GRANTS.GOV
A New Way of Applying for Federal GrantsWhat is
Grants.gov?
Grants.gov simplifies the grants management process and creates a
centralized, online process to find and apply for over 900 grant
programs from the 26 federal grant-making agencies. This program is
one of the federal cross-agency E-Government initiatives focused on
improving access to services via the Internet. The vision of
Grants.gov is to be a simple, unified source to electronically find,
apply, and manage grant opportunities.
Why was Grants.gov developed?
It was developed in response to the requirement to streamline the
federal grantsmaking process prescribed by Public Law 106-107 of
1999. Grants.gov is scheduled to be the mandatory grants submission
vehicle for all federal grants by middle to late 2007.
How does Sponsored Awards Management (SAM) plan to implement
Grants.gov?
SAM is the designated Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR)
for the University and approves all proposals. Grants.gov requires
the AOR (SAM) to submit all proposals on behalf of the University.
Electronic validation built into the Grants.gov system requires
perfection of format and form at the time of proposal submission.
This changes a USC business practice by removing a great deal of
flexibility and intervention from both the sender and the receiver
of the proposal. In order to ensure timely submission of Grants.gov
proposals, SAM must adjust the internal guidelines for proposal
routing.
- NIH has a published transition schedule, however other federal
agencies are somewhat less clear as to their ramp-up.
- Mandatory for submission of federal grant proposals.
- Proposals are created on individual PI’s computer rather than on a
sponsor’s server.
- Users must download PureEdge software to their computer to
complete the Grants.gov application package. PIs will need PDF file
creator software on their computer. May require change in
dept/college policies regarding software download.
- COMPLETE FINAL versions of proposals must be received in SAM four
(4) working days prior to sponsor’s deadline to guarantee successful
submission to sponsor.
SAM will always work with faculty to process exceptions and attempt
to submit all proposals by the sponsor’s deadline, but this four-day
requirement is what we predict is necessary for review, data entry,
and submission. Adherence to this four-day rule is necessary for SAM
to guarantee successful proposal submission.
How will SAM prepare faculty for
Change?
While the goals of the grants.gov website are to simplify the grants
management process and create a centralized online process to find
and apply for federal grant programs, like all new electronic
systems it can be difficult to navigate at first.
To help faculty and staff experience a smoother transition into
using grants.gov, the Office of Research Development has created an
e-learning course on grants.gov. Instruction includes finding grant
opportunities, downloading and completing grants.gov application
packages. E-learning allows participants to complete the course at a
time that is convenient for them. The course is offered as both a
complete course, and as individual modules to allow faculty and
staff to easily find instruction for specific questions.
SAM will continually notify faculty of grants.gov updates through
the Research Development ListServ and via notices on the USCeRA
webpage.
For more information contact:
|
