Welcome to the Grant Resource Center - Frequently Asked Questions

Grant Applicant FAQ's

What are the first steps to get started?

How do I download the Grant Application Viewer?

Why can’t I download the Application Viewer?

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

What is a DUNS number?

Why does my organization have to provide a DUNS number?

How do I request a DUNS number?

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

How can I be removed from D&B's marketing list?

Is registering for a DUNS number free of charge?

What information will I need to obtain a DUNS number?

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

Why do I need to register with CCR?

Is there anything I should do before registering with CCR?

How do I register with CCR?

How long should I allow for a CCR registration?

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

What is a Credential Provider?

What is Operational Research Consultants (ORC)?

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

Who is the E-Business Point of Contact?

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

Where can I find grant opportunities?

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

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

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

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

How do I apply for a grant?

As an individual, how can I apply for Federal or State grants, assistance, or
benefits?

Why must I download the application package?

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

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

What type of documents and files can be uploaded to an application package?

How do I attach documents to my application?

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?

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

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?

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

Why do I need to login to submit an application?

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

How do I know that my application has been received by Grants.gov?
How do I know if the grantor agency has retrieved my application?

How can I check a submitted application's status?

What do I do if I have not received grant receipt confirmation within 48 hours?

How will I know if my application is rejected? What should I do if my application is rejected?

What happens if I submit my application after the filing deadline?

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

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

What do the application statuses mean?

Does Grants.gov support Non-Windows users?

Does Grants.gov architecture have sufficient capacity to handle receipt of grant applications from the entire Federal government?

What if there are more than 5-10 Non-Windows users in the Organization?

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

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

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

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

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?  

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?  

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

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

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

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

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

Can I use Firefox browser to view this site?
 
What are the steps to get started?
The Get Started steps are:
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

How do I download the Application Viewer?
To download the Application Viewer:

Click here to download the Grant Application Viewer Install the PureEdge Grant Application Viewer Why can’t I download the Application Viewer?
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.

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.

What is a DUNS number?
A DUNS number is a unique nine-character identification number provided by the commercial company Dun & Bradstreet (D&B).

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 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. Requesting a DUNS number is quick and easy. You can request and register for a DUNS number online via web registration. 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, request not to be listed when you are speaking with a D&B representative during your DUNS number telephone application.

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.
How can I be removed from D&B's 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, request not to be listed when you are speaking with a D&B representative during your DUNS number telephone application.
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.

What information will I need to obtain a DUNS number?
You will need the following information to request a DUNS number:

a. Organization name
b. Organization address
c. Local telephone number
d. Name of CEO/Organization owner
e. Legal structure of the organization
f. Year the organization started
g. Primary line of business
h. Total number of employees

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. In the future, the government anticipates requiring all grant applicants to use CCR whether applying for grants electronically or otherwise.

Is there anything I should do before registering 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 tentative 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.

How do I register with CCR?
To register with CCR:

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

How long should I allow for a CCR registration?
If your organization already has an Employment Identification Number (EIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), then you should allow a minimum of five business days to complete the entire CCR registration. If your organization does not have an EIN or TIN, then you should allow two (2) weeks for obtaining the information from IRS when requesting the EIN or TIN via phone or Internet.

What is a Credential Provider?
A Credential Provider is an organization that verifies with certainty that an individual is who she/he claims to be. Grants.gov uses Operational Research Consultants (ORC) for this purpose. Once you are registered with the Credential Provider, you will receive a username and password which you will need to register with Grants.gov as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). As an AOR, you will be authorized to submit grant applications through Grants.gov on behalf of your organization.
Who is the E-Business Point of Contact?

The E-Business Point of Contact 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.

Where can I find grant opportunities?
To locate a grant opportunity, use the search options available on this site.

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 screen. Complete your search and click the “Submit” button. The results will display all applicable grants. The Funding Opportunity Number is listed on the “Results” screen and the CFDA Number is listed in the Grant Announcement.

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.

How do I apply for a grant?
Before applying for a grant, you must complete the five Get Started steps, 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

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 at your leisure and to distribute it around your organization to others who may assist you in preparing the application. Further, it prevents the need for a persistent Internet connection.

Do I have to submit a complete application, or may I send it in parts?
You must submit the complete application as you did during your original application process.

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.

What happens if I submit my application after the filing deadline?
Your application may or may not be accepted and processed by the Federal agency based on the policy of that particular agency. To determine the policy of the agency, contact the agency directly with the contact information provided in the application instructions.

When submitting an application, what is the difference between a submission receipt and a submission validation?
After an applicant submits and application, a submission receipt is generated and sent via email and also sets the application status to “Received”. This receipt verifies the Application has been successfully delivered to the system.
Next, the submission is valid dated 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, 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.
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?
In order to download application packages, you must first download and install the PureEdge viewer onto your computer. The question above indicates you do not have the PureEdge viewer downloaded and installed. Please confirm you have downloaded and installed the PureEdge Viewer. After verifying you have the PureEdge Viewer both downloaded 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 Pure Edge viewer 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 use the Firefox browser?
Internet Explorer is the recommended browser. Errors may be experienced with Firefox.

Remember: The Grant Resource Center stays up to date on the latest grant programs available so please check in regularly. We verify and update the information presented on a daily basis, so you will always have access to the most current information possible in one location. We're famillar with virtually every source of Federal and private grant money, so all you have to do is decide what type of grant you need and get started.