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About Grants.gov


Training and Tutorials
Hands on Training Opportunities targeted for faculty and staff:
This hands on session will cover instructions for applying and submitting Federal applications in Grants.gov. Course will cover how to search for Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA), download the free PureEdge software, download the application, and complete and submit the new application forms to CGA for approval. Tips, timelines, and typical errors will be covered. Learn more how to use the new MSU CGA for saving application file versions and authorizing CGA to submit application files.
MSU Training schedule contact Betty Crowell (crowell@cga.msu.edu) to register
NIH Specific May 21, 2008 9:00-11:00 a.m. 443 Administration Building
Online Training and tutorials:


What is Grants.gov?
Grants.gov is a single access point for over 1,000 grant programs offered by the 26 Federal grant-making agencies. At Grants.gov you will find how to find and apply for grant opportunities. Grants.gov provides access to over $400 billion in annual awards. This system was developed as a result of the Grants Streamlining Initiative P.L. 106-107 to be a single electronic system to find and apply for Federal grant opportunities.

http://www.grants.gov/aboutgrants/streamlining_initiatives.jsp


Grants.Gov Application Guide

  1. You don’t need to register with grants.gov

    Contract & Grant Administration (CGA) is the MSU office registered, and the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR), to submit Grants.gov applications for the University. Individual PI’s do not need to register in Grants.gov to apply. Certain agencies however, do require registration in their system so that they can track the proposals electronically (NIH Commons, NSF Fastlane).

  2. Start early and have a plan.

    Grants.gov requires changes as to how proposals are submitted. It is recommended to start early. Utilize training resources well before the deadline. Timelines will need to change for PIs, staff, departments, and CGA. Departments should develop systems as to how to manage and share files without overwriting each others updates. Files may have to be resubmitted and key departmental staff may have to be available for longer periods of time for correcting any errors found in the electronic edits of Grants.gov or the agency.

    CGA will make every attempt to submit all applications before the agency deadline. Due to the volume of applications at peak periods and the additional time for electronic edits, it is advised that the non-technical information be submitted to CGA 10 working days prior to the application deadline. This includes the budget, application face pages, transmittal form, and scope of work. Applications will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis according to deadline date. It is advised that all applications be completed 5 working days prior to the submission day so that there is adequate time to pass all electronic validations prior to the deadline date.

  3. Steps to apply

    To view the general steps and timeline and additional review periods click on the following links.

    NIH Document:
    http://www.cga.msu.edu/documents/NIH.pdf

    Other Federal Agencies:
    http://www.cga.msu.edu/documents/Other.pdf


Important Information in Application Guidelines
Grants.gov is a web portal or post office for many federal grant applications. Agencies may have specific requirements for submitting their individual application. Many application errors are due to proposal errors which did not follow application guidelines and therefore validations in Grants.gov will return the proposal for editing and resubmission. The application must be approved in Grants.gov before it is forwarded in that system to the agency. A proposal is not accepted as being on time until it passes Grants.gov edits and is successfully accepted in the agency electronic system.

Set up your computer early.

Grants.gov utilizes a free PureEdge software program for completing off-line application forms. Mac users have been provided a citrix solution. The Federal agencies have combined their application forms into some basic standards and are using versions of SF424 as the model application page. Additional agency required forms are included in the application package and updated off line using the PureEdge software.

Options to learn more:
  • Attend MSU hands-on training.
  • View Grants.gov online tutorials.
  • Request a departmental training session.
  • Read the agency application guidelines.


Who to Contact at Michigan State University

Your CGA agency contact is aware of specific agency requirements and technical difficulties relating to Grants.gov.

Questions regarding electronic submissions or to schedule a departmental visit can be directed to Craig Oneill, Assistant Director, CGA at oneill@cga.msu.edu.


Find, Apply, Succeed...
FIND  http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) are found at this site. It is recommended that you signup to receive automated emails from Grants.gov for a particular Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) that you are interested in so if changes are made you are notified. We still encourage you to provide your email address and sign up for these kinds of notifications whenever you download applications from Grants.gov. Remember to always go back to the FOA itself to download current application packages.

Applications are downloaded with specific announcement details pre completed for the particular funding opportunity in the SF 424 forms.
APPLY  http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp

CGA has developed a web application for maintaining Grants.gov files. You can log into the new CGA Portal at:
http://www.cga.msu.edu/pl/pureedge/pureedgemain.aspx.
Once logged in, hover the mouse pointer over the "My Proposal Information" on the menu and select "My CGA Grants.Gov".

This site provides a mechanism to share files, maintain versions, and submit Grants.gov applications to CGA.
SUCCEED!


Download PureEdge Software

VERY IMPORTANT - Grants.gov utilizes PureEdge software for application completion and submission on Windows based systems. You must download the PureEdge Viewer to open application forms and instructions.

MAC users
The PureEdge software utilized to prepare applications does not current support non Windows users. A Citrix solution has been designed to support those users.
http://apple.doit.wisc.edu/grants.gov/

Sample SF 424 family of forms:
http://apply.grants.gov/agency/FormLinks?family=3

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
http://www.grants.gov/help/applicant_faqs.jsp

Download PureEdge viewer
http://www.grants.gov/resources/download_software.jsp#pureedge


Agency Specific Guidelines:
http://grants.gov/applicants/agencies_that_provide_grants.jsp

Sample Applications by agency (to be provided by each section).


Tips
Standard MSU information using SF 424
  • Organization DUNS: 19-324-7145
  • Legal Name: Michigan State University
  • Employer Identification (EIN/TIN): 38-6005984
  • Type of Applicant: Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education or if that options is not available, use State Controlled Institution of Higher Education
  • Congressional Districts of Applicant: 8th


Application Error Tips:
http://www.grants.gov/assets/ApplicationErrorTips.doc

Converting files to pdf:
http://www.grants.gov/resources/download_software.jsp#pdf_conversion_programs

NIH Person Month Conversion Table:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/person_months_faqs.htm
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/person_months_faqs.htm grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/person_months_conversion_chart.xls

NIH Multiple Principal Investigators:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi/



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Name Type Size Action
ioSpecial.ini application/octet-stream 125