the Application
Tips for submitting to Grants.gov successfully
Review grant notices and instructions carefully
Register early; submit early; verify submission is OK

3. GIT Conference
Grants.gov overview

4. Grants.gov at a Glance http://www.grants.gov
One-stop shop for funding opportunities that allows the public to electronically:
Find grant opportunities
Apply for grants
Manage grants
Include funding opportunities from all 26 federal agencies as well as some state and local governments

5. Grants.gov provides robust functionality…
For Grantors
Post available grant opportunities
Post related application packages
Retrieve application packages
Assign tracking numbers
For the Grant Community
Search for available grant opportunities and related application packages
Download application packages
Complete application packages offline
Submit completed application packages
Track the status of submitted applications

6. What does Grants.gov mean to PI ?
All proposals must be in response to a specific Grant Opportunity.
All Application Packages must be downloaded through the Grant Opportunity.
No reuse of forms!
All proposals must be developed in the Grants.gov Application Package
PI/SPO submits the completed proposal through Grants.gov

7. What does Grants.gov mean to PI ?
All proposals will be validated by Grants.gov prior to being accepted as submitted.
Proposals will not be considered submitted
until all the validation errors are fixed and
an error-free proposal is accepted by Grants.gov prior to the published deadline of the Opportunity.

8. Grants.gov Key Features
Find Grant
Opportunities
Apply for
Grants

9. Quick Search Using Key Word
Use Keyword search on Home Page for a quick search of grant opportunities
When you search on Keyword, you may be brought to a list of Opportunities. A Grant Opportunity number will take you directly to the Opportunity.

10. Browse Opportunities
In the middle of Grants.gov Home Page Find Open Grant Opportunities

11. Full Search – Basic Search Tool
Click “SEARCH GRANT” tab then use “BASIC SEARCH” to find grant opportunities.

12. Getting Started With Grants. gov
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Getting Started With Grants. gov

13. Who Uses Grants.gov? Organizations
(Ebiz POC) E-Business Point of Contact
(AOR) Authorized Organization Representative
Grant researcher
Individuals
Note: One person can and, in some instances, will
serve in multiple capacities for the organization

14. Registering With Grants.gov
(for Organizations)
Step 1: Register Your Organization
FVSU is Registered with Grants.gov
Step 2: Register Yourself as an Authorized
Organization Representative (AOR)
Step 3: Get Yourself Authorized by your
organization to submit grants
Registration can take 5 or more days to complete
Begin the registration process now; avoid
the pressure of registering and applying at
the same time.

15. Step 1: Register your Organization
Obtain your organizations DUNS number
Register your organization with Central Contractor
Registry (CCR). Please note this registration must
be updated annually.
Identify your organization’s E-Business Point of
Contact (e-Biz POC)
Confirm your organization’s CCR M-PIN password
(Marketing Partner ID Number (M-PIN) password)

16. Step 2: Register Yourself as AOR
Obtain your username and password from the Grants.gov Credential Provider.
Register username and password with Grants.gov
Step 3: Get Authorized as an AOR
Contact your E-Business POC to ensure your AOR Status
Log in to Grants.gov to check your AOR status
NOTE: An Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) is the
person who submits the application for the organization.

17. Check your AOR Status Login to Grants.gov as an Applicant
Check your AOR status in your user profile
Approved status means your ready to submit

18. Finding Grant Opportunities:Three Ways
Quick Search Using Key Word
When you search on Keyword, you may be brought to a list of Opportunities.
A Grant Opportunity number will take you directly to the Opportunity
Browse Opportunities –in the middle of the page
Browse Newest opportunities
Browse by category
Browse by agency
Browse by Eligibility
Full Search- Click on the SEARCH GRANTS TAB
Basic Search - is useful if you have a specific
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) # and/or
Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) #
For example, to search for L – enter
Do not enter an alpha character after the CFDA

