Federal Grants

Guidance and key resources to help eligible grant-seekers 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 August 2018.

How Best to Find Information

  1. 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 Loans may also be of help.
  2. If eligible, search for program information at Assistance Listings . This includes grants, loans, business and nonfinancial help.
  3. Go to federal websites given in each Assistance Listing program description for more information and for state administering agencies responsible for managing these programs.
  4. Check current federal grants opportunities at Grants.gov, obtain a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number, register with System for Award Management (SAM) and apply online (links and instructions given at the website). Additional notices appear at FedConnect.net.
  5. Search foundations for project funding: use the Foundation Center Web site or Foundation Center Funding Information Network in libraries to identify national, state, and community foundations.
  6. Learn how to write grant proposals: take the free online Foundation Center Proposal Writing Short Course.

Key Federal Funding Sources

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 System for Award Management (SAM) and Grants.gov to apply and to track applications. See also website FedConnect.net for additional grants and contracts opportunities. 

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.

Related Federal Resources

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 Loans.

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 can be found on Grants.gov or FedConnect.net. 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 Grants (Dept. of Homeland Security)
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. Contact homeland security State Offices. 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 Fund your business links at the Small Business Administration website.

USA.gov for Nonprofits (GSA)
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.

Private & Corporate Funding Sources

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.

  • Guide to Funding Research An overview of the funding research process for those seeking grants from foundations, corporations, and grantmaking public charities.
  • Proposal Writing Courses
  • Foundation Finder Search for information about more than 70,000 private and community foundations.
  • Requests for Proposals Daily postings of requests for proposals (RFPs) from private funding sources by broad subject category.
  • Funding Information Network (FIN) Free funding information available in libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit centers nationwide, including access to the Foundation Directory Online database.

The Grantsmanship Center

Grant Resources by State 
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.

Tracking Federal Funds

  • USAspending.gov (Office of Management and Budget)
    A free, searchable database of federal government spending based upon Census and General Services Administration statistical data. Use Advance Search page to generate displays and reports by place of performance, including by congressional district, or by federal department or agency.