Where do I obtain any forms that need to be used for the full application?

All forms can be accessed on the Forms and Resources page of this program.

What is the Institutional Certification Form?

The Institutional Certification Form (ICF) 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” in your online 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 ICF can be accessed on the Forms and Resources page of this program.

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 ICF. This should be the same person you entered as the “Institutional Signing Official” in your online application.

What is an e-signature?

BWF considers an electronic signature (or e-signature) to be either an image of a person’s actual signature (a scanned signature) or an official digital signature. Typing a person’s name or initials into a form is not acceptable.

How do I submit the Institutional Certification Form (ICF)?

After completing the ICF, including the required signature, place it in the correct order in the combined PDF file, then upload and attach the PDF file to your application. The ICF will thus be submitted electronically with the application. An application will not be accepted without a completed, signed ICF.  Faxed, emailed, or hard copy documents will not be accepted.

What is the Signature Page Form (SPF)?

The SPF requires re-entry of the primary investigator's, and co-investigator's (if applicable), contact information and provides a signature line for each investigator. An application will not be accepted without a completed, signed SPF. Faxed, emailed, or hard copy forms will not be accepted.

How do I access the SPF?

The SPF can be accessed on the Forms and Resources page of this program.

How do I submit the SPF?

After completing the SPF, including the required signature(s), place it as the first page of the combined PDF file, then upload the single PDF file to your application prior to submission. The form will be submitted electronically with the application. An application will not be accepted without a completed, signed SPF.  Faxed, emailed, or hard copy documents will not be accepted.

How many signatures do I need and who needs to sign which form?

Signatures are required on each of two forms. The primary investigator and any co-investigators (if applicable) must complete and sign the SPF. The institutional official responsible for sponsored programs (generally from the institution’s grants and contracts office, office of research, or sponsored programs office) at the institution where the work will be performed must complete and sign the ICF. Both completed and signed forms must be uploaded to your application as part of the combined PDF file prior to submission by the application deadline.

Can the Institutional Certification Form and/or the Signature Page Form be sent separately?

No. Both forms must be completed, signed and uploaded to your application as part of the combined PDF file prior to submission by the full application deadline. Faxed, emailed, or 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.