How to read a funding announcement

Federal funding announcements can be long. Read these parts first to decide quickly whether an opportunity is worth your time.

1. Eligibility

Check the eligible applicant types and the additional eligibility text. Look for limits on location, organization size, prior awards, or partnerships.

2. Deadlines and key dates

Note the application due date and time zone, any required letter of intent, and whether the opportunity has multiple rounds. Gov Funds Finder shows the close date from Grants.gov; the full announcement controls.

3. Award information

Award floor and ceiling, expected number of awards, and total program funding tell you how competitive it may be. Some agencies do not publish ranges; we never estimate one for them.

4. Cost sharing or match

If a match is required, you must contribute your own cash or in-kind resources. Grants.gov records whether cost sharing is required; the announcement explains how much.

5. Review criteria

The criteria and their weights show what reviewers will score. Structure your application around them.

6. Submission instructions

Check required forms, page limits, and the submission system. Many applications go through Grants.gov; some agencies use their own systems.