19. Finding Opportunity –Basic Search
For Example, we searched on Grant Opportunity A
From Search Results you click on the Opportunity Number to access the Grant Opportunity Application Page
Click on the Opportunity Number and the View Grant Opportunity Page will appear with the Synopsis, Announcement, and How to Apply

20. Finding Opportunity (Cont.)
View Grant Opportunity Page provides a summary of the Application Package. It has following TABS
SYNOPSIS, VERSION HISTORY, RELATED DOCUMENTS, PACKAGE

21. Finding Opportunity (Cont.)
On the View Grant Opportunity you can access the Full Announcement of solicitation by clicking on RELATED DOCUMENTS TAB
Download Full Announcement from here

22. Finding Opportunity (Cont.)
Click on PACKAGE TAB for Grants.Gov Application
Double check if you have the correct Opportunity
It is highly recommended that you enter your address in the fields so you can subscribe to the updates.
You have an option not to provide your address
Enter address

23. Finding Opportunity (Cont.)
Download the Instructions and Save to your hard drive
Download the Application Package and Save it to your hard drive
Download Application Instructions and Package from here

24. Rename the Application
When you download, rename the file as follows:
PI Last Name_Agency Acronym.pdf
E.g. Smith_NIH.pdf
Eventually you will have more than one file with the same name. E.g. Smith_NIH. That’s ok.
Just add a relevant date (102215) or keyword to maintain unique naming
E.g. Smith_NIH_

25. This is Why We Need a Naming Convention
Research Sponsored Programs receives at least four s regarding each submission:
First confirms receipt by Grants.gov.
Second confirms validation by Grants.gov.
Third confirms receipt by Sponsor.
Subsequent s from Sponsor regarding tracking through the Sponsor’s system (e.g. NIH Commons, DOE IIPS) or contact information.

26. Completing the Application
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Completing the Application

27. Applying for Grant Opportunities
Getting Ready
Before beginning the Application Package, Read the Application Instructions very carefully and follow them.
Determine deadline: Both due date and time
If you have programmatic questions about the instructions, please contact
the Federal Agency Program Manager identified in the OPPORTUNITY.
If you have questions regarding “how” to complete a form or policy questions, contact
Office of External Affairs for guidance.

28. Applying for Grant Opportunities
The first step in the Apply process is to open your Application Package and Instructions

29. What's in an Application Package?
Application header Page
Top Section – Opportunity Identifying Information is automatically pre-filled
Middle Section – Application Filing Name
Bottom Section – Select Forms to Complete
Forms
Mandatory Standard Form 424 (Research & Related)
SF424 (R&R) is the set of standard forms used across all agencies.
Other mandatory Budget, Personal etc. forms
Optional Key contacts, Sub award Etc. forms
Application header Page

30. Application Header Page
It is the first page viewed each time the file is opened.
It is the point from which you will navigate through to complete all forms
Section 1: Opportunity identifying information
Section 2: Application Filing Name
Section 3: Mandatory and optional forms to be completed

31. Header Page (Section 1): Opportunity Identifying Information
Opportunity Identifying Information is automatically pre-filled. DO NOT CHANGE
Verify the Opportunity Identifying Information. If the Federal funding opportunity listed is not the opportunity for which you want to apply,
close this application package by clicking on the “Cancel” button at the top of this screen.
You will then need to locate the correct Federal funding opportunity, download its application and then apply.
Verify the Opportunity Identifying Information. This electronic grants application is intended to be used to apply for the specific Federal funding opportunity referenced here.

