Portal Problems: What are they, how can they be avoided, and what are best practices?

As an applicant, it can be very exciting to identify a federal funding opportunity that aligns with your entity’s programs or projects. You begin pouring over the Funding Opportunity documents, assembling your technical and writing teams, making space in your already busy schedule to begin collecting information, finalizing your project and proceeding with preparing your proposal, all with that final deadline date in mind. But, to successfully submit your grant application, it is vital to understand application portals and their effects on the overall process.

Portals! 

Have you completed the necessary preliminary and registration steps before beginning your funding application?

Registrations, both Sam.gov and Portals, should be started as soon as possible after the applicant decides to pursue federal funding. Obtaining your Unique Entity ID (UEI) and completing Sam.gov Registration can take up to 4 weeks to complete. Plus, you can never be sure of any other technical issues that could occur during the process, causing delays. As a Sam.gov registration is required for almost every funding opportunity, it is vital to ensure this is done as early as possible. 

Register for Sam.Gov Here! 

What Portal does the funding Agency utilize for submission? 

There are several different portals that might be used for application submission. The list includes but is not limited to Grants.gov, Infrastructure Exchange, EDGE Portal, Just Grants, and FEMA Go. Different portals serve different agencies and promote their funding opportunities. Make sure you take a close look at the instructions in the Funding Opportunity Announcement and begin the registration process as soon as possible. 

How does the portal you use affect the application process?

Depending on the portal you are using, your application process will differ. It is important to thoroughly explore an application before drafting in order to see every question and understand your formatting options. These applications are often designed for the funder’s (rather than the applicant’s) ease, necessitating some added work to overcome these issues. When you move into the drafting phase, your work will answer every question and reflect the formatting requirements of the application itself. Putting in this work on the front end will make the application itself a much smoother process.

How does the portal you are using affect your overall grant research strategy?

The portal you use can have impacts not only on an individual grant application but also on your overall grant research strategy. Depending on the portal, there are different ways that you must research opportunities. Some grant platforms provide email services that advertise new funding, while others require you to search for new opportunities daily to stay current. The portal’s organizational style can also prevent or cause information overload, affecting the ease of research. Exploring each portal you are using regularly is important to understand how it works most effectively. As a grant writer, it is vital to shape your research strategies around the portal you are engaging with.

No one wants a failed submission due to portal problems. Your project is too important to miss out on the opportunity of being awarded funding! Check out our series on registrations for federal opportunities:  

Registration - Part 1: How to Get Started with SAM.GOV 

Registration - Part 2: Grants.gov and Other Registrations 

Registration - Part 3: Managing Organization Roles in Grants.gov