Type of application: Is it an electronic or a print application? For example, the majority of grant applications are submitted electronically via online e-grant portals; some state agencies can still only accept hard copies.

       Due date: Make sure the due date is manageable and gives you enough time to collect topic-related information and write the application. A reasonable amount of time is 30 days from the date the grantfunding announcement is published or issued via email and the actual due date of the application.

       Who’s eligible to apply: Every grant competition has a section listing the types of grant applicants eligible to apply for funds (Chapter 1 gives you a list of eligible grant applicants). If your organization’s forming structure (local education agency, nonprofit, and so forth) isn’t listed, consider partnering with an eligible applicant. (Head to Chapters 9, 10, and 11 for more on finding the right grantseeking partners.) You may also want to contact the funding agency to clarify any non-published eligible applicants because your organization may be eligible to apply after all.

       The number of grants to be awarded: You may have to call the funding agency’s contact person to find out the number of available grants; this information often isn’t included in state grant application guidelines. Unless you’re the only organization delivering highly specialized services/programs and have no competitors, don’t apply for competitive grant funds where fewer than three awards will be made statewide. The fewer the number of grant awards, the worse the odds are for winning an award.

       Direct grants: You apply directly to the federal government. There is no intermediary agency.

       Pass-through grants: Your state applies to the federal government for a grant. After receiving the grant, the state then passes the federal monies on to applicants. Pass-through monies are still considered federal monies even though they’re distributed by state agencies.

       Direct grants have no middlemen and none of the extra layers of red tape added by intermediary grantmaking agencies. You apply directly to the federal government for a grant in response to an announcement of the availability of funds.

       When you compete for a direct grant, you communicate directly with a program officer in a division of a federal agency. This interaction means one-on-one attention, so be sure to review the application guidelines thoroughly and then compile all your questions. You can email or call the grantmaking agency’s contact person for clarification and answers. Doing so upfront clears the way for the topic research and the grantwriting process. Avoid being a nuisance! Don’t call and make small talk. Have your questions ready before approaching the agency contact and ask if the individual prefers to have questions emailed. Be prepared to take copious notes. If you feel you still lack a clear answer about how to proceed, ask again.Some federal agencies have a deadline for submitting questions via email or by phone; read the grant application guidelines to make sure you can still make the call or email contact. If the window has passed, look at the agency’s website for a link to frequently asked questions (FAQs). Others have probably asked the same questions you have, and the agency may have posted the answer for the general public to review. Also, remember to check daily for modifications to the initially posted grant applications guidelines.