What You Need to Know Before You Compete for a Federal Grant!
Newbies, visit the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance at cfda.gov for a detailed overview of grants you may be eligible for. Grant descriptions include the purpose of the grant, its uses and restrictions, eligibility requirements, and other related information. On the CFDA website they have information on the grant application process. It is good reference material.
Veteran applicants, who have a better idea of what type of grant they need, may prefer to go directly to grