A grant is a way for the government to fund ideas and projects.They are not provided as a benefit or assistance.The fact that they don't have to be repaid is one of the main differences between a grant and a loan.Federal grants can be given to an organization or an individual.There are many federal agencies that award grants.Each has its own requirements and procedures.It is possible to navigate the maze of federal grants, even if it is difficult.
Step 1: Determine if you are eligible for a grant.
Government, educational, and non-profit are some of the organizations that receive federal grants.Although specific eligibility for a particular grant can only be determined when you view the grant's requirements, the government divides the categories into sub- categories to make it easier to see if you are eligible.State governments, county governments and city or township governments are examples of government organizations.There are independent school districts, public and state controlled institutions of higher education.Indian housing authorities and public housing organizations.Nonprofits that don't have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS are also nonprofits.Small businesses meeting the size standards established by the SBA are for-profit organizations.They are individuals.Grants are available for certain graduate studies.There are foreign applicants.There are additional steps to the registration process for foreign applicants.
Step 2: The federal agencies award grants.
You will need to find a grant that is relevant to your organization.You would most likely look at Department of Education grants if you represent a school district.A description of what each agency does and a list of the federal agencies awarding grants can be found here.
Step 3: You can search for grants.
It is time to find grants for your organization if they fall into one of the sub- categories.There are many ways to find federal grants.Grants.gov has a search engine.You can specify an agency, such as the Department of Education, or search all agencies in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.There is a loans and grants search tool on SBA.gov.You can check on your state's website.You can find federal grants for state programs.
Step 4: The agency may have a Request for Proposals.
RFP's, which are designed to address a particular issue using concepts and strategies developed by the funder, are almost all government grant sources.This is a way to apply for a grant.If you fit the issue listed in the RFP, you could be an ideal match.
Step 5: Understand what funders want.
Federal grant funders have their own requirements.The project you are seeking funding for should have a high priority within your community, as there are some common characteristics that grant funders want to see.Explain the need from a human interest point of view if it fills a need.There must be a link between the project description and the results you are claiming to achieve.The project needs to make sense.The project has an impact on the community.If the project involves construction, indicate how many jobs will be created and how long they will last.If it is going to have a negative effect, be open about it.You need to show that your organization can complete the project.If you don't have confidence in your ability to see it through, funders will not give you money.Talk about your experience in these types of undertakings.If there are areas of the project where you are a little weak, show how you brought in experts to fill the gaps.Funders want to know about your organization's accountability.The role of your board of directors or trustees in overseeing the project is significant, as is establishing anticipated project checkpoints to make sure things are progressing as planned.There is a strong local commitment to the project.Financial contributions and service volunteers are committed by the local community.Grant providers want to be involved in funding the project.
Step 6: Understand your proposed funder as well as possible.
The more you know about a funder, the less likely you are to make a mistake.Search online for any information that relates to the funder you are interested in.If it gives you more insight into how this funder operates, it will help. The agency's latest annual report could also contain useful facts.Request a copy from the agency if it is not online.It is possible that your organization received a grant from the funder.If the organization isn't currently seeking the same grant you are, the person in that company that dealt with the funder could be a tremendous help in apprising you of how to approach it.The funding agency has a bidder conference.The grant application packet is explained at many federal agencies.You should find out if the grant you are interested in has a scheduled one.It is hard to imagine a better source of information than the agency's own representatives.
Step 7: An authorized organization representative is appointed.
You will begin the pre-application process once you have determined the grant that fits your needs.Pick someone from your organization to serve as an AOR.The person will deal with the government on your behalf.
Step 8: Grants.gov is where you can register your organization.
You need to register in order to use the website.Obtain a DUNS number to register as an organization.The process can be started here.There is no fee for the number.Register with SAM.gov.The system for award management is here.There is no registration fee for this site.An E-Biz POC is what your organization will designate during this process.The person in your organization authorizes others to represent your company.The Chief Financial Officer of the company is usually the E-Biz POC.You have to create a password and a usernames.Allow the AOR.To confirm your company's choice for an AOR, you must log into the Grants.gov website.
Step 9: As an individual, you can sign up with Grants.gov.
You can apply for a grant on the Grants.gov website.You need the Funding Opportunity Number to register.After you fill out the registration form, you can choose a password.
Step 10: Needed documents should be gathered.
Each grant agency has its own document requirements.Internal financial audits and financial statements for last year and the current year are some of the documents you'll want to have available.
Step 11: You can download the grant application package.
