Grants.gov Registration and Tips

Grants.gov Registration

You must register with Grants.gov before submitting your application. Click here to learn more about the multistep registration process. It generally cannot be completed in a single day. If you are not already registered, you should allow at least two weeks to complete this one-time process. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE WEEK OF THE APPLICATION DEADLINE TO REGISTER.

Before submitting an application, your organization must have a current and active D-U-N-S® Number, SAM registration and Grants.gov registration. Check your materials and registrations well in advance of the application deadline to ensure that they are accurate, current, and active.

Tips for Working with Grants.gov

1. Start early! Click here to learn more about Grants.gov resources, which include checklists, FAQs, and online tutorials to assist you in preparing your organization to submit applications.

2. You must designate at least one Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) to use Grants.gov. Consider designating more than one AOR when you register. This will help to avoid last-minute crises in the event that your one AOR is unavailable when you are ready to submit your application. Also, you should update the AOR at Grants.gov when staff at your organization changes.

3. Make effective technological choices.

• Download the most recent version of Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® onto your computer for best results. Make sure to submit all documents in Adobe® PDF format.
• Follow the instructions in the Grant Guidelines to convert your documents into PDFs. Click here to learn more PDF conversion programs.
• Use Internet Explorer® for your browser when submitting the application to Grants.gov. Click here for more information about browsers.

4. Contact Grants.gov's help line (1-800/518-4726) for assistance with hardware and software issues, registration issues, and technical problems. Grants.gov’s help desk hours are 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The help desk is closed on federal holidays.