Appendix C

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to register in Grants.gov or set up my account in the OJP Grants Management System (GMS)?

A: Grants.gov: The registration process can take 1–3 weeks depending on your organization. Many factors contribute to this timeframe. See Get Registered on Grants.gov for details and instructions.

GMS: About 3–5 days, but you should begin the application process as soon as possible, particularly if you are a first time user. For assistance with the electronic application process, call the GMS toll free hotline at 1-888-549-9901. The hotline is available from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday.

Q: How do I access and get started with my online application?

A: Grants.gov: Go to Search Grant Opportunities on Grants.gov.

GMS: Go to Funding Opportunities at OJP. This site links users directly to GMS and the GMS Application Procedures Handbook, which gives step-by-step instructions. Click on the solicitation that interests you. Then select "Logon directly to the Grants Management System (GMS)," to apply for grant funding. If you have not previously used GMS, click on "New User? Register Here," and follow the onscreen instructions to register. After you register, select the name of the solicitation you are responding to.

Q: What do I need to have ready before I apply online?

A: Grants.gov and GMS: You will need a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to register. Your application will not be considered complete until you provide a valid DUNS number.

EXCEPTION: Individuals who would personally receive a grant or cooperative agreement from the federal government, apart from any business or nonprofit organization that they may operate, are not required to obtain a DUNS number. If this exception applies, enter any nine digits into the space provided.

You can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711. If you have questions, contact OJP’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-458-0786.

Grants.gov has additional registration requirements. See Get Registered on Grants.gov for details.

Q: What types of files can I upload into GMS?

A: You must use one of these three formats to upload documents into Grants.gov: Portable Document Format (.pdf), Microsoft Word (.doc), or ascii (.txt).

Q: When will I know if my application is selected for funding?

A: The application review process (including peer review, decision making, and other considerations) may take 6 months or longer. Notices of award and non-award are sent about 6 months after the closing date of a solicitation. Information regarding the status of awards is not available until notifications have been sent. Awards are posted regularly.

Q: How will the RSS feed help me use the OJP Program Plan?

A: You will receive notice when changes are posted to the Program Plan. The title of the program that has been updated will be listed. If the program title was one of the changes, the old title will be in parenthesis. If a program has been deleted, that will be noted in parenthesis next to the program name. Subscribers will be able to click on the program title and be taken directly to the program entry in the Program Plan where they can see all changes made. Typical changes include updated program links once solicitations are issued and updates to the program descriptions.

Once OJP's spend plans have been reviewed by Congress, the funding amounts for the programs will be posted on the Program Plan site and an RSS feed notice of this update will be sent to all subscribers.