32. Header Page (Section 2): Application Filing Name
Check the box indicating that you will be submit an application on your own behalf (if applicable).
The check box will only be shown on funding opportunities that are open to individuals.
Enter a name for the application in the * Application Filing Name field.
This field is required.
This name is solely for you to track the application through the Grants.gov submission process; Funding agencies will not use the filing name.
You may use any combination of letters and/or numbers to name the application file.
Check this box if applicable
Enter the name here

33. Header Page (Section 3): Select Forms to Complete
Complete all of the documents listed in the “Mandatory” section.
Complete the SF-424 (R&R) first.
Data on the SF-424 (R&R) will populate other mandatory and optional forms where possible.
To access a form or document, click on the form/document name. Alternatively, you need only scroll up or down, as appropriate, to locate the desired form/document.
Click on the form or scroll down to access a particular form

34. Header Page (Section 3): Optional Forms to Complete
Add and Complete Optional Documents
These documents can be used to provide additional support for the application or may be required for specific types of funding opportunities.
To add an “Optional” form/document to the application package→ simply check the box to the left of the desired form/document.
To add, simply check the box to the left of the desired form/document.

35. Navigating and Completing the Forms
The SF-424 (R&R) Cover Sheet and R&R Budget forms/documents are two or more pages in length.
You must complete the mandatory fields on each page of the form/document.
To navigate to the next page of a form/document, simply scroll down the screen.
To go back to the first page of the form/document or to the Grant Application Package screen, simply scroll up the screen.
You must save the application package from the Grant Application Package screen.

36. Completing the R&R Budget form
You may enter up to five budget periods on the R&R Budget form/document.
To add a new budget period, you must first complete Budget Period 1 including attaching a budget narrative.
The “Next Period” button at top of page 3 of the R&R Budget form/document will become active once all the required fields in Budget Period 1 are completed.

37. Components of the SF424 (R&R)
SF424 (R&R) Standard Components include:
R&R Application cover component
R&R Project/Performance Site Location (s)
R&R Other Project Information
R&R Senior/Key Person
R&R Budget
R&R Personal Data
R&R Subaward Budget Attachment Form

38. File Attachments
Many of the forms/documents in the application package require you to attach files.
All attachments must be submitted in Portable Document Format (.pdf) format.
All attachments also must have a unique name to identify them.
Attachment file names should indicate the file contents (e.g., Project Summary).

39. Accessing Help
Accessing Help Tips- To access help tips scroll over a field on the form/document to reveal the help text for that field.
Not every field has a help tip.

40. Saving the Application
Saving the Application- you save the application package after you complete each form/document.
by clicking on the “Save” button at the top of the Grant Application Package Screen.
Note that the application package will be saved to the last active directory on your computer.
Therefore, you should save the application package to your hard drive where it can be easily accessed.

41. Saving the Application
Click here on the (save button) header/first page to save the application package

42. Check Package for Errors
To initiate the Grants.gov edit check process, simply click on the “Check Package for Errors” button at the top of the screen.
This process will identify all mandatory fields that you have not been completed.
These errors will be displayed one at a time.
Click here on the Check Package for Errors button) on header page to save the application package

43. Error Message Window First line identifies the form
Specific Errors. To fix errors go to the specific form, and specific field to resolve the error

44. Once you resolve errors it should display “Complete” for each form

45. SR424 Cover page (Field 1)
Mandatory fields are highlighted with Yellow and Red border.
- You must fill in these fields with info.
Field 1: Select a Type of Submission a type of submission.
If this submission is to change or correct a previously submitted “New” application, click the Changed/Corrected Application box and enter the Grants.gov tracking number in the Federal Identifier field.
If this submission is to change or correct a “resubmission”, “renewal”, “continuation”, or “revision” application, leave the Federal identifier field as previously filled with the existing identifier (e.g. Award number).
Select “New” or Application if it is new submission

46. SR424 Cover page (Field 2 and 3)
Field 2: Enter Date Submitted and Applicant Identifier Enter the date the application is submitted to Federal agency (or State if applicable). Please use mm/dd/yyyy format (e.g., 10/22/2015).
Use the Applicant Identifier field when an institution has its own system for tracking applications. This field allows the applicant to enter their application identifier on the application, if applicable.
Enter the Applicant’s control number (if applicable) in the Applicant Identifier
Field 3 : Enter Date Received by State and State Application Identifier
Enter the date received by state (if applicable).
Enter the state application identifier (if applicable) in the State Application Identifier field.
You could leave it blank if not applicable

47. SR424 Cover page (Field 4&5) Field 4: Enter Federal Identifier
New project applications should leave these fields blank. If not new
Federal Identifier: If this is a continuation, revision, or renewal application, enter the assigned Federal identifier number (for example, award number)—even if submitting a changed/corrected application.
Agency Routing Identifier: Enter the agency-assigned routing identifier per the agency-specific instructions. This is an optional field.
Previous Grants.gov Tracking ID: Enter the previous Grants.gov tracking number, if applicable.
Field 5: Enter Applicant Information
Enter the DUNS or DUNS+4 number of the applicant organization in the * Organizational DUNS field. This field is required.
FVSU’s DUN is :
Refer FVSU’s OSP-SOP-Manual-2015.pdf

48. SR424 Cover page (Field 5&6) Field 5: Applicant information
For the Legal Name field enter the legal name of the applicant organization or individual
i.e., Fort Valley State University
Street 1, City, State, Country, and Zip/Postal Code fields are required.
Enter the nine-digit Postal Code
Zip:
County: Peach
Field: The Person to be contacted on matters involving this application
Enter PI details
Field 6: Employer Identification (EIN or TIN): Enter either TIN or EIN as assigned by the Internal Revenue Service. If your organization is not in the U.S., type This field is required
FVSU TIN is :
FVSU DUN is
Enter FVSU details here
Enter PI details here
FVSU TIN is :

49. SR424 Cover page (Field 7-10)
Field 7: Select the appropriate applicant type code. This field is required.
FVSU is HBCU
Higher Education
State Government
Field 8: Select Type of Application
• New or Resubmission or Renewal or Continuation or Revision
Field 9: Name of Federal Agency
This is the name the Federal agency from which assistance is being requested by this application. This information is pre-populated from the opportunity package.
Field 10 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number and Title
under which assistance is requested. This information is pre-populated from the opportunity package.
DoEd. requires
Enter FVSU details here
Enter PI details here
New - An application that is being submitted to an agency for the first time.
• Resubmission - An application that has been previously submitted, but not funded, and is being resubmitted for new consideration.
Renewal - An application requesting additional funding for a period subsequent to that provided by a current award. A renewal application competes with all other applications and must be developed as fully as though the applicant is applying for the first time.
Continuation - A non-competing application for an additional funding/budget period within a previously approved project period.
Revision - An application that proposes a change in - 1) the Federal Government's financial obligations or contingent liability from an existing obligation; or, 2) any other change in the terms and conditions of the existing award.
FVSU TIN is :

50. SR424 Cover page (Field 11-13)
Field 11: Enter Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project
This field is required. USDA has 140-character-maximum including spaces.
Field 12 : Enter Proposed Project
Start Date – Enter the proposed start date of the project. This field is required. Use mm/dd/yyyy format (e.g., 10/01/2015).
Ending Date – Enter the proposed end date of the project. This field is required. Use mm/dd/yyyy format (e.g., 09/30/2018).
Field 13: Enter Congressional Districts
Enter the Congressional District in the format: 2 character State Abbreviation - 3 character District Number.
For FVSU it is GA-002
Enter FVSU details here
Enter PI details here
The proposed duration for which support is requested must be consistent with the nature and complexity of the proposed activity. In some situations, a funding opportunity may limit the duration of requested support. In such cases, RFA will address the limitations. Specification of a desired starting date for the project is important and helpful to our staff; however, we may not always be able to meet the requested dates. In such cases, Funding agencieswill consult with you.
If outside the US, enter To locate your congressional district, visit the Grants.gov web site. This field is required.
FVSU TIN is :
FVSU’s CD is GA-002

