The legacy PDF application package will be retired on December 31, 2017.
If you don’t know what that means and missed our previous blog posts here and here, or the Grants.gov Notices page, here’s a quick summary:
In the past, applicants have downloaded and filled out a single, big, stitched PDF application package that contained all the forms (i.e., the “legacy PDF application package”). To work as a team, you had to email the file back-and-forth while making sure all are using the same exact version of Adobe software.
How Do I Apply for a Grant, Then?!
To improve your application experience with Grants.gov, we launched Workspace in October 2015. Since its launch, we have added functionality and developed training resources that have helped many applicants transition to Workspace.
By December 31, 2017, the 2+ year lead time for transitioning will end and the legacy PDF application package will be retired.
Okay, I Get It. How Do I Apply using Workspace?
We can help with that. First, read through this overview of how to apply for grants using Workspace, which has pages that explain the full process and roles. There are links to more specific instructions on those pages as well.
Prefer video? Watch the Learning Workspace Video Series below:
If you are still looking for more, read through the Workspace Roles 3-part series on how the core roles work together as a team: #1 Manage Workspace Role, #2 Workspace Participants, and #3 Authorized Organizational Representatives (AOR) Role.
There’s also online help covering how-to instructions and finer details of the system. Of course, as you use workspace there are blue question mark icons that link directly to help articles for that page.
Please let us know what you think in the comments below or on Twitter @grantsdotgov.
I’ve applied for an NEA grant and have an application number, but I won’t hear back about the results of my application until sometime in January, after the December 31 deadline for switching to Workspace. If the application has already been submitted successfully, do I now need to redo it in Workspace in order to continue to be eligible for consideration for this grant? Very much appreciate your quick responses on these comments!
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Hi Rachel, you are fine. You don’t need to take any additional steps. Best of luck!
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Okay, I Get It. Thank you for sharing this information. I am doing my businees of kichen appliances and using PDF application I am maintaining their report from many years. Now it is get retired, I want to know that is this application will come up with usefull and neccessary updates or not?
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We recommend that you prepare to begin applying with Grants.gov Workspace. Here are our training videos for using Workspace: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html
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PLEASE HELP MY HOUSE INSURANCE IS BEING CANCELLED Because I HAVE NOT HAD ANY MONEY TO FIX MY ROOF AND HAD MY DECK REPAID AND FINISHED. I HAVE WRITTEN SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS AND PAYING MONTHLY. I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. DOES THIS MEAN I’m Not GETTING THE HELP I SO DESPERATELY NEED. THERE WERE A FEW OTHER THINGS ON THE LIST THAT I ALSO NEED DUE TO HANDICAPPED REASONS.
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Hi Barbara, we recommend you complete the Benefits Finder tool on Benefits.gov to see if you are eligible for federal financial assistance: https://www.benefits.gov
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I am still confused on applying for Workspace. Will I still go to grants,gov and then just do the workspace application or do I need to register for workspace now, even though I am not in the process of applying for a grant?
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Hi Debbie, thanks for your question, and we apologize for any confusion. “Workspace” is simply the name for how you apply on Grants.gov moving forward. An overview of the process is: register a Grants.gov account, find a grant you want to apply for on Grants.gov, create a workspace for that specific grant, then complete it in Grants.gov Workspace.
The Workspace Overview page explains the process & links to more detailed instructions for the process outlined above: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html
If you watch this video tutorial playlist (under 20 minutes total), it will show you the process of creating, filling out forms, and submitting an application on Grants.gov: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNSNGxQE7NWlPcYxVJsglJbRc6cPcfC8X
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Thank you for sharing this information. This will help me.
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I am still confused on applying for Workspace 😦
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Hi Joseph, Grants.gov Workspace is the application method; you don’t apply for a workspace. An overview of the application process is to log in, find a grant, create a workspace application, fill out the forms, then submit your application. Please read through the Workspace Overview pages for more information: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html
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