What is the Institutional Certification Form?

The Institutional Certification Form is a document that indicates institutional approval of the submission of your full application. It must be completed and signed by an official responsible for sponsored programs at the institution where the work will be performed (generally someone from the institution’s grants and contracts office, office of research, or sponsored programs office). This should be the same person you entered as the “Institutional Signing Official” on page 4 of your application. You can print a copy of the form and take it to your institutional official for completion or you can forward a copy of the interactive PDF version of the document to the official. The completed, signed form must be uploaded to your application as part of the combined PDF file prior to submission by the application deadline. Faxed, emailed, or hard copy documents will not be accepted.

How do I access the Institutional Certification Form?

The form can be accessed below and on the Forms and Resources page of this website.

Who needs to sign the Institutional Certification Form?

The official responsible for sponsored programs at the institution where the work will be performed (generally someone from the institution’s grants and contracts office, office of research, or sponsored programs office) must sign the form. This should be the same person you entered as the “Institutional Signing Official” on the “Institution Information” page of your application (page 4).

How do I submit the Institutional Certification Form?

After completing the form, including the required signature, place it in the appropriate order in the combined PDF file, then upload and attach the PDF file to your application. The form will thus be submitted electronically with the application. Faxed, emailed, or hard copy documents will not be accepted.

Can the Institutional Certification Form be sent separately?

No. The ICF must be completed, signed and uploaded to your application as part of the combined PDF file.  Faxed, emailed, hard copy documents will not be accepted.

I'm having trouble completing the PDF versions of the forms.  Any suggestions?

Visit Troubleshooting PDFs for help in working with the interactive PDF forms.  You may also want to check with the IT professionals at your institution.