51. SR424 Page 2 (Field 14&15)
Field 14: Enter Project Director/Principal Investigator Contact Information
Mandatory fields require input.
Field 15 : Enter Estimated Project Funding
Total Federal Funds Requested: Enter total Federal funds requested for the entire project period.
Total Non-Federal Funds: Enter total non-Federal funds requested for the entire project period. If none, enter 0.00
Total Federal & Non-Federal Funds: Enter total estimated funds for the entire project period, including both Federal and non-Federal funds.
Estimated Program Income: Identify any Program Income estimated for this project period if applicable. If not enter 0.00
Enter Project Director or PI details here
The Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) means the single individual designated by the awardee in the application and approved by the Authorized Departmental Officer who is responsible for the direction and management of the project. To facilitate communication with NIFA, the person designated in Field 14. will be considered the contact PD/PI

52. SR424 Page 2 (Field 16-21)
Field 16: Is Application Subject to Review by State Executive Order Process?
If yes, check box. If the announcement indicates that the program is covered under Executive Order If no, check appropriate box.
Field 17 : Complete Certification
Field 18 : Enter SFLLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities) or Other Explanatory Documentation
You will receive one by the Office of Sponsored Programs. Attach it here.
Field 19: Enter Authorized Representative
Dr. Melody L. Carter
Vice President for External Affairs
Huntington Halle, phone
Field 20: Enter Pre-Application
Field 21: Cover Letter is optional
Enter Project Director or PI details here
If the announcement indicates that the program is covered under Executive Order 12372, applicants should contact the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for Federal Executive Order If no, check appropriate box. One selection is required.
If submitting a pre-application, provide a summary description of the projec.t in accordance with the announcement and/or agency-specific instructions and attach here.
FVSU authorize representative details
Vice President for External Affairs
Dr. Melody L. Carter

53. Form: Research Related Senior/Key Personnel
Captures personal profile information on the PD/PI, Key Personnel, and Other Significant Contributors
Biosketch should be attached for each person
Check page limit of the funding agency
It could be 2 page or 4 pages

54. Form: Research Related Senior/Key Personnel
Profile: Project Director
All fields are easy and straightforward
Upload Biographical Sketch
Upload Current and Pending Support.
Profile: Senior/Key Person 1
All fields are easy and straightforward
Upload Biographical Sketch
Upload Current and Pending Support.
Add Senior/Key Person by clicking <New Person> button
Delete Senior/Key Person by clicking <Delete Entry> button

55. Form: Research & Related other Project Information
Includes information on involvement of Human Subjects, Vertebrate Animals, Environmental Impact, Foreign Involvement
Includes separate PDF attachments for
Project Summary/Abstract
Project Narrative
Separate component developed for Research Plan
Bibliography & References
Facilities & Other Resources
Equipment resources

56. Form: Research & Related other Project Information
1. Are Human Subjects Involved?
If activities involving human subjects are planned at any time during the proposed project at any performance site, check yes.
If no, skip the rest of block 1.
2. Are Vertebrate Animals Involved?
If activities involving vertebrate animals are planned at any time during the proposed project at any performance site, check yes.
If no, check no and skip the rest of block 2.
Check yes, even if the proposed project is exempt from Regulations for the Protection of Human Subjects.
Exemption Number – If human subject activities are exempt from Federal regulations, provide the exemption numbers corresponding to one or more of the exemption categories. The six categories of research that qualify for exemption from coverage by the regulations are defined in the Common Rule for the Protection of Human Subjects.
These regulations can be found at:
Indicate an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) review is pending. This field is required is yes is checked to the question “Are vertebrate animals used?”
3. Is Proprietary/Privileged Information Included in the Application? Check yes or no.
4. Does this Project Have an Actual or Potential Impact on the Environment?

57. Form: Research & Related other Project Information
5). Is the Research Performance Site Designated, or Eligible to be Designated, as a Historic Place?
6). Does this Project Involve Activities Outside the U.S. or Partnership with International Collaborators?
7). Attach Project Summary/Abstract This Summary must not include any proprietary/confidential information. To attach a Summary/Abstract, click “Add Attachment”.
8). Attach Project Narrative
Provide Project Narrative in accordance with the announcement and/or agency-specific instructions. To attach it, click “Add Attachment”.
9.) Attach Bibliography & References Cited.
10 & 11.) Attach Facilities & Other Resources, and Equipment

58. Form: Research & Related Budget
Even if you have a zero budget for a particular line item, it is recommended that you enter value ‘0’

59. Field C Enter Equipment Description Equipment is defined as an item of property that has an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more (unless the organization has established lower levels) and an expected service life of more than one year.
General-purpose equipment, such as a personal computer, is not eligible for support unless primarily or exclusively used in the actual conduct of scientific research.
List each item of equipment separately and justify each in the budget justification section. Allowable items ordinarily will be limited to research equipment and apparatus not already available for the conduct of the work.
General-purpose equipment, such as a personal computer, is not eligible for support unless primarily or exclusively used in the actual conduct of scientific research.

60. Form: Research & Related Budget
Materials and Supplies: List total funds requested for materials and supplies.
Indirect Cost Type - Indicate the type of base; e.g., Salary & Wages, Modified Total Direct Costs, Other
Indirect Cost Rate (%): Indicate the most recent Indirect Cost rate(s)
FVSU charges 33%
Period Covered by the Indirect Cost Rate Agreement: 7/1/ /30/2016
Approving Agency Department of Health and Human Services
Enter Fee (Field J on the Form)
Generally, a fee is not allowed on a grant or cooperative agreement. Do not include a fee in your budget unless the program announcement specifically allows the inclusion of a "fee" (e.g., SBIR/STTR). If a fee is allowable, enter the requested fee. Inclusion of fees (profit) in a budget is allowable only if specifically authorized by a NIFA program solicitation.
The budget justification detail should follow the same order as the budget. While you should provide information for each item of the budget, you must justify the following budget categories, where applicable: salaries (justification is to include the Base Annual Salary for each key person), equipment, travel, participant/trainee support and other direct cost categories. Only one file may be attached.
Attach Budget Justification by clicking Add Attachment

61. Form: Project/Performance Site Location
Enter for the Project/Performance Site Location 1 the information required for the Project/Performance Site Primary Location. If it is necessary to enter information for additional sites, click on the “Next Site” button.

62. TIPs for submitting Application
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TIPs for submitting Application

63. Quick Tips
Start early! not new data, just new forms, so you’ll get through it, only slower. route your completed proposal several days in advance.
when naming application file, follow the naming convention (pi last_agency.pdf).
Attachments must be un-editable .pdf files
when naming attachments,
don’t use spaces, hyphens, special characters, or long file names.

64. Quick Tips (Cont.)
Be sure and read both the agency solicitation and the Grants.gov instructions. You may find mismatches.
You need to save the application package file to your hard drive BEFORE you begin entering info in the file.
Complete the 424 (R&R) first. It populates other components.
The file does not automatically save. You have to click on to save the data entered.

65. Tips to Submit Successfully
Review notices carefully
Application notice indicates if program is using Grants.gov
Review funding Agency deadlines, both due date and time
Due by 4:30 p.m. Washington, D.C. time
Submit early; allow extra time
Grants.gov date-and-time stamps application and
then completes validation after it is fully uploaded
Enter DUNS number of FVSU on the application
If a different DUNS is entered submission may be rejected

66. Winning Reminders Register early Submit early Verify submission is OK
Register before the program application is available
Verify registration steps are complete
Submit early
Allow time for uploading and unexpected issues
Plan to submit several days before the deadline if possible
Verify submission is OK
Check that application is received & validated by Grants.gov
Don’t rely solely on notifications