> This is the Markdown of a Backed Help Centre page, https://admin.backed.giving/help/administrator/funding-rounds/multi-stage-grant-rounds.md. Every page is listed at https://admin.backed.giving/help/llms.txt.

> This page uses Backed's default terms, such as Funding Round and Application Template. An organisation may rename them, so read each as your organisation's own term if you've renamed it.

A multi-stage grant round runs as two or more rounds linked in order. A common example is an
expression of interest, then a full application from the applicants you shortlist. Each stage is a
grant round of its own, with its own form, dates and assessment.

Labels that name `Grant` and `Application` use your organisation's own term if you've renamed it.

## Add a stage

1. Go to `Plan > Grants`, open the actions menu on the first stage and select `Add Stage`.
2. The new stage's set-up opens. It notes the `Previous stage`.
3. Set it up as you would any round. See [Create a grant round](create-a-grant-round.md).

## Choose the applications that move on

1. In the stage's set-up, under `Selected Applications`, open `Select Applications`.
2. Search the previous stage's applications, tick the ones that move on (or `Select all on this
   page`) and select `Add Selected`.
3. Only submitted applications can move on. Backed names any it could not add and why.

To move on an assessment round's shortlist, enter its tag under `Tags` (such as `shortlisted`):
only applications with that tag are listed. Separate several tags with commas to list applications
with any of them.

Use `Remove` to take an application off the list before the stage is published. Selections are fixed
once the stage is published. After that, remove a stage application from its `Applications` tab: the
applicant no longer sees the stage, their application in the previous stage is not changed, and no
email is sent. A submitted stage application cannot be removed.

The round's page shows how many stage applications have been created, for example
`3 of 5 Stage Applications created`.

## Carry answers forward

Turn on `Copy values from the previous stage` to fill the new stage's form with the answers already
given. With it on, you can only choose the previous stage's application form or a Linked Template of
it. Create a linked template with `Create Linked Template` under `Plan > Form templates`: each copied
field keeps a link to the field it came from.

## See also

- [Form builder](../applications/form-builder.md)
- [Publish and unpublish](publish-and-unpublish.md)