Online Grant Application Process and Instructions

Introduction
In an effort to make the submission process efficient and straightforward for all applicants, the LANL Foundation has moved to an online application system. Please read the following information for guidance about what you will be asked to submit.

ALL grant proposals must be submitted using the online application on the LANL Foundation website.

Tips for Completing the Online Grant Application
We suggest that you follow these tips in order to most efficiently complete a grant application:
1. After reviewing the rest of this page, click a "Sample Blank Application” link to the right that corresponds to the type of grant for which you are applying. This allows you to see all the application questions for each of the three grant programs.
2. Print the blank application.
3. Review the questions and requested documents in the blank application then collect the necessary information and materials.
4. Need some help? Please review our FAQs before contacting us.

Instructions for Online Grant Application
Please review the following directions to access the Foundation's online application system. Keep these directions on-hand as you complete your application for the first time. Please email wendy@lanlfoundation.org with any questions.

STEP 1: CREATE AN ACCOUNT
• You will need to set up an account in order to begin the process.
• Click the "Start a New Application” link in the above right column that corresponds to the type of grant for which you are applying.
Important: Each time you click a "start a new application" link, a new application and number will be added to your user account, even if you do not begin filling it out or click the "save and continue later button". This will result in your user account showing multiple applications started. To avoid this issue, DO NOT click a "start a new application" link unless you plan to begin filling it out. If you see extra applications listed in your account, find your "real" in-process application and then delete the others.
• You will be asked to sign in on the Account Login page.
• Click on the "I am a new online applicant" option and press "Continue".
• You will be asked to create an online account using an email address and password. Your user name is your email address, or the email address of the person in your organization who opened the account.
• You will use this information in the future to access in-process applications, as well as the history of applications that you have submitted to the Foundation using this system. It is important that you keep a record of the email address and password that is used to create the account. If you forget your password, click the "Forgot my Password" button to recall or reset it.
• You may share this information with others who need access to the online application. You will not be able to create more than one account to complete an application. If someone else from your organization signs up with a different account user name and login, they will not be able to access the in-process application. It will only create a separate application.
• Once the account is created, you will be taken to the application.

STEP 2a: COMPLETE APPLICATION
• Begin completing the online application.
• You will see a number of items at the top of the page.
• Contact Us: if at any time you have a question about the application or process, please click this link to send an email to the Foundation.
• Page Numbers: indicates the number of pages on the application.
• Review My Application: gives you the option to review what you have completed at any time. It is highly recommended that you review the completed application before submitting it to the Foundation.
• Printer Friendly Version: allows you to see the application in a printer friendly view.
• All items denoted with a red diamond are required fields. You will not be permitted to submit your application without completing these fields.

STEP 2b: SAVING AND FINISHING THE APPLICATION LATER
• You have the option to save your work and submit the application at a later time. Press "Save and Finish Later" at the bottom of the application in order to exit and keep the information you have entered. If you want to continue working, press the "Next" button.
• If you decide to use the "Save and Finish Later" option, you may access the incomplete application at a later time.
• In order to access an in-process application, you can utilize the link that was sent to you via email, with the confirmation of your account user name and password.
• The second way to access an in-process application is to go to the appropriate grant program page (Small Grants or Educational Enrichment) on the Foundation's website and click the link in the right column that directs you to "Complete an In-Progress Application.” You will need the user name and password that you used to create the account.

STEP 3a: ATTACHMENTS - LOCATING FOUNDATION SPECIFIC ATTACHMENTS
• The last page of the application contains a list of attachments. Some are required in order to complete and submit the application.
• One of the forms required for Small Grants is the "Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement Form", which must be downloaded from the LANL Foundation website. A link to the PDF is found on this page in the right column above and on the Small Grants page.
• Once you have downloaded the PDF to your computer, you may fill it out electronically. Print a copy of the completed form, obtain the required signatures, and submit it to the application (see STEP 3b for details). You will not be allowed to save the filled in PDF document. You may also print out the blank PDF form and fill it out by hand.
• Please note that other application attachments are not created by the Foundation. Items such as 501 (c)(3) certifications and signed endorsements from the Board of Directors should be scanned into your computer and then uploaded appropriately.

STEP 3b: ATTACHMENTS - UPLOADING FROM YOUR COMPUTER
ALL REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS TO YOUR APPLICATION MUST BE UPLOADED FROM YOUR COMPUTER TO THE ONLINE APPLICATION.
• If your organization does not have digital copies of some of the required documents (for example, the copy of your 501(c)(3) document), scan them into a PDF file.
• If your organization does not have scanning capabilities, take the required documents to a local library or photocopy shop that has scanning capabilities. They can assist you to scan your documents and save them on a USB or Flash Drive. Another option is to email the scanned documents to your email address.

HOW TO UPLOAD DOCUMENTS:
• Click the drop-down menu on the field "Title" to view all types of attachments that may be required for your application.
• Select the document type from the drop down box.
• Click the "Browse” button and go to the location of the document on your computer that corresponds with the attachment that you wish to upload.
• Highlight the document and click "Open" or "OK"
• Once selected, the document will show in "File Name” on the application screen.
• Click the "Upload” button.
• Repeat this process to upload each additional document.

If you do not have documentation prepared at this point, click "Save and Finish Later" to hold the application until you have completed the appropriate forms. You cannot submit the final application and send the attachments later.

STEP 4: REVIEWING AND SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION
When you are finished answering all questions and uploading all required attachments, press "Review and Submit." You will have the ability to review your application one last time before submitting it to the Foundation. Once you submit the application, you will receive an email confirming its receipt. The email will also contain a copy of the completed application for your records.