Please
take note of the following file-type issue that has the potential to cause an error upon application submission via Grants.gov.
Errors prevent an application from full submission and must be corrected with
successful resubmission prior to the application
deadline.*
ERROR:
Attachment contains formatting or features not currently supported by NIH:
Though
the cause of the error is not fully understood (including by the eRA Help
Desk), it seems that “hidden” content in a PDF file is the problem. Please note
that in the recent instance, even printing and scanning the pages from the
document in question did not alleviate the problem; sophisticated printers and
scanners detected and reincorporated the hidden content.
To
confirm whether or not your PDF file has hidden content:
From
the Tool Bar, select Document and then Examine Document:
In
the recent instance, Selecting “Remove all checked items” did not change the
physical appearance of the document. All content, including signatures on
letters, was maintained.
With
this modification, the application was allowed through to full submission with
no additional errors.
*Notes
from the PHS
SF424 (R&R) Adobe Forms Version B Application Guide:
(1)
Please be aware of the distinction between errors and warnings.
The word error is used to characterize any condition which causes the
application to be deemed unacceptable for further consideration. Generally,
errors will indicate significant inaccuracies, inconsistencies, omissions, or
incorrect formatting that have been identified in the body of the application.
Conversely, the word warning characterizes any condition that is
acceptable, at least for the time being, but worthy of bringing to the
applicant’s attention. It is at the applicant’s discretion whether a warning
condition requires any action, but some warnings may need to be addressed later
in the process.
(2)
Applicants should be aware that on-time submission means that an application is
submitted error free (of both Grants.gov and eRA Commons errors) before 5
p.m. on the receipt date, local time of the applicant organization. Applicants
are encouraged to submit their applications to Grants.gov several days early to
ensure enough time to correct any errors and to comply with the deadline.