How federal grants work

A federal grant is money an agency awards to carry out a public purpose defined by law — research, community services, conservation, training, and so on. It is not a loan and usually does not need to be repaid, but it comes with rules about how the money is spent and reported.

Where opportunities are announced

Most federal agencies post competitive grant opportunities on Grants.gov. Each posting is a funding opportunity (often called a notice of funding opportunity, or NOFO) with an opportunity number, eligibility rules, deadlines, and instructions. Gov Funds Finder imports these postings daily and links back to the official version.

Some postings are forecasts: the agency expects to post the opportunity later and may share estimated dates. Forecast dates are estimates and can change or be cancelled.

Who can apply

Each opportunity lists eligible applicant types — for example small businesses, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, state governments, or tribal governments. If your organization type is not listed, you generally cannot apply directly, though you may be able to partner with an eligible organization. Always read the agency's additional eligibility text; it often narrows the list.

What you need before applying

• An active registration in SAM.gov, which assigns your Unique Entity ID. Registration is free.
• A Grants.gov applicant account connected to your organization.
• Time. Registrations can take weeks, and strong applications take longer. Start well before the deadline.

After you apply

Applications are typically reviewed by the agency and sometimes by outside experts against published criteria. Many applications are not funded. If you receive an award, you agree to terms that include allowable costs, reporting, and record-keeping.

Ready to look? Search current opportunities.