The New Trend in Grant Applications: No More 11:59 PM Submissions

You Thought the Deadline Was Midnight? Think Again.

Hey there, fellow creators and entrepreneurs!

While reviewing several grant applications last month, I noticed something that caught me off guard, and I had to share.

But first, if you’re new here, welcome!

Hello from San Juan, Puerto Rico! 🇵🇷

I’m Danielle Desir Corbett, founder of Grants For Creators. I’m a former grants administrator turned 4x grant-funded travel creator with nearly a decade of experience in the game.

I’m all about helping creatives get the funding they deserve. And in this corner of the internet, I search for and share grants, fellowships, and funding opportunities for U.S.-based creatives and small business owners.

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The Grant Application Trend

Let’s talk about deadlines.

Gone are the days when 11:59 p.m. EST was the default.

More and more, I’m seeing midday deadlines — some closing as early as 3:00 p.m. And if you’re not paying attention to time zones, that adds another layer of complexity.

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Why This Matters

With deadlines popping up in Pacific, Central, and even Mountain Time — and some cutting off way earlier than midnight — it's crucial to:

• Always double-check the exact deadline time and time zone

• Submit early if possible, ideally days before

• Build a routine that doesn’t rely on last-minute submissions

This subtle shift could be the difference between hitting “submit” or missing out completely.

*Plugging our resource*

Yet another reason why our Grant Application Planner is such a handy tool. It helps you track not only deadlines but also quirks like early cutoffs or time zones.

As grant programs evolve, I’ll keep sharing the latest trends I’m spotting like funders accepting limited submissions.

Good luck with your applications!

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Sounds good? Let’s get you closer to your next grant win. Reserve your spot today, and we’ll see you LIVE on Tuesday, July 29th from 6:00–7:30 p.m. EST.

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