How to Fill in the Application Form

How to Fill in the Application Form

There are a number of ways to fill in the application form:

print out the form, fill it in by hand and snail mail it to me,

print out the form, fill it in by hand, scan it and email it to me as a JPG or PDF file,

print out the form, use a word processor to generate your text, print this out too, glue the printed bits onto the application form and snail mail it to me,

print out the form, use a word processor to generate your text, print this out too, glue the printed bits onto the application form, scan it and email it to me as a JPG or PDF file,

edit the application form using your favourite PDF editor (there are several free ones on the web) and email it to me as a PDF file,

edit the application form using the free online PDF editor PDFescape (this seems to work well!) and email it to me as a PDF file, or

as a very last resort, try importing the application form (a PDF file) into Word (it probably won't work!), edit it and email it to me as a PDF file (DOC or DOCX files will not be accepted).

Now here are two important parts so please read them carefully:

1. During the course of processing over 200 grants applications, I have wasted much time repackaging odd pieces of paper and assorted Word files (received as a "2A4 application") into something that vaguely resembles the proper application form. I don't mind if you send me a hardcopy or electronic application - but it must look exactly like this with your own words on it (so - no extra sheets of paper!). If you do not do this, or if you send me DOC or DOCX files, I will ignore your application - I'm sorry, but I will bin it - I won't even reply. My apologies if the above sounds bureaucratic, but there is a very good reason for having this standard application form - it contains a carefully worded RELEASE AND INDEMNITIES section which is agreed by the applicant when he/she signs the form. Changing the structure of the form (e.g. by retyping parts of it, or allowing it to be mangled by Word) may well remove any protection afforded by the RELEASE AND INDEMNITIES section.

2. I sometimes get handwritten applications (in hardcopy or scanned form) in which it is impossible to accurately read the name, phone number or email address of the applicant. If you think that this may be the case, please email me your (typed) name, phone number and email address at the same time as you submit your application. If I don't know your name, phone number and email address, then I won't read your application - I'm sorry, but I will bin it.

Download an application form or contact me at: jrh@2a4.org or jrh@2a4grants.org