Once you complete your mandatory registrations, you can begin the application process.
What should I do before I apply?
Review your application thoroughly before you submit it via grants.gov. You can’t make edits after submitting it to us.
- Ensure correct spelling and calculations.
- Adhere to page limits, font and file-type requirements
- Include all required documents in the order the NOFO specifies.
- Address all the criteria against which we will score your proposal.
Don't wait until the last minute to submit. Review our policy on late submissions*.
When should I apply?
You must apply before the deadline. We recommend applying well in advance of the deadline.
Why should I apply way before the deadline?
Grants.gov may reject your application due to errors. If that occurs, you must correct the errors and resubmit your application before the deadline.
We'll only consider you for funding if Grants.gov confirms that your application is error-free on or before the deadline.
Where do you list the due date?
- On the cover page of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
- In Section IV ("Submission Dates and Times") of the NOFOs
What time must I apply by on that day?
The standard deadline time is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. This may vary – always refer to the specific NOFO.
What happens after I apply?
After you apply via grants.gov, your application goes through the following process:
Application screening
We screen your application.
- It must be complete.
- It must show your organization is eligible.
- It must be responsive.
- We must receive it on time.
Note: If your application is ineligible, incomplete, non-responsive, or late, it will not undergo technical review. And we won't consider it for funding.
Technical review
A panel of independent experts reviews your application.
- Each reviewer reads between six to eight applications.
- Reviewers score your application based on evaluation criteria we outline in the NOFO.
- The review panel develops consensus statements identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each application.
Note: If your application undergoes a technical review, we'll give you a summary of the strengths, weaknesses, and comments after we make awards.
Award determination
Using input from the technical review, we determine who will receive awards.
- Ensure financial viability and compliance with program requirements.
- We make final decisions on or before the program start date.
What happens once you determine awards?
We issue a Notice of Award (NoA) for each application we select for funding.
The NoA lays out
- Project and budget period
- Amount of federal assistance
- Award terms and conditions
- Reporting requirements
The NoA explains how we monitor your grant. Find out how we expect awardees to manage their grant.
Why is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office contacting me?
Your application isn't exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Anyone can request it. If this happens, our FOIA office may contact you. You can tell us what information you'd like withheld.
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