How to Apply for Government Grants in the USA

Applying for U.S. government grants starts with checking eligibility, then registering on SAM.gov and Grants.gov. Most grants support organizations, not individuals. Applications require careful reading of funding notices, accurate forms, and timely online submission via Grants.gov.

How to Apply for Government Grants in the USA

1. Understand Who Grants Are For

  • Federal grants are typically reserved for organizations—not individuals —such as nonprofits, educational institutions, state or local government entities, and tribal organizations.(Grants.gov)
  • Some personal assistance programs exist but are managed through benefit programs rather than grant portals.

2. Research Grant Opportunities

  • Visit Grants.gov, the official portal where all federal grant opportunities (known as Funding Opportunity Announcements or FOAs) are posted.

(Wikipedia, Wikipedia)

  • Use the site’s search tool to match grant opportunities to your goals or mission.(Grants.gov)

3. Register Before You Apply

You must complete several registrations well before application deadlines:

  1. SAM.gov – System for Award Management registration.
  2. DUNS or UEI number – Unique identifier for your organization.
  3. Grants.gov Applicant Account – Linked with Login.gov credentials.(ACL Administration for Community Living, Grants.gov)

Tip: Early registration helps avoid delays that could keep your application from being submitted in time.(Department of Transportation)

4. Prepare and Submit Your Application

  • Create a workspace on Grants.gov to assemble your application—this is a collaborative digital environment shared among team members.(Grants.gov)
  • Read the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) carefully—it contains details on eligibility, deadlines, required documents, evaluation criteria, and budgets.(Wikipedia)
  • Complete required forms, such as SF-424 (Request for Federal Assistance), budget narrative, and project descriptions. Use the built‑in workspace tools to check for and correct errors.(DOL)
  • Attach documentation, staying within file size limits (typically under 200 MB).(Grants.gov)
  • Submit your application through the workspace before the deadline—electronically via Grants.gov.(U.S. Department of Education)

5. Follow Up Post-Submission

  • Track your application status via your Grants.gov account.
  • Successful applicants may be subject to audits, such as the Single Audit, particularly if they receive over $750,000 in federal funds. These audits ensure proper compliance and financial stewardship.(Grants.gov, Wikipedia)

Quick Step-by-Step Overview

Step Action
1 Determine eligibility — Are you a qualifying organization?
2 Find relevant grants — Use Grants.gov to search FOAs
3 Register early — SAM.gov, obtain DUNS/UEI, create Grants.gov account
4 Prepare application — Read NOFO, draft narrative, assemble budget
5 Use workspace — Build forms, upload docs, verify correctness
6 Submit ahead of deadline — Ensure timely electronic submission
7 Track progress — Monitor through Grants.gov and prepare for audits

References You Can Verify

  • Official Grants.gov guidance including eligibility, registration, and workspace instructions.(Grants.gov, Grants.gov, Grants.gov, Grants.gov)
  • USA.gov clarification that most grants are only available to organizations, not individuals.(Grants.gov)
  • Investopedia overview of applying for small business grants, including tips for research, documentation, and competition levels.(Investopedia)
  • Single Audit requirements for federal grant recipients.(Wikipedia)
Sam Walker