MacResearch

The grant application process in the US is quickly moving towards an exclusively digital infrastructure that is unified across multiple agencies (NIH, HHS, etc) . The portal to this system is hosted by www.grants.gov. Deadlines for electronic-only submission of grants are fast approaching. For example, starting Dec 1st 2005 all SBIR grants submitted to the NIH must go through the new system. The benefits of an electronic submission system are apparent to most. However there is a nasty problem with the current system in that it currently only supports computers running Windows. You need a Windows PC to not only submit the forms, but even to view them and input information! In order to participate in the electronic system you need to download a Windows-only program called "PureEdge Viewer".

This problem has been known for some time apparently. The following are external references that pertain to the problem this situation creates for Mac and Linux users:

Slashdot Posting

Macintouch article

Open letter from Greg Cook

It seems grants.gov and the PureEdge developers are very aware of the problem and they are trying their best to provide guidance for mac users, as the issue is covered in the FAQs. The problem with their solution is that they propose that you purchase and install Virtual PC in order to participate which is unacceptable to the majority of Mac users.

You can help the community address this problem by letting the developers of PureEdge know how important the issue is to you. I'd also urge you to contact your representative in Washington to let him or her know how important it is for the government to stay fair and neutral when creating governmental IT systems and resources.