> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.tahua.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.tahua.io/knowledge-base/administrator-help-guides/applications/how-to-submit-a-late-application.md).

# How to Submit a Late Application

Once a funding round closes, applicants can no longer start or submit applications on their own. If you need to accept a late application, which option you use depends on whether the applicant had already started one before the deadline.

## If the applicant never started an application

The applicant can't create a new application once the round is closed, so you'll need to complete it on their behalf.

{% stepper %}
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### Navigate to the Grant

Go to the Grants/Funding Rounds area and find the round you want to complete the application within. Click the down arrow on the right hand side of its row and click on "Complete Application on Behalf".
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### Select the applicant

Select the applicant you are filling the application on behalf of. If the applicant does not exist in the system yet, invite them under Users > Applicants first.
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### Complete the application

Click "Select" and this will take you through to the application form to complete using the information the applicant sent you (email, PDF, hard copy, etc.).
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See [How to Create an Application on Behalf of an Applicant](/knowledge-base/administrator-help-guides/applications/how-to-create-an-application-on-behalf-of-an-applicant.md) for the full walkthrough.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Alternative:** You don't have to fill in the whole application yourself. You can use "Complete Application on Behalf" just to start the application and save your progress, then unlock it (see the next section) so the applicant can log in and finish and submit the rest themselves.
{% endhint %}

## If the applicant already started an application

If an application already exists but hasn't been submitted - whether the applicant created it themselves before the round closed, or you started it for them using "Complete Application on Behalf" - you can unlock it so **they** can finish and submit it themselves, no need to complete it for them.

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### Navigate to All Applications

Go to **Application > All Applications** and find the applicant's unsubmitted application.
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### Open Application Editing

Click **Application Editing and Unlock with message**.
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### Set a deadline and message

Write the applicant a message letting them know they can now finish and submit their application, and set how long they have to do it using the datetime picker. Once that time elapses, the application locks again automatically.
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### Applicant submits

The applicant logs in, finishes their application, and submits it themselves before the deadline you set.
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See [Unlock an Application](/knowledge-base/administrator-help-guides/applications/editing-applications-after-submission/unlock-an-application.md) for more detail on the unlock feature.

{% hint style="info" %}
Either way, submitting late always requires an admin action first - applicants can't bypass a closed round on their own.
{% endhint %}