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ACF Grant Opportunities

Electronic Submission Instructions

Applicants to ACF may submit their applications in either electronic or paper format. To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.gov site.

When using www.Grants.gov, applicants will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the www.Grants.gov site.  ACF will not accept grant applications via facsimile or email.

Acceptable electronic formats for the application attachments (narratives, charts, etc.) must use the following standard technologies, i.e., Microsoft (Word and Excel), Word Perfect, Adobe PDF, Jpeg, and Gif.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Before submitting an electronic application, applicants must complete the organization registration process as well as obtain and register "electronic signature credentials" for the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR).   Since this process may take more than five business days, it is important to start this process early, well in advance of the application deadline. Be sure to complete all www.Grants.gov registration processes listed on the attached Organization Registration Checklist, which can be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/registration_checklist.html.

Please note the following if planning to submit an application electronically via www.Grants.gov:

  • Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly encouraged.
  • Applicants may access the electronic application for this program at http://www.Grants.gov. There applicants can search for the downloadable application package by utilizing the www.Grants.gov FIND function.
  • It is strongly recommended that applicants do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through www.Grants.gov.  Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date and time so that if difficulties are encountered there will still be sufficient time to submit a hard copy via express mail. It is to an applicant's advantage to submit 24 hours ahead of the closing date and time in order to address any difficulties that may be encountered.
  • To use www.Grants.gov, the applicant must have a D-U-N-S number and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). Applicants should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration.  REMINDER: CCR registration expires each year and thus must be updated annually. Applicants cannot upload an application to Grants.gov without having a current CCR registration AND electronic signature credentials for the AOR.
  • The electronic application is submitted by the AOR.  To submit electronically, the AOR must obtain and register electronic signature credentials approved by the organization's E-Business Point of Contact who maintains the organization's CCR registration.  
  • Applicants may submit all documents electronically, including all information typically included on the SF-424 and all necessary assurances and certifications.
  • Though applying electronically, the application must still comply with any page limitation requirements described in this program announcement.
  • After the application is submitted electronically, the applicant will receive an automatic acknowledgement from www.Grants.gov that contains a www.Grants.gov tracking number.  ACF will retrieve the electronically submitted application from www.Grants.gov.
  • ACF may request that the applicant provide original signatures on forms at a later date.
  • Applicants will not receive additional point value for submitting a grant application in electronic format, nor will ACF penalize an applicant if they submit an application in hard copy.
  • If any difficulties are encountered in using www.Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov Help Desk at: 1-800-518-4726, or by email at support@grants.gov to report the problem and obtain assistance.
  • Checklists and registration brochures are maintained to assist applicants in the registration process and may be found at: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
  • When submitting electronically via www.Grants.gov, applicants must comply with all due dates AND times referenced in Section IV.3. Submission Dates and Times.
  • The Grants.gov website complies with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Grants.gov webpages are designed to work with assistive technologies such as screen readers. If an applicant uses assistive technology and is unable to access any material on the site, ACF encourages you to email the www.Grants.gov contact center at support@grants.gov.
    [Grants.gov employs the PureEdge Viewer 6.0 for viewing and completing application forms. Grants.gov-sponsored testing of the PureEdge Viewer demonstrated the Viewer's compatibility with the widely used Jaws screen reader. An enhanced version of the PureEdge Viewer that will include compatibility with a broader range of screen reader products through support for industry standard interfaces for accessibility is in the process of being tested and upon successful completion of testing will be posted to the site.]

Applicants must demonstrate proof of non-profit status before the award date. We strongly suggest that you attach it with your electronic application. For electronic application “proof of non-profit status” and any other required documentation may be scanned and attached as an “Other Attachment.” Proof of non-profit status is stated in the full announcement.

 

Organization Registration Checklist

The following checklist provides registration guidance for a company, institution, state, local or tribal government, or other type of organization. The registration process is a one-time process, which is required before representatives of an organization can submit grant application packages electronically through Grants.gov. The registration process can take three to five days depending on your organization. The CCR registration information should be updated annually. Click here for PDF Version.

