Agency Information

National Science Foundation (NSF)

NSF currently uses their Fastlane system for electronic submissions. Prior to starting the proposal, a PI must be registered in Fastlane. RSP can process the registration once the PI completes the Fastlane Registration form and submits it to RSP electronically.

The NSF Grant Proposal Guide provides information on writing the proposal and well as instructions for completing the required forms and submission process.

This NSF Budget worksheet has built-in formulas to help as you develop your budget.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The majority of agencies within the NIH currently utilize the Grants.gov system for electronic submissions. Prior to starting a proposal, the PI must be registered with NIH. RSP can process the registration once the PI completes the NIH Registration form and submits it to RSP electronically.

Grants.gov (Update as of 2/11/2009)

The Grants.gov submission system is currently experiencing significant capacity problems. These problems stem from the system’s inability to process ever larger numbers of submissions as additional federal agencies require submission through this system. As a result, universities across the nation are having difficulties logging into the system. If they are able to log in they are unable to submit, and if they are able to submit they do not receive a grants.gov tracking number – required for a submission to be considered submitted “on time” by the posted deadline. It is taking 3-7 days of continual attempts to submit to receive the tracking number prior to the posted deadline for grant opportunities.

If the proposal does not get processed through the system (assigned a Grants.gov tracking number) prior to the posted deadline, it will be considered “late” and not accepted for review. There are no allowances made for system problems. The Grants.gov and agency stance is that we have been advised the system is overloaded and having problems, so it is the PI/institution's fault if the proposal is not processed due to system problems.

Therefore the following process is recommended and requested:

PIs should contact RSP (438-2528 or researchoffice@ilstu.edu) for an appointment to come in to review the appropriate Grants.gov submission package forms and requirements as soon as they think they might submit.
As work on the submission progresses, PIs should email the application package to their contact in RSP so review can begin on sections as they are completed. If the application package becomes too large to email to RSP, it may be sent to RSP on a flashdrive.
1 week prior to the posted grant proposal deadline the PI must bring the completed Grants.gov proposal application package and the completed RSP Proposal Submission Form to RSP for review.
Proposals must be submitted by the ISU internal deadline to insure that RSP has adequate time to review the proposal.
Failure to submit a Grants.gov proposal to RSP by the internal deadline may result in the rejection of your proposal due to errors or omissions or Grants.gov overload.

Contact Research and Sponsored Programs (438-2528) as soon as you believe you will be applying for a federal grant through grants.gov.

Check the Grants.gov Web site for updates on software and compatibility issues before you download an application package and begin to fill it out.

Required Software: In order to view and fill out grant application packages, Grants.gov requires specific software to be installed on the preparer’s computer. These are available free from the Grants.gov Web site.