About Federal Grants

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) lists the grants of all federal agencies and indexes them for browsing in several ways including such information as function, applicant eligibility, beneficiary, etc. The Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) is a statewide compendium of state projects that provide financial assistance to non-state entities. As the basic reference source for state projects, the primary purpose of the CSFA is to assist users in obtaining general information on state projects and identifying state projects that meet specific objectives. State projects are cataloged by agency and are assigned a CSFA number for easy referencing. CFDA: http://12.46.245.173/cfda/cfda.html

A Federal Grant is an award of financial assistance from a Federal agency to a recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States. A grant is not used to acquire property or services for the Federal government’s direct benefit. Twenty-six Federal agencies annually offer over 1,000 grant programs in various categories. For more information about Grants.gov, click here.

Grant Categories

More than 1,000 grant programs are offered by the 26 Federal grant-making agencies, and these programs fall into 21 categories. Select any of the categories below to learn more about specific grants and agencies. Some agencies may be listed in multiple grant categories.

• Agriculture
• Arts
• Business and Commerce
• Community Development
• Disaster Prevention and Relief
• Education
• Employment, Labor and Training
• Energy
• Environmental Quality
• Food and Nutrition
• Health
• Housing
• Humanities
• Information and Statistics
• Law, Justice and Legal Services
• Natural Resources
• Regional Development
• Science and Technology
• Social Services and Income Security
• Transportation

Agencies that Provide Grants

The Department of Health and Human Services is the Grants.gov program’s managing partner, and allows access to the 26 Federal grant-making agencies available through this convenient E-Government initiative. Below are the links to those agency websites. If you would like to learn more about grants specific to these agencies, please click here.

• Agency for International Development
  The Agency for International Development is an independent Federal government agency that provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries to ensure a better future for us all.
• Corporation for National and Community Service
  The Corporation for National and Community Service is the nation’s largest grant-maker supporting service and volunteering. Through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America programs, the Corporation is a catalyst for change and offers every American a chance to contribute through service and volunteering.
• Department of Agriculture
  Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
• Department of Commerce
  The Department of Commerce fosters and promotes the nation’s economic development and technological advancement through vigilance in international trade policy, domestic business policy and growth, and promoting economic progress at all levels.
• Department of Defense
  The Department of Defense provides the military forces needed to deter war and protect the security of the United States through five major areas: peacekeeping and war-fighting efforts, Homeland Security, evacuation and humanitarian causes.
• Department of Education
  The Department of Education ensures equal access to education and promotes educational excellence through coordination, management and accountability in Federal education programs. The Department works to supplement and complement educational efforts on all levels, encouraging increased involvement by the public, parents and students.
• Department of Energy
  The Department of Energy’s goal is to advance national, economic and energy security in the U.S.; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that goal; and to ensure environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex.
• Department of Health and Human Services
  The Department of Health and Human Services is the Federal government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially to those who are least able to help themselves.
• Department of Homeland Security
  The Department of Homeland Security has three primary missions: Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.
• Department of Housing and Urban Development
  The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. HUD fulfills this mission through high ethical standards, management and accountability, and by forming partnerships with community organizations.
• Department of the Interior
  The Department of the Interior protects and provides access to the Nation’s natural and cultural heritage, including responsibilities to Indian tribes and island communities. Departmental goals include resource protection and usage, overseeing recreational opportunities, serving communities and excellence in management.
• Department of Justice
  The Department of Justice enforces the law and defends the interest of the United States, ensuring public safety against threats foreign and domestic; providing Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; seeking just punishment for those guilty of unlawful pursuits; and ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.
• Department of Labor
  The Department of Labor fosters and promotes the welfare of job seekers, wage earners and retirees by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities, protecting their retirement and health benefits and generally protecting worker rights and monitoring national economic measures.
• Department of State
  The Department of State strives to create a more secure, democratic and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the international community.
• Department of Transportation
  The Department of Transportation’s mission is to ensure fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation that meets vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
• Department of the Treasury
  The Department of Treasury is a steward of United States economic and financial systems, and promotes conditions for prosperity and stability in the U.S., and encourages prosperity and stability in the rest of the world.
• Department of Veterans Affairs
  The Department of Veterans Affairs strives for excellence in patient care and veteran’s benefits for its constituents through high quality, prompt and seamless service to United States veterans.
• Environmental Protection Agency
  The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.
• Institute of Museum and Library Services
  The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of Federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute serves as a leader in providing services to enhance learning, sustain cultural heritage and increase civic participation.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration serves as the nation’s forefront of such exploration and continues to pioneer in aeronautics, exploration systems, science and space operations.
• National Archives and Records Administration
  The National Archives and Records Administration enables people to inspect the record of what the Federal government has done, enables officials and agencies to review their actions and helps citizens hold them accountable.
• National Endowment for the Arts
  The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts; bringing the arts to all Americans and providing leadership in arts education. The Endowment is the largest national source of funds for the arts.
• National Endowment for the Humanities
  The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation and public programs in the humanities.
• National Science Foundation
  The National Science Foundation is an independent Federal agency created to promote the progress of science, to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare and to secure the national defense. The NSF annually funds approximately 20 percent of basic, Federally-supported college and university research.
• Small Business Administration
  The Small Business Administration maintains and strengthens the nation’s economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from national disasters.
• Social Security Administration
  The Social Security Administration advances the economic security of the nation’s people through compassionate and vigilant leadership in shaping and managing America’s Social Security programs.

Eligibility

There are many groups of organizations that are eligible to apply for government grants. Typically, most grantee organizations fall into the following categories. 

Government Organizations 

• State Governments 
• Local Governments 
• City or Township Governments 
• Special District Governments
• Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
• Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized)

Education Organizations

• Independent School Districts 
• Public and State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
• Private Institutions of Higher Education

Public Housing Organizations

• Public Housing Authorities
• Indian Housing Authorities

Non-Profit Organizations

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

For profit organizations other than small businesses

Small Businesses

*Individuals

Please note that most grant opportunities are directed towards organizations that assist individuals. If you are looking for public assistance or information on government benefits, please go to GovBenefits.gov, the official government benefits website. If you are interested in student loans, please go to Studentaid.ed.gov.

Grant Writing Resources

Sample Proposals Online	Budget Development
School Grant Proposals	Salaries
Demographics, Data & Statistics Resources	Free Online Tutorials and Tips
Agency for Workforce Innovation Education Publications FirstGov Florida Business Statistics Library of Congress Government Census Quick Facts Labor Market Data Living Standards and Labor Markets National Child Care Information Center Statistics and Research Title I Programs US Bureau of Labor Statistics US Department of Health and Human Services Joint Center for Poverty Research	Free Online Courses and Tutorials NIAID Funding and Council News Center Applying for Federal Grants (PowerPoint) The Grantsmanship Center Developing Quality Proposals (PDF) NonProfitexpert.com CFDA --- Developing Grant Proposals Secondary School Educators Grant-writing Tips Grant Writing Tools