FAQ

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How do I get started?
Getting started:

 

• Step 1 – Download Grant Secrets Exposed and read
• Step 2 – Decide what Grants to which you will Apply
• Step 3 – Use the Application Tutor and fill out your Applications
• Step 4 – Register with Credential Provider
• Step 5 – Register with Grants.gov or the Foundation Center.

 

How do I download Grant Secrets Exposed?

Click here to download Grant Secrets Exposed

What is a DUNS number?
A DUNS number is a unique nine-character identification number provided by the commercial company Dun & Bradstreet (D&B).

Must I provide a DUNS number?
Only if you are applying for grant funding on behalf of an organization. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that there is a need for improved statistical reporting of Federal grants. OMB has adopted the use of the DUNS number as a way to identify organizations that receive grant awards and to track how grants money is dispersed.

How do I get a DUNS number?
By asking the chief financial officer, grant administrator or authorizing official of your organization to register for a DUNS number. Requesting a DUNS number is quick and easy. You can request and register for a DUNS number online via web registration. The process can take up to 48 hours to complete. As a result of obtaining a DUNS number, you have the option to be included on D&B’s marketing list that is sold to other companies. If you do not want your name/organization included on this marketing list, request not to be listed when you are speaking with a D&B representative during your DUNS number telephone application.

How can I find out if my organization already has a DUNS number?
If you are not sure if your organization already has a DUNS number, first consult your organization’s business office, chief financial officer, grant administrator or authorizing official.

Can I be removed from D&B’s marketing list?
Yes, when you receive a DUNS number you have the option to be included on D&B’s marketing list that is sold to other companies. If you do not want your name/organization included on this marketing list, request not to be listed when you are speaking with a D&B representative during your DUNS number telephone application.

How much does it cost to register for a DUNS number?
Nothing, registering for the DUNS number is free of charge. Dun & Bradstreet offers additional products and services, which they may suggest that you purchase, however, you do not need to do so.

What does it take to get a DUNS number?
What does it take to get a DUNS number?
You will need the following information to request a DUNS number:

 

• Organization name
• Organization address
• Local telephone number
• Name of CEO/Organization owner
• Legal structure of the organization
• Year the organization started
• Primary line of business
• Total number of employees

 

Is it important to register with Central Contractor Registration (CCR)?
Yes, CCR is a government-wide registry for vendors doing business with the Federal government. Grants.gov has used CCR to establish roles and IDs for those electronically applying for grants. In the future, the government anticipates requiring all grant applicants to use CCR whether applying for grants electronically or otherwise.

What do I need to do before registering with CCR?
Before registering with CCR, you need to have a DUNS number. It is very important that your registration with the IRS for your Employment Identification Number (EIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is confirmed. Once you receive a letter from the IRS confirming your EIN or TIN, then you may register with CCR. Note, it will take 24-48 hours for IRS to validate your TIN. According to the IRS, when applying for an EIN over the phone or Internet, you will be given a tentative EIN, but your EIN may not become active for up to two (2) weeks. If you have questions about your EIN, please call 1-800-829-4933. If you apply for an EIN by mail, confirmation from the IRS can take up to 5 weeks. In addition, you should review the Tutorial topic “Registering with CCR” for more details about some of the information you will be required to provide.

CCR Registration, where do I begin?

To register with CCR:

1. Go to the CCR website
2. Click the Start New Registration link
3. Complete the Registration Worksheet
4. Complete the Registration Acknowledgement and Point of Contact Information

How long does it take to get registered for CCR?
If your organization already has an Employment Identification Number (EIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), then you should allow a minimum of five business days to complete the entire CCR registration. If your organization does not have an EIN or TIN, then you should allow two (2) weeks for obtaining the information from IRS when requesting the EIN or TIN via phone or Internet.

What is a Credential Provider?
A Credential Provider is an organization that verifies with certainty that an individual is who she/he claims to be. Grants.gov uses Operational Research Consultants (ORC) for this purpose. Once you are registered with the Credential Provider, you will receive a username and password which you will need to register with Grants.gov as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). As an AOR, you will be authorized to submit grant applications through Grants.gov on behalf of your organization.

