Update: Adobe Reader 9.0 is now also compatible with Grants.gov

Over the past two and 1/2 years increasing numbers of federal grant applications have been submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Grants.gov applications are currently prepared using PureEdge. Soon Adobe Reader or Adobe Professional (as of 7/10/08 the compatible versions of Adobe Reader and Professional are 8.1.1, 8.1.2, or 9.0) must be used to prepare all Grants.gov applications. To prepare for this change, please install a compatible version of Adobe Reader from the ITS downloads website.

In January some federal agencies began releasing the new Adobe application packages. NIH is preparing for the transition to Adobe and plans to begin posting some Adobe application packages this spring. As long as the forms and systems perform correctly, a full transition to the new forms will follow. RASP will broadcast the transition plan once it is announced.

During this transition, it is important that you keep track of what version of an application package is current. Do not download applications far in advance of deadlines or reuse applications you downloaded for past deadlines. Once the Adobe version is available, the PureEdge version cannot be submitted.

Currently, only Adobe Reader and Adobe Professional 8.1.1, 8.1.2, and 9.0 work correctly with the Adobe application packages. Other versions of Adobe will corrupt the Adobe application packages. However, programs other than Adobe Reader and Adobe Professional 8.1.1, 8.1.2, and 9.0 can be used to prepare attachments for the Adobe application packages.

To help the WCMC grants community with the transition, I will continue to hold classes in the library computer room. If you must complete an Adobe application package before my next class, please contact me and I will work with you individually.

If you have any questions about installing or using a compatible version of Adobe Reader, please contact ITS Support at support@med.cornell.edu.

Please note that Adobe Reader is free and available at www.med.cornell.edu/its/downloads. Adobe Professional is not necessary for completing a Grants.gov application, but if you use Professional for other purposes you may find it convenient to purchase a Grants.gov-compatible version of it for your computer.

If you have any questions about the Grants.gov transition from PureEdge to Adobe, please contact me at eaj2002@med.cornell.edu or (212) 821-0693.

Bess Jensen
Research & Sponsored Programs
Weill Cornell Medical College
July, 2008