Grants.gov Registration Checklist What is the purpose of this step? How long should it take? Completed?
1.    Has my organization identified its DUNS Number?
  • Ask the grant administrator, chief financial officer, or authorizing official of your organization to identify your DUNS number.

  • If your organization does not know its DUNS Number, call Dun & Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711 and follow the automated prompts to find this information.
  • The Federal government has adopted the use of DUNS numbers to track how federal grant money is allocated.

  • DUNS Numbers identify your organization.
  • Same Day.

  • You will receive DUNS Number information at the conclusion of the phone call.
2.    Has my organization registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)?
  • Ask the grant administrator, chief financial officer, or authorizing official of your organization if your organization has registered with the CCR.

  • If your organization is not registered, you can apply by phone (1-888-227-2423) or register online at http://www.ccr.gov.

  • CCR has developed a worksheet/checklist (7-page PDF) to help you with the process, which can be accessed at http://www.ccr.gov/CCRRegTemplate.pdf.

  • When your organization registers with the CCR, you will be required to designate an E-Business Point of Contact (E-Business POC). This person will be given a special password called an “M-PIN”. This password gives him or her sole authority to designate which staff members from your organization are allowed to submit applications electronically through Grants.gov.

  • Staff members from your organization designated to submit applications are called Authorized Organization Representatives (AORs)

  • If your E-Business POC has forgotten the M-PIN password, call 1-888-227-2423.

  • The E-Business Point of Contact will need to know the M-PIN within the CCR Profile in order to be able to login at Grants.gov.

  • Use the worksheet located on the CCR website (http://www.ccr.gov/CCRRegTemplate.pdf) to aid you with the CCR registration. Your organization can apply by phone: 1-888-227-2423 or you may register online at http://www.ccr.gov.
  • Designating an E-Business Point of Contact safeguards organizations from individuals who may attempt to submit grant application packages without permission.

  • Registering with the CCR is required for organizations to use Grants.gov.
  • 1-3 days to gather the internal organization information and prepare the application.

  • 2-3 days from the point of submitting the CCR Registration.

  • The reason for the 2-3 day delay is due to security information that needs to be mailed to the organization.
3.    Have the AORs who officially submit applications on behalf of your organization registered with the Credential Provider to obtain a unsername and password?
  • AORs must register with the Credential Provider to obtain their usernames and passwords at https://apply.grants.gov/OrcRegister.

  • After your organization registers with the CCR, AORs must wait 3 business days before they can obtain their usernames and passwords.
  • Receive a username and password to submit applications through Grants.gov

  • AOR usernames and passwords serve as “electronic signatures” when your organization submits applications on Grants.gov.
  • Same Day.

  • AORs will receive a username and password when they submit the information.
4.    Have those individuals who will officially submit applications on behalf of the organization registered with Grants.gov for an account?
  • AORs must register with Grants.gov for an account at https://apply.grants.gov/GrantsgovRegister. They will need to enter the username and password they received when they registered with the Credential Provider (obtained in Step 3).
  • This creates an account on Grants.gov that allows AORs to submit application son behalf of the organization and track the status of submitted applications.
  • Same Day.

  • AORs will be registered when they submit the information.
5.    Has my E-Business Point of Contact (POC) approved AORs to submit applications on behalf of the organization?
  • When an AOR registers with Grants.gov, your organization’s E-Business POC will receive an email notification.

  • Your E-Business POC must then log into Grants.gov (using the organization’s DUNS number for the username and the “M-PIN” password obtained in Step 2) and approve the AOR, thereby giving him or her permission to submit applications: https://www.grants.gov/ForEbiz. (You will only be able to log into the EBiz section of Grants.gov, after an individual from your organization registers with Grants.gov.)

  • When an E--Business POC approves an AOR, Grants.gov will send the AOR confirmation e-mail

  • AORs can also log in to the Applicant home page at http://www.grants.gov/ForApplicants using their username and password (obtained in Step 3) to check if they have been approved.
  • Only the E-Business POC can approve AORs.

  • This allows your organization to authorize specific staff members to submit grants.
  • Depends on how long it takes the E-Business POC to log in and approve the AOR.

  • AORs can also log into Grants.gov to check if they have been approved.