Download these tips

Note: Please also review the OSP Submission Guidelines for electronic submissions.

1. The University of Northern Iowa is registered with Grants.gov.  Edward M. Ebert, Office of Sponsored Programs Grants and Contracts Administrator, is designated as the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR).

2. Registration by individual faculty and staff PIs and PDs with grants.gov is not necessary.  (However, you may need to be registered by OSP with the individual funding agency, such as with the NIH eraCommons.  If so, contact Anita Kleppe, OSP Grant Specialist, at anita.kleppe@uni.edu.)

3. The PureEdge Viewer is needed to download and prepare applications.  Go to http://www.grants.gov/resources/download_software.jsp#pureedge to download this free software.

4. The next step is to go to https://apply.grants.gov/forms_apps_idx.html and download an application package and instructions for a specific program.  If OSP staff has done this for you, skip to Tip# 7.

5. You will need the CFDA #, Funding Opportunity #, or Funding Opportunity Competition ID to find a program.

6. If unknown, conduct a search using other criteria on Grants.gov. at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/search_opportunities.jsp

7. Save the application package and instructions to your computer. 

8. The application package is designed to be worked on off-line.  Once the package is saved to your computer, it can be worked on and saved at your convenience.  All mandatory fields must be filled-in properly or submission will not be permitted.

9. Print out the instructions for reference.  They are specific to each program. 

10. Always prepare the SF424 application first.  Information entered will populate in other forms.

11. After all forms are completed properly, the SUBMIT button will activate, and you are ready for the UNI Authorized Organizational Representative to submit the application.

12. Forward the completed application file as an email attachment to a Grant Specialist in the Office of Sponsored Programs for a Required Electronic File Review (Anita Kleppe or Brande Orr. Grant Specialists must also complete a Required Budget Review.See OSP Submission Guidelines for electronic submissions.

13. Complete an internal Proposal Routing and Approval Form and obtain appropriate approval signatures.

14. Mail or hand deliver the Routing Form with original signatures to the Grant Specialist with whom you are working. A faxed (273-2634) or an emailed scanned attachment copy of the completed and signed Routing Form may precede the original form in order to expedite submission of the Grants.gov application. 

15. The Grant Specialist will arrange a submission appointment with the Grants & Contracts Administrator for final approval. When the internal review is complete as evidenced by the signed Routing Form, completed Electronic File Review and completed Required Budget Review, the Grants & Contracts Administrator will formally transmit the application via Grants.gov.  Grants.gov will validate the proposal and forward it to the federal agency.  A second validation check may be undertaken by the funding agency. 

16. A confirmation will be sent by email to the AOR when submission is successful. 

To Produce and Save Files Efficiently for Emailing and Submission

• Grants.gov does not restrict the type of files (Word, Excel, PDF, etc.) that may be saved and uploaded.  However, some federal agencies may limit file types, so check instructions carefully.  PDF files seem to be the type most uniformly accepted. 
  
• Scanned documents should be in black and white when possible.