2009 Brings New Adobe-Based Application Forms for Electronic Submissions
Most electronic submissions to NIH on or after Jan. 1, 2009 must use Adobe
application forms, with a few exceptions (See NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-08-117).
As NIH waits to incorporate the latest updates to the Adobe forms by December
2008, there are two critical points applicants need be aware of:
- New Funding Opportunity Announcements released after Sept. 1, 2008, will
not have Adobe application forms for downloading until December 2008. At
that time, it will be necessary for you to go back to your chosen FOA to
download the Adobe-based application packages. Existing FOAs that were released
prior to Sept. 1, 2008, will have PureEdge application forms that will remain
active and available until they are replaced by Adobe forms in the December
timeframe (with the exception of small business and conference grants which
will have new Adobe forms in February 2009). Do not wait for the Adobe forms
to become available — develop your research plan components and required
application attachments now!
- There are only two versions of Adobe Reader that Grants.gov currently
recommends for use with the new application forms — version 8.1.2 and version
9.0.(the versions may change, stay tuned to Grants.gov’s Download
Software page for details). Both are available for free download
at Grants.gov.
Earlier versions of Adobe Reader will not be accepted
by the system.
Answers to questions you may have and additional help can be found at the
following links:
Background Information
NIH and Grants.gov have been working toward transitioning electronic grant
applications from PureEdge to Adobe forms, which are accessed through Adobe
Reader. One reason for the transition is to better accommodate both
MAC and PC users; Adobe Reader is cross-platform software. A benefit
to this changeover is Adobe Reader’s universality, giving users the advantage
of working with a well-known, free, and easily downloaded piece of software.
The transition is now at an impact stage: As stated in the above bullets,
many new FOAs will soon be posted online
without downloadable application forms. Small business and conference FOAs
are not affected at this time. As NIH waits to incorporate the most recent
changes to the Adobe application forms, it will also receive submissions from
the three Adobe pilots (see related Guide
Notice) and examine any glitches encountered by the grant applicants. NIH
will work with Grants.gov to correct any issues and fine-tune the Adobe forms
prior to their final release in December.
Note: Although the software program has changed, the electronic submission
process has NOT. In addition, the new Adobe forms will have the same
look and feel as PureEdge forms (except on the budget page, where you will
see clear differences).
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