NEFA Rolling Out New Grant Application System

NEFA is constantly looking for ways to improve the grant application process for applicants, and regularly assesses how technology can improve access to the grant process. We are excited to implement a new system beginning with the NEST (New England States Touring) August 1 deadline. Other programs’ applications will upgrade over the course of the next year.

The new system will be more user-friendly with a cleaner interface. It will allow for a more seamless grant application process, with less interruption from the form timing out. The application will be broken up into easy to navigate sections, and the applicant will be able to easily save and complete later. The system will retain the help text and will improve access for applicants using screen readers.  

Those who have used the NEFA grant application portal in the past should expect to still see a similar dashboard to the one that has grown familiar over the years, with the ability to edit in-progress applications and print summaries of submitted applications. Grantees will continue to access the portal to complete Grantee Reports at the conclusion of their grant period.

NEST grant applicants from the previous three years will be contacted by NEFA with instructions on setting up a password for the new portal. Otherwise, even if you have previously created an account to apply for a NEFA grant, you will be asked to create a new account on the new system.

While we are transitioning our portal system, previous applicants may not see their full grant history in the new portal and will still have to access the prior portal system in order to apply or complete grantee reports for any grant programs besides NEST.

We hope the new system will improve the experience of grant applicants. If any issues arise while filling out an application, please contact program staff during business hours for assistance.