Changes Announced to Grants.gov Applications

Grants.gov is progressing in the transition from Pure Edge application forms to Adobe Reader application forms for the submission of applications in response to Federal funding opportunities. Grants.gov has stated that all new applications that are posted to Grants.gov after October 2008 require the use of Adobe Reader to complete and submit. They also state that after January 5, 2009, Pure Edge applications will no longer be used and all applications will be completed and submitted using Adobe Reader.

 Due to a recently announced security issue with a previous Adobe Reader version, the Adobe Reader version 9.0 should be used. This software is available from Adobe's website: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_allversions.html. It is imperative that the appropriate version, and the same version, of Adobe Reader is used to open, review, and submit an application.

In order to open, complete, and review an application from Grants.gov that is available in PDF format, all computers that interact with the application must use the same version of Adobe Reader, 9.0. Grants.gov has discovered that if more than one version of Adobe Reader is used to prepare, review, and submit the application, the file may become corrupted and unacceptable by Grants.gov, and therefore not forward to the funding agency.

It is not possible for ORAA staff to identify the version of Adobe Reader used to prepare an application. It is only when the application is submitted to Grants.gov and it is accepted or rejected that ORAA will know that there is an issue with the application. If an application is rejected, the PI will need to download and complete a new application with Adobe Reader 9.0. An application must be accepted by Grants.gov for it to be submitted to the funding agency. An invalid submission will not meet the deadline requirements of the agency.

It is of utmost importance that Adobe Reader 9.0 is installed on the computers of all individuals who prepare or review Grants.gov applications. Using Adobe Reader 9.0 for Grants.gov applications does not impact the use of other Adobe products, such as Adobe Acrobat Professional. However, ORAA suggests that Adobe Reader 9.0 is set as the default program used to open PDF files. Information about setting Adobe Reader 9.0 as the default application for opening PDF files can be found on ORAA's website. http://www.umresearch.umd.edu/ORAA/esubmission/esystems_docs/Using_Adobe_Reader9.pdf

 Adobe Reader should not be updated beyond version 9.0 without consulting the ORAA website. As new versions are released and deemed compatible by Grants.gov staff, ORAA will communicate this information through its website so the entire UM research community can be assured that they are using the correct version of Adobe Reader.

 Please share this information with all individuals working with Grants.gov applications in your College/Department. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at oraaonline@umresearch.umd.edu.

The text of this memo can be found on ORAA's website http://www.umresearch.umd.edu/ORAA.