Fastlane Rejections

FastLane is routinely rejecting proposals which do not meet its longstanding guidelines for margin and spacing requirements acceptable in electronic submissions.

DO NOT check your printed version. It may appear to fall within the guidelines, but FastLane will convert it to a PDF prior to the transfer being finalized. The file may not meet the margin and spacing requirements after this conversion process.

There is an easy way to check for compliance after the file is converted to PDF:

1. After each file is uploaded, the system will prompt the user to proofread
the document. At this step, you need to save the document you are proof reading to your hard drive.
2. Start the Adobe Acrobat Reader and open the file saved to your hard drive.
3. From the View menu, select Grid.
4. A grid pattern will appear over the text of the document you are reviewing. Each grid box represents 2.5 cm.

Proposals must have 2.5 cm margins at the top, bottom and on each side. The page number should be placed above the 2.5 cm margin. The type size must be clear and readily legible, and conform to all three requirements:

1. The height of the letters must not be smaller than 10 point.
2. Type density must be no more than 15 characters per 2.5 cm (for proportional spacing, the average for any representative section of text must not exceed 15 characters per 2.5 cm).
3. No more than 6 lines must be within a vertical space of 2.5 cm.

While the guidelines specified above establish the minimum type size requirements, PIs are reminded that readability is also extremely important and should be taken into account when selecting an appropriate font for use in the proposal.