What are the Grants.gov-compatible versions of Adobe?

Currently, Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat (Standard and Professional) versions 8.1.2 - 8.1.7 and 9.0 - 9.2 work correctly with the Adobe application packages. Opening the forms with non-compatible versions of Adobe will corrupt the Adobe application packages. Grants.gov will pre-empt most issues by displaying a pop-up warning if a non-compatible version is used. Anyone who opens the forms included in your application, including those who fill out subaward budget forms, must use a compatible version of Adobe. However, programs other than Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat versions 8.1.2 - 8.1.7 and 9.0 - 9.2 can be used to prepare attachments for the Adobe application packages.

Which of the Grants.gov-compatible versions of Adobe should I use?

Although there are currently nine valid versions of Adobe, we have found that version 9 performs better than version 8 so we recommend that you upgrade to Adobe Reader 9. (9.0 - 9.2). The ITS downloads page (http://weill.cornell.edu/its/downloads/) now provides links for Adobe Reader 9.0 for PCs and Macs

Why did I receive an error when I opened an Adobe application package that tells me I have an incompatible version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat?

You received the error message because your application package was opened with software that is not compatible with Grants.gov. A compatible version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat is required for viewing, editing, and submitting a complete grant application package to Grants.gov. Any and all edits made to the Adobe application package must be made with a compatible version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat.

How do I install a compatible version of Adobe?

Adobe Reader is free and available from ITS at http://weill.cornell.edu/its/downloads. The ITS downloads page provides links for compatible versions of Adobe Reader for PCs and Macs. The Mac page provides two download options: one for Intel-based Macs and one for Power PC-based Macs. If you have any questions about installing or using a compatible version of Adobe Reader, please contact ITS Support at support@med.cornell.edu. Adobe Acrobat is not necessary for completing a Grants.gov application, but if you use Acrobat for other purposes you may find it convenient to purchase a Grants.gov-compatible version of it for your computer.

Are the Adobe forms compatible with both Mac and PC systems?

Yes, the new Adobe forms offer platform independence and work with both Mac and PC operating systems. Mac users no longer use Citrix to open an application package.

Must everyone who opens an Adobe-based application use the same version of Adobe?

No. Everyone must use a version of Adobe that is compatible with the forms, but not all users have to use the same compatible version.

Can I have a non-compatible version of Adobe Acrobat and a compatible version of Adobe Reader on the same computer?

Yes. Many people use versions of Adobe Acrobat (Standard or Professional) that are not Grants.gov-compatible. You do not need to remove or upgrade non-compatible versions of Acrobat on your computer. You just need to use a compatible version of Adobe Reader when you open your Adobe-based Grants.gov application package:

1. Install a Grants.gov-compatible version of Adobe Reader on your computer.
2. Close any documents on your computer that are open in Adobe Acrobat.
3. Select Adobe Reader software
1. a) Open the Grants.gov-compatible version of Adobe Reader.
2. b) Click or double-click links, icons... for the packages as needed. Once Adobe Reader is open, all Adobe documents will automatically open with Reader rather than another Adobe product.

OR

1. From the Grants.gov website, save the application package to your computer.
1. Windows: Right click the "Download Application Package" link, and select "Save Target As." Save the file to your computer.
2. Mac: Right-click or control-click the "Download Application Package" link, and select "Save File As" under the File menu. Save the file to your computer.
2. Open the application using the Adobe Reader software.
1. Windows: Right-click the application icon. Select "Open With" and then "Choose Program." In the window that opens, select "Adobe Reader" and click "OK".
2. Mac: Right-click or control-click the application icon. Select "Open With" and then "Adobe Reader.

What are the restrictions and recommendations for naming attachments?

Do not use special characters (example: &,*,%,/,#) or spaces in the file names. Rather than using spaces, use underscore (example: my_attached_file.pdf) or capitalization (example: MyAttachedFile.pdf) to separate words. We recommend file names of 20 characters or less. You can click the paperclip at the bottom of the left toolbar within an Adobe-based application package to see a list of all attachments for easy scanning of file names.

What are the restrictions and recommendations for naming application packages?

Change the file name of the application package to a short, simple name (example: change oppPA-07-070-cidADOBE-FORMS-A.pdf to JensenR01Feb5.pdf).

Additional Notes:

• The overall electronic submission process of finding opportunities, downloading application packages, preparing forms, preparing the PDF attachment sections and submitting applications remains the same.
• The new Adobe forms look and feel very similar to the PureEdge forms. The changes are mainly cosmetic.
• Adobe forms have two major advantages - platform independence (works with both Mac and PC operating systems) and users are familiar with the Adobe Reader software.

For more Adobe FAQs, please visit:

http://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_faqs.jsp#adobe
http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/faq_special.htm#adobe