What is Operational Research Consultants (ORC)?
Operational Research Consultants (ORC) is the Credential Provider for Grants.gov. A Credential Provider is an organization that verifies that an individual, with certainty, is who she/he claims to be. Once you are registered with ORC, the Grants.gov Credential Provider, you will receive a username and password, which you will need to register with Grants.gov as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). As an AOR, you will be authorized to submit grant applications through Grants.gov on behalf of your organization.

How do I reset my Operational Research Consultants (ORC) password?
ORC passwords can be reset online here.

Who is the E-Business Point of Contact?
The E-Business Point of Contact is identified by the organization when they register with the CCR. When a user registers with Grants.gov, the CCR E-Business Point of Contact person will be notified via email that someone from their organization has requested Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) privileges. (An AOR privilege allows a user to submit an application on behalf of the organization.) The CCR E-Business Point of Contact person will logon to Grants.gov and determine if the user should be granted AOR privileges. The CCR E-Business Point of Contact will notify the user once privileges have been assigned. Until the user is granted AOR privileges, they cannot submit an application.

Where can I find grant opportunities?
What is a Funding Opportunity or CFDA Number for a grant and how do I find it? To locate a Funding Opportunity or CFDA Number, you will need to perform a search for a grant. Use the search options available on the Quick Search menu. The results will display all applicable grants. The Funding Opportunity Number is listed on the left side of the screen under ID and the CFDA Number is listed in the Grant Announcement. Click Here.

What do I need to record from a grant search in order to apply for an opportunity?
You will need to record the Funding Opportunity Number and/or CFDA Number of an opportunity for which you want to apply.

How do I apply for a grant?
Before applying for a grant, you must complete the five Get Started steps, locate a grant opportunity for which you want to apply and record the opportunity’s Funding Opportunity Number and/or CFDA Number.

When you are ready to apply, complete the following steps:

 

• Step 1 – Go to the Application Tutor
• Step 2 – Complete the Application according to the Template
• Step 3 – Submit the Application

 

As an individual, how can I apply for Federal or State grants, assistance, or benefits?
First, it is important to realize the difference between organizational and individual grant applicants. An organizational grant applicant is defined as an applicant who is submitting a grant on behalf of a company, state, local or tribal government, academia, or other type of organization. An individual grant applicant is defined as an applicant who is submitting a grant on their behalf, and not on behalf of a company, state, local or tribal government, academia, or other type of organization. An individual grant applicant can now use Grants.gov to search and apply for, as well as to submit grants.

Why must I use the Application Tutor?
Using the application tutor gives you the ability to complete the forms efficiently. It consists of 3 easy to follow steps that lead to a correct application.

 

• Search for the Grants you want
• Fill out a letter of inquiry to verify availability
• Apply and succeed

 

Further, it prevents the need for a persistent Internet connection.

Do I have to submit a complete application, or may I send it in parts?
You must submit the complete application.

How do I know if the grantor agency has retrieved my application?
If your application is successfully validated and subsequently retrieved by the grantor agency from the Grants.gov system, you will receive an additional email. This email may be delivered several days or weeks from the date of submission, depending on when the grantor agency retrieves it. Note that once the grantor agency has retrieved your application from Grants.gov, you will need to contact them directly for any subsequent status updates. Grants.gov does not participate in making any award decisions.

What happens if I submit my application after the filing deadline?
Your application may or may not be accepted and processed by the Federal agency based on the policy of that particular agency. To determine the policy of the agency, contact the agency directly with the contact information provided in the application instructions.

When submitting an application, what is the difference between a submission receipt and a submission validation?
After an applicant submits and application, a submission receipt is generated and sent via email and also sets the application status to “Received”. This receipt verifies the Application has been successfully delivered to the system.

Next, the submission is validated by ensuring it does not contain viruses, the opportunity is still open, and the applicant login and applicant DUNS number match. If the submission is valid, A submission validation receipt via email and sets the application status to “Validated”.

If the application is not validated, the application status is set to “Rejected”. The system sends a rejection email notification to the applicant and the applicant must resubmit the application package.

Why am I getting error messages and incomplete search results?
Internet Explorer is the recommended browser. Errors may be experienced with Firefox due to compatibility issues with Grants.gov.