What is Grants.gov?

1. What is Grants.gov? An “electronic storefront” used to: • Find out about federal government funding opportunities • Locate grant application packages, including instructions and forms • Submit proposals to federal agencies

2. Step 1: Registering with Grants.gov • If you have never registered as an individual applicant, go to www.grants.gov and click “Get Registered” (left menu) • Click “Individual Registration” • Click “Register with Grants.gov” • Enter the funding opportunity number • Click “Register” • Complete the profile form and click “Submit” • Review your info, edit if necessary, and click “Confirm” • Create a username and password (passwords must contain at least one uppercase letter, one special character such as # or %, and one number) and click “Submit” • You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your registration.

3. Tips for Registration • You should register several weeks before the application deadline – now, if possible! • The Individual Registration User Guide is available at www.grants.gov/assets/IndvUserGuide.pdf . • You do not need to enter MHC’s DUNS # (066985714) to register as an individual (but may need this number later in the process). • If you have trouble with registration, contact the Grants.gov help desk at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

4. Step 2: Get the application forms • Click “Find Grant Opportunities ” on the left menu at Grants.gov and make note of the Funding Opportunity Number. • Click “Apply for Grants” on the left menu at Grants.gov and enter the Funding Opportunity Number. Download the Application package. • Enter your e-mail address to receive notification of any changes to the forms or process. • At this time you should take the opportunity to make sure you have a compatible version of Adobe Reader from www.adobe.com. Check compatibility here: http://www.grants.gov/help/download_software.jsp#adobe811 • You may use Adobe Acrobat Standard or Professional 8.1.1 or higher instead of Adobe Reader.

5. Step 4: Assembling the application • You will be working offline on the application until it is ready to upload and submit. • Use a compatible version of Adobe Reader every time you work on your application package. • You can work on your application on a PC or a Mac.

6. Compatibility for submission • You can use a PC running Windows 2000 with Service Pack 2, Windows XP Professional or Home Edition, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition or Vista. • Compatible non-Windows operating systems include Mac OS X v.10.5 or earlier, including Tiger and Leopard. • The compatible browser is Internet Explorer. You will experience errors with Firefox or other browsers.

7. 5. Submitting the application • IMPORTANT: To avoid technical problems, or resolve any that occur, plan to submit your application at least a week before the deadline. • First, open Internet Explorer (IE). Note: Firefox may be the default browser on your computer, but all PCs should have IE also. If you don’t have IE on your computer, you should use a computer located in the faculty development area of LITS/The MEWS on the main floor of Dwight Hall and submit from there. • Minimize the browser window • Open your application package • Click “Check Package for Errors” and make any necessary corrections • Click “Save” – this activates the “Save and Submit” button

8. Next steps • Now click “Save and Submit.” You will be connected automatically to the internet via Internet Explorer. • Enter your Grants.gov username and password. Click “Login.” • A security warning pop-up box will appear. Click “Allow.” • The submission verification and signature page will appear. Click “Sign and Submit Application” • Another security warning pop-up box will appear. Click “Allow.” Your application will now be uploaded to Grants.gov. • Wait until you receive e-mail confirmation of submission (generally within 2 minutes) before exiting the program.

9. If something goes wrong • If you receive an error message, you must correct any errors before the application deadline. • Contact the Grants.gov help desk for support if you encounter a technical problem of any kind during submission. The help desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except on federal holidays) at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

10. Confirmation messages • You will receive 4 e-mail messages. The first three are from Grants.gov and normally arrive within 24 hours of submission. All contain your Grants.gov tracking number. • Grants.gov Submission Receipt • Grants.gov Submission Validation (or Rejection with Errors) • Grants.gov Grantor Agency Retrieval Receipt The fourth is from the federal agency to which you applied for funding. It will arrive within 10 business days. It will contain your tracking number. • Save and print all these messages.

11. MHC Resources Mary Caris Coordinator of Sponsored Research Office of the Dean of Faculty x2867 mcaris@mtholyoke.edu Tara Fitzpatrick Director of Foundation Relations and Sponsored Research Office of Development x2005 tfitzpat@mtholyoke.edu M. J. Maccardini Associate Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations Office of Development x2764 mjmaccar@mtholyoke.edu