Grants.gov is the central application and information resource for Federal grant programs. Be sure to read program announcements carefully (whether you find them on Grants.gov or an agency's own web site) to determine if submission via Grants.gov is required.

Important Notes:

In most cases, federal funding agencies require the College's Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) to submit applications via Grants.gov (therefore, PIs do not need to register). Exceptions include the NEH Fellowship and Summer Stipend applications.
Send your completed Grants.gov application package to CFGR at least five business days before the deadline, since your application must be validated by both Grants.gov and the agency. This also allows time to correct any error found after submission but before the deadline.

Install Software:

Grants.gov currently recommends downloading both PureEdge and Adobe Reader 8.1.1 (current standard version for Grants.gov). In the future, Grants.gov will transition to using Adobe Reader exclusively.
To view system requirements and download software, click here.

Find and Download the Application:

Go to www.grants.govand click on "Apply for Grants" in the left-hand column.
Use one of the search options (http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp) to locate the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and/or CFDA number of the grant opportunity in which you're interested.
Download the unique application package for your opportunity by clicking here (https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms_apps_idx.html) and entering the FON or CFDA number in the appropriate field.

Complete the Application Package:

An application package is composed of both mandatory and optional forms. Required fields that are standard for all agencies are highlighted in yellow; however, you must read the application instructions for your specific grant opportunity, which may indicate additional required fields that are not highlighted.
To work on a form, highlight it and then click "Open Form." Use the "Next" button to navigate forms with multiple pages.
Be sure to click the "Save" button as you add information since the application package does NOT automatically save changes.
When you complete a form, move it to the right-hand side under "Mandatory Completed Documents for Submission."
Click "Check Package for Errors" to see if you have failed to complete a required field.
Send the completed application to CFGR for submission.

NSF FastLane

NOTE: Read your program announcement carefully to determine whether your grant proposal should be submitted via FastLane or Grants.gov. The CFGR office is the Sponsored Research Office (SRO), which submits all NSF proposals.

First step for first-time users: contact Tania Johnson (tjohnso2@swarthmore.edu) (x5713; 214 Parrish) to sign up as a new user to FastLane. This takes only a few minutes and will allow you access to the site. You can then choose a password to access your account, either as Principal Investigator or as Co-Principal Investigator.
To prepare your proposal on FastLane, log into the site and click on "Proposals, Awards, & Status." Then click on the "Proposal Preparation" link and follow the instructions.
In order for CFGR to submit your proposal, you must give us "SRO access" to the proposal. When you access the FastLane web site, at the "Proposal Forms Preparation" function, you will click on the "Allow SRO Access" button and choose the "Allow SRO to view, edit and submit proposal" access level. The system then sends Tania an email that lets her know you are ready to submit your proposal. (You can still edit your proposal after giving "SRO permission" to submit it.)
Make an appointment on the day you would like to submit your proposal. We will check to be sure all of the forms have been completed, and if
everything is in order, will submit the proposal for you. After submission, we will notify the Provost's office, and they will sign electronically as "Authorized Organizational Representative." The newly submitted proposal will now be listed under "Submitted Proposals." A Proposal ID will be assigned, and e-mails will be sent to all SRO representatives, as well as the PI of the proposal.

Government Grant Policies and Resources

Agency Information

SwarthmoreCollegeInstructions for Preparation/Submission of Electronic Grant Proposals

National Science Foundation (NSF)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

Swarthmore College Instructions for Preparation/Submission of Electronic Grant Proposals

Grants.gov

NSF FastLane

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