Grants.gov Help Resources
Help on your Grants.gov user folders and how to use them can be found here
Help on how to link to your user folders on a Mac and PC, including help using Grants.gov with non-Windows machines (Mac, etc), can be found here
The following help documents are also accessible from within your Grants.gov user folder by clicking on the shortcut called “Help Resources”, or you can just click on the links below to get to the correct document.
• 12_05_2006_Electronic_Submission.ppt (MS PowerPoint)
This PowerPoint presentation, given by staff at Grants.gov and NIH, is a good overview of the electronic submission process, walks you through the SF424 (R&R) application, and identifies training tools and help documents.
• Avoiding_PDF_problems.pdf (Adobe PDF)
This Adobe PDF document gives important guidelines on how to avoid problems when attaching PDFs to Grants.gov applications, including file-naming conventions and very useful tips and tricks
• BUMC Institutional data for the SF424 (website)
This website shows the BUMC-specific institutional data for the SF424. These fields MUST be entered as designated to be accepted by Grants.gov for a BUMC submission. A PI can opt to fill out the SF424 themselves using the helpful information shown in this document. Alternatively, a PI can drop the Grants.gov PureEdge application that they have downloaded from Grants.gov into the “IN” folder within their “Working” folder, and these standard fields will be populated for them. There is a 2 hour turn-around time for this process. Once completed, the application will be moved to the ‘OUT’ folder.
• Check NIH Submission Status (website)
This website has info on checking the status of a submission to Grants.gov, as well as checking status with eRA Commons, if applicable. There is also information on what email notifications will be generated by Grants.gov and eRA Commons, and what happens when an application needs to be submitted to Grants.gov a second time.
• Electronic Submission Timeline (website)
This website shows the complete NIH Transition plan for which types of applications must go through Grants.gov and on which date that will occur. There are target dates specified for AID and non-AID applications.
• FAQs All phases of Electronic Submissions (website)
This website is a comprehensive frequently asked question site covering preparing to apply for a grant, finding opportunities and downloading application packages, preparing the application (including the SF424), and submitting the application. It includes helpful advice on software and hardware requirements, policies, attachments, PDFs, multiple PIs, page limitations, submissions deadlines, late applications and other info.
• FAQs on the Usage of Person Months (website)
This Grants.gov website contains frequently asked questions regarding the usage of person months, which is the new convention of effort on the SF424. It includes the definition of person months, how they are calculated, enforcement by NIH, how to show partial months, dealing with VA appointments, etc. Please note the related tool below, the person_months_conversion_chart – a Microsoft Excel document.
• FAQs Prepare Application (website)
This Grants.gov website is specifically targeting the frequently asked question on preparing the Grants.gov submission, including filling out the SF424, completing the budget, person months, attachments and appendices, PDFs, multiple PIs, page limitations, the cover page and application checks (validations). A a more comprehensive FAQ is: FAQs All phases of Electronic Submissions
• Free PDF Tools (website)
This website contains information on two recommended free PDF creators and two free Web Services which provide PDF conversion. We have created instructions on using each PDF writer and briefly highlight the positives and negatives of each. You can also use Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Elements, which are NOT free.
• Grants.gov Avoiding Common Errors (website)
This website is a VERY useful tool on how to avoid common errors with Grants.gov and NIH submissions. This is very important to review before your first submission.
• Grants.gov Software Download Page (website)
This website contains versions of the PureEdge Application Viewer for PC and non-PC users, outlines what solutions are available for Mac users, discusses system requirements and download/installation tips.
• NIH 424 Validations for Grants.gov (website)
This is a rather detailed website outlining the validations that are required in the new SF424, including error messages, notes and tips.
• NIH SF424 Instructions and Version info (website)
This website contains detailed information on the new versions of the SF424, which has replaced the PHS 398. It contains several sample applications (modular, non-modular, SBIR, STTR, etc), special forms that may be required and very detailed instructions.
• person_months_conversion_chart.xls (MS excel)
This Microsoft Excel document will facilitate converting from percent effort to the new SF424 standard – person months. See related info above: FAQs on the Usage of Person Months.
• Submission Deadline Countdown Chart (website)
This important website illustrates the electronic submission countdown for a particular application. It covers the relative dates for items such as when an opportunity gets posted, when the submission should take place, the time that Grants.gov and (if applicable) eRA Commons will take to process the application, when NIH will allow some flexibility in resubmissions without late penalties, and when all phases must be complete to be on time.
• Training on Grants.gov, SF 424 and checking status (website)
This website covers training resources on the submission of Grants.gov applications, including streaming video, download-and-save offline format, podcasts and PDF transcripts. It includes dedicated elements on registering with eRA Commons, finding an application package, process overview, completing the application forms, review of the new SF424, checking status and viewing your application, and getting used to eRA Commons.
• System-to-System Conference (website)
This PowerPoint presentation was given by a number of professionals at grants.gov in 2007. It is a synopsis of system-to-system communication.
• Grants.gov Frequently Asked Questions (website)
This is the overall Frequently Asked Question site for grants.gov. There are links within it for General FAQs, Applicant FAQs, Submit Application FAQs, Agency FAQs, Public Law 106-107 FAQs, Adobe and PureEdge FAQs.
• Grants.gov Forms Repository (website)
This is a repository of forms that are used by institutions for grants.gov applications. There are links to a half dozen SF-424 forms – each form includes the Application Coversheet, Application Forms, Form Data Analysis Templates, and Form Schema.
