Grants are the method through which the government invests money in the ideas you have about a project, as a way to provide services to the public. Grants support many types of projects like scientific research, public service projects, hospital buildings and many others. It comes in the category of federal financial assistance. It is the way that government uses to provide financial assistance to the needful and providing service to the public by investing in their welfare projects. The grants are mostly of two kinds – one of those which are issued by the federal government and the other ones are the ones issued from non-federal bodies.
The whole process of giving grants is kind of a cycle which starts with the announcement of opportunities, application process, acceptance of the suitable and submitting the grant. In the pre-award phase funding opportunities are announced by funding agencies. They publish Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) which is based on the budget they have and legislation. Applicants have to do registration and submit their application forms. After submission, the applications are thoroughly studied along with the supporting documents. The final decision is made by the agency staff. In the award giving phase a Notice of Award (NOA) is sent to all those selected. It is the legal insurance of the award. The post-award phase is where all the work is done and submitted within the given time limit. The person or the organization who won should get all the work done before time.
What are your work as an applicant and things to keep in mind while filling the form?
The process is a long one. When the word for the grant is out, then the first thing to do is to read and understand it carefully. Go through all the terms and conditions and other details. Check that you fit the eligibility criteria. Also, check that your portfolio meets the mentioned requirements. Then look for the suitable grant in your category. If you are representing an organization, then understand its internal procedure. Recheck your research and make sure everything is up-to-date. After you are sure about everything then write down a competitive application.
Make sure you have all the registration papers. Understand the requirements, and choose one of the available submission options. This is to be done one and a half day before the submission. Fill the application form keeping in mind the instructions provided. Explain why you are the most suitable contender without putting others down. Sound ambitious and confident. After all is set submit the application form. Submit the correct documents required for your application. You can track the status of your application online. Try to submit early; do not wait for the last moment to submit in the nick of time.
All those who have won the grant will be informed about it through a notice.
Pay special attention to the application – Sometimes even our best attempts fail. It may happen that all your preparations might not work if your application is not convincing and if your application is not impressive and approachable. If you want the grant for a new project, then your application should be for a project that has not been funded yet. If your application is for a renewal, then mention that you want funding to regulate. Mention all the achievements you have had to date (if any) and fill the form with through detail like you are filling for the first time. If it is for an extension then ask for additional support besides the previous one you have gotten. If your application is about resubmission then mention that it is an unfunded application and submitted for the purpose of new consideration.
Eligibility for the grant – It is important to make sure that you are legally eligible for receiving a grant. Putting hard work behind something you cannot get is a waste of time. Your eligibility also depends upon whether you are applying individually or on behalf of an organization. The organizations that receive grants fall under different categories like education, profit, non-profit organizations. Small business grants are also awarded to those organizations who are in their in their initial stage. Individuals have to apply for the funding facilities like personal finance assistance, especially available for individuals.
Foreign applicants – In many case grant is also given to foreign applicants. Whether a foreigner is suitable for such or not is decided by the authorizing legislation and agency policies. The application process for the foreigners is the same as the citizens of the country, but the registration process has a few extra steps. They should check the special guidelines for alien citizens. Foreign applicants may have to file a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), which depends upon how you want to use the grant. It is also called employment identification number. This rule is regulated within the boundaries of the U.S, not outside it. Also, if during the award period if the organization or the guarantor changes, then you are supposed to inform all about it. Get your new details updated.
These are some of the few grants you can choose from:
Research grants provide support specified research projects. It is the most common grant. It has no specific money limit unless if it is mentioned in Funding opportunity announcement. It is awarded for 3 to 5 years.
Grants for Scientific Meetings and Conferences are grants for scientific meetings that are done for public health. It requires permission in advance. It is available for 5 years but foreign applicants may not be able to apply.
Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) provides financial aid for small research to undergraduate and/or graduate students in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. It is for 3 years. Money limit is set by suppliers.
Research Project Cooperative Agreement (RPCA) is given to projects by investigator representing their field. It is kind of a cooperative agreement. It has no money limit unless mentioned in the FOA.
Besides these, there are many other grants as well.