This can be obtained at the Grants.gov website.The forms and instructions for processing this grant will be contained in this.
Step 12: First, create a list.
The instructions and forms are in the grant package.It's a good idea to make a list of all the requested information.It is important for you to have a complete itemization of everything that is required because award grants are sticklers for detail.Federal funders use a point system to assess grant proposals.A spectrum of 1-9, where 1 is exceptional and 9 is poor.Points can be given for the overall impact of the proposal, as well as individual criteria set by the agency.When you get your grant package, identify the criteria on which your submission will be judged, and address each as completely as possible.
Step 13: To avoiddisqualification, complete the forms thoroughly.
Some agencies request more forms than others, and each grant has its own forms.To make sure you haven't left anything out, compare your finished product to the one you prepared.If you havemitted items, your grant could be rejected.
Step 14: You should be familiar with the more common forms.
You will most likely find some forms in the grant application package.For both construction and non-construction grants, the SBA has some here.You can get a head start on the application process by becoming acquainted with them.The cover form is one of the forms.Information on your organization and the project for which you are requesting the grant is requested.The forms contain budget information.You need to address individual sections.The budget summary is one of these.This is where you indicate the federal money you are seeking, as well as any non-federal matching funds.Budget categories.There is a breakdown of the budget categories.There are non-federal resources.Here you will find the sources of the money not coming from the grant.Predicted grant needs.You can give a best estimate of your first-year grant-funding needs here.Predicted grant needs for years.This only applies to a grant for multiple years.There is assurance form.This is your representation to the government that you can fulfill your responsibilities as a grant recipient.
Step 15: The grant proposal needs to be written.
This is the document you will submit to the funder, which outlines the various aspects of the project, as well as its budgetary requirements.Rules of thumb include preparing an outline first, including the funder's criteria and the points you want to make about your organization.When writing the proposal, you can expand on this.Use clear, straightforward language.Don't use jargon that may be common in your industry.It may be second-nature to you, but the funder's reviewers might not know what you're talking about.If you want to build a compelling case for your request, back it up with evidence.Grant reviewers can spot a lot of hype in a short period of time.Your application can be doomed by anything less than complete candor.The proposal should be easy for the reviewer to read.Break it up into paragraphs.Go easy on the bold print and not use all capital letters.The grant package has instructions on how to format.Don't sound desperate if you're in the midst of a funding crisis.This tends to show weakness and instability, which is likely to turn off reviewers.
Step 16: The proposal should be written.
Specific requirements for the proposal will be provided by the grant you're applying for.You have to follow those instructions.The proposal summary is one of the requested items.The goal of the project is outlined in this outline.This should be at the beginning of the proposal.It could be a cover letter or a separate page, and should not be more than a few paragraphs.The organization is described in an introduction.Information about the organization is what the purpose is.Establish your organization's credibility by making sure this information is relevant to the funder.The organization's goals, philosophy, track record with other grant awards, and any success stories should be included.The problem statement needs to be assessed.This explains the problem that will be addressed by the grant.The project objectives are listed.The methods to be used to achieve the goals will be identified here.The project methods are used.Specifics of how the project is expected to work and solve the problem being addressed are addressed.A project evaluation.This looks at how well the project met its goals and followed its original plan if it is already underway.If the project hasn't started, have someone knowledgeable in the field give you an evaluation of your project plans.Future funding.After the grant runs out, you describe a plan to keep the project going.The budget for the project.In detail, this lays out what the project will cost.You should be prepared to justify each and every expense.
Step 17: The application package should be submitted.
Go to Grants.gov and submit your application.Attach any needed documents and make sure you've provided all the requested information.The applications have to be in their entirety.Only AOR's can submit applications.
Step 18: Make sure your password is up to date.
Passwords can only be used for 60 days.To avoid log-in issues, mark your calendar to change your password before the first day.
Step 19: Confirmation of emails is something to watch.
You should keep an eye on the post-submission communication from Grants.gov and the agency from which you are seeking the grant.You need to make sure that your application submission has been received by Grants.gov and retrieved by the applicable agency.You should receive a submission receipt confirmation email within two days of submitting your application.If you don't get them, you can email Grants.gov or call.You will receive an additional email if your application is successfully validation and retrieved from the Grant.gov system by the agency to which you applied for the grant.The email may be delivered several days or weeks after you submitted the application.
Step 20: If you plan on applying for additional federal grants, keep your grant registration current.
The account will be disabled if you don't log in for a year.You can reactivate the account by logging in.The AOR must be reauthorized.