The federal grant process is fairly complex. As a grantseeker, you must ensure that you conduct the proper research, and that the grant you apply for coincides with the mission of your program. Each grant award will require you to prepare and submit a grant application/proposal. Be sure to allow yourself sufficient time to prepare the proposal before the award deadline, as proposal writing could take anywhere from 1-4 weeks. Federal grant programs are highly competitive and winning approval for these grants can be difficult. Once you have obtained information regarding a federal grant, developed your proposal, completed the application, you may also wish to contact me to request a Congressional Letter of Support. Although a letter of support is no guarantee that a project will be funded, our office is more than willing to do so, only after your proposal has been submitted.
The following information was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). It gives guidance and Internet resources on Federal grants, as well as on private foundation funding.
Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance
Guidance and key resources to help eligible grantseekers find information on federal grants, loans, and nonfinancial assistance for projects, as well as on private funding. Prepared by the Congressional Research Service for Members of Congress, updated November 2009.
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How Best to Find Information |
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- Find out Who is Eligible for a Grant? Other government websites may be more suitable for personal needs, student loans, small business assistance , or other business opportunities such as government contracting. The website Government Benefits, Grants, and Financial Aid may also be of help.
- If eligible, search for program information in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). Includes grants, loans, business and nonfinancial help.
- Contact federal office given in CFDA program description: if state or local office is indicated, check Regional Agency Offices at top of CFDA website for addresses.
- Go to federal websites given in each CFDA program description for more information and for state administering agencies responsible for managing these programs.
- Check current federal grants opportunities at Grants.gov, obtain a Dun and Bradstreet a DUNS number, register
with Central Contractor Registration a CCR number, and apply online (links and instructions given at the website).
- Search foundations for project funding: use the
Foundation Center Web site or Foundation Center Cooperating Collections in libraries to identify national, state, and community foundations.
- Learn how to write grant proposals: follow CFDA’s Developing and Writing Grant Proposals, or take the free online Foundation Center Proposal Writing Short Course.
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Key Federal Funding Sources |
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Grants.gov (managed by Dept.
of Health and Human Services)
Federal website that allows eligible grantseekers (see Who is Eligible for a Grant?) to find and apply for current competitive grant opportunities from ALL federal agencies. Grantseekers can check on notices of funding availability (NOFA) posted in the last 7 days; access an RSS feed of grant opportunities; and apply for federal grants through a unified process by downloading the application and submitting online. The website guides grantseekers in obtaining a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number and registering with Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and registering with Grants.gov to apply and to track applications. For full federal program descriptions, see CFDA below.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (General Services Administration)
The Catalog (CFDA), issued annually and updated continuously on the Web, describes some 1600 federal grants and non financial assistance programs. Grantseekers can identify programs that might support their projects and can learn the program’s objectives, requirements, application procedures and contacts. For current notices of funding availability, see Grants.gov.
State ’Single Points of Contact’ (Office of Management and Budget)
Under Executive Order 12372, some states require federal grants applicants to submit a copy of their application for state government level review and comment. The state offices listed here coordinate federal financial assistance and may direct federal development. For help in identifying state-level grants, other state government agencies websites may be found at: State and Local Agencies by Topic.
CFDA in Local Libraries (Government Printing Office)
Although the Catalog is available full-text on the Internet, some may prefer a print edition. However, only the Web Catalog is continuously updated. The published volume is annual with no supplements. The Catalog is available in all states in Federal Depository Libraries.
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Related Federal Resources |
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Recovery.gov (The White House)
Federal assistance under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes grants-in-aid to state and local governments. Agency Recovery Sites links to information about federal agency and department programs. State Recovery Sites cover state projects and state contacts for grants programs. The United States Conference of Mayors Main Street Economic Recovery website gives State Breakdown of ARRA and Key Program Summaries.
A-Z Index of U.S. Departments and Agencies (General Services Administration)
To better develop a grant proposal, search a department or agency’s Home Page to learn more about its programs and objectives. The site USA.gov also links to Government Benefits, Grants and Financial Aid.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Department of Energy)
Grants are EERE’s primary funding vehicle for businesses, industries, universities and others. Most EERE grants are awarded on merit on a competitive basis. EERE financial assistance opportunities are listed in the Financial Opportunities by Audience database and on Grants.gov. For state-by-state information on state, local. utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, search DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency).
Homeland Security State Contacts & Grant Award Information (Dept. of Homeland Security)
Click on map for state allocations and contact information. Most Homeland Security non-disaster grant programs are designated for state and local governments and specific entities such as colleges, etc. Unsolicited applications from individuals are generally not accepted. Includes Urban Area Security Initiative, Citizens Corps, Medical Response System, Operation Stonegarden (border security), Infrastructure Protection. Programs for firefighters may be found at Assistance to Firefighters.
USA.gov for Business (GSA)
Includes contracting with the U.S. government, international trade and exporting, and small business. See also financial assistance links at Business.gov and the Small Business Administration websites.
USA.gov for Nonprofits (General Services Administration)
Links to federal department and agency information and service for nonprofit organizations, including fundraising and outreach, grants, loans and other assistance, laws and regulations, management and operations, online services, registration and licensing, and tax information.
Student Aid on the Web (Dept. of Education)
Information on funding education beyond high school, including grants, loans, and work-study assistance to qualified students.
GovBenefits.gov (via Department of Labor)
Includes information on over 1,000 government assistance programs, and how to apply. Covers direct payment, loan, insurance, training, or other services.
FTC Consumer Alert (Federal Trade Commission)
The FTC warns consumers to beware of paying "processing fees" for information that is available free to the public. Ads claiming federal grants are available for home repairs, home business, unpaid bills, or other personal expenses are often a scam.
OMB Grants Management Web Site (Office of Management and Budget)
OMB establishes government-wide grants management policies and guidelines through circulars
and common rules. OMB Circulars are cited in Catalog program descriptions and may be printed out fulltext.
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Private & Corporate Funding Sources |
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The Foundation Center
Gateway to information about private funding sources, the grant seeking process, guidelines on writing a grant proposal, addresses of state libraries with grants reference collections, and links to other useful Internet websites. The Center maintains a comprehensive database on foundations; produces print and electronic directories and guides; conducts research and publishes studies in the field; and offers a variety of training and educational seminars.
Grant Resources by State (Grantsmanship Center)
Click on state map to find links to information about a state’s foundations, community foundations, corporate giving programs and the state’s home page.
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Tracking Federal Funds |
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- USAspending.gov (Office of Management and Budget)
A free, searchable database of federal government spending based upon Census and General Services Administration statistical data. Grants and Contracts must be searched separately: by individual organization or grant recipient; by place of performance, including by congressional district; or by federal department or agency.
- Federal Aid to States
(Census Bureau)
FAS details actual expenditures of federal grant funds to state and local governments. Figures are presented to the state level by program area and agency.
- Consolidated Federal Funds Report (Census Bureau)
In CFFR, grants generally represent obligations and include payments both to state and local governments and to nongovernmental recipients. Data is provided for state and county levels.
