These application guidelines provide all of the information you will need to submit an application. Please read these instructions in their entirety before you begin the application process. We suggest you keep these instructions open while you complete your application, as they contain links to information you will need.

The Grants.gov system must receive your validated application no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on January 18, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted.

Electronic application through Grants.gov is mandatory. The Grants.gov Contact Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for technical support at 800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

If you are unable to submit your application electronically, you may request a waiver. A waiver will be granted for the following reasons:

• Internet access is not available within a 30-mile radius of your address.
• Disability prevents you from submitting your application electronically.

Your waiver request must be in writing and must be received by the NEA at least three weeks before the application deadline. Click here for more information on waivers.

To Apply:

Step 1: Register with Login.gov and Grants.gov
Step 2: Go to the grant opportunity package
Step 3: Follow the application instructions
Step 4: Submit your electronic application

Step 1: Register with Login.gov and Grants.gov

Before submitting an application to the NEA, you must register or renew your registration with Login.gov and Grants.gov. It is your responsibility to create and maintain these registrations. Registering and maintaining these accounts is always free.

Registration is a one-time process, which can take a day or more to complete. To allow time to resolve any issues that may arise, we strongly advise that you not wait until the day of the application deadline to register. You will not be able to submit your application if you fail to successfully register with Login.gov and Grants.gov.

Login.gov is a secure sign in service used by the public to sign in to government sites like Grants.gov and will be used as your single sign in for all NEA activities. You should use a unique-to-you email address when signing up for Login.gov (e.g., jane.doe@email.com). This account should be your personal account and not one that is shared by multiple people or an account affiliated with a particular job (e.g., development@abc.org).

New Applicants:

1. Register with Login.gov
   • Go to Create an account to set up your Login.gov account. This account will allow you to access many government websites, including Grants.gov.
   • If you already have a Login.gov account, you do not need to set up a new account, you may use your existing account.
2. Register with Grants.gov
   • Click: Register and click the red button that says “Get Registered Now” at the bottom of the screen.
   • Next, fill out the contact information, choose a Username and Password, and then click “Continue” at the bottom of the screen.
   • Grants.gov will email you a temporary code to verify your email address. Enter this code where instructed on the Registration page.
   • Under the “How would you like to proceed?” heading, be sure to select the Add Individual Applicant Profile option to apply for funding opportunities on your own behalf. See here for more information on adding a profile.
3. Link your Login.gov and Grants.gov accounts
   • Click the “Login” button in Grants.gov, you will be prompted to link accounts, this is a one-time action.
   • After linking accounts, you will always use the Login.gov username and password to sign in to Grants.gov.

Returning Applicants

1. If you have not already created a Login.gov account, go to create an account.
2. Link your Login.gov and Grants.gov accounts.
   • Click the “Login” button in Grants.gov, you will be prompted to link accounts, this is a one-time action.
   • After linking accounts, you will always use the Login.gov username and password to sign in to Grants.gov.

The NEA does not have access to your Login.gov or Grants.gov accounts. If you have any questions about or need assistance with these sites, you must contact them directly:

• Login.gov Help: Consult the information posted in their Help Center, or use their online form to submit a question.
• Grants.gov Contact Center: Call 1-800-518-4726, email support@grants.gov, or consult the information posted on the Grants.gov website at Support. The Grants.gov Contact Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Maintain documentation such as screenshots or emails (with dates) of your efforts to register before the deadline.

Step 2: Go to the Grant Opportunity Package

Access the application package on Grants.gov by clicking on the link below:

If you decide to download the forms, you will first need to verify your PDF software. To download the forms, you must have a version of Adobe Reader that is supported by Grants.gov installed on your computer. Go to "Adobe Software Tip Sheet" to see the compatible versions of Adobe Reader or to download and install Adobe Reader. See important information about versions of Adobe Reader DC here.

The required forms are:

1. Clicking the link above will take you directly to the pre-populated application package in Grants.gov.
2. The Grants.gov “View Grant Opportunity” screen will open, click the red “Apply” button. If the “Apply” button is grey, or you get a “bad request” error, it’s likely that you are either not logged into grants.gov, or that your account does not have the right participant role. In order to create the Workspace application, you must have added an individual applicant profile to your Grants.gov account. See more information on adding an individual profile.
3. You will be prompted to enter your Login.gov Username and Password.
4. After logging in, to create a Workspace application:
   • Fill in the Application Filing Name field with your legal name, then
   • Click the Create Workspace button.
5. Upon a successful creation, you will be directed to the Manage Workspace page, where you can begin working on the application.
6. You can access each required form online by clicking “Webform” OR you can download the forms to your computer by clicking “Download”.
   • Application for Federal Domestic Assistance - Individual Form
   • Attachments Form
7. Complete the application based on the Application Instructions (Step 3).

Step 3: Follow the Application Instructions

Prepare your application materials for Grants.gov. Detailed instructions can be found here.

Step 4: Submit Your Application to Grants.gov

Electronically submit the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance– Individual Form and required attachments through Grants.gov.

1. Check the size of your electronic application. The total size should not exceed 10 MB.

2. To begin the submission process, log on to Grants.gov and go to the Forms tab on the Manage Workspace page. Click the “Sign and Submit” button under the Forms tab.

   Be certain that you are satisfied with your application before you click the “Sign and Submit” button. No revisions to your application are possible through Grants.gov once it is submitted. After submission, the only way to update items in your application is to create a new application by repeating steps 2-4. The NEA will only review your most recently submitted application.

3. Once you complete and submit your application, you will see a confirmation screen explaining that your submission is being processed. Take a screenshot of this confirmation screen and save it for your records. Retain the Grants.gov Tracking Number that you receive in the application submission confirmation screen.
4. Verify that your application was validated by the Grants.gov system. Go to Track My Application to confirm the validation and track the progress of your application submission through Grants.gov. Do not wait until the day of the deadline to verify your validated submission in case you encounter any difficulties. We will not accept late applications.

Note: Acceptance and validation by Grants.gov does not imply that the applicant has uploaded the proper attachments. Before submitting your application, double check that you have attached everything correctly.

For additional help on how to use Grants.gov, see the Grants.gov website at Support. You can also email the Grants.gov Contact Center at support@grants.gov or call them at 800-518-4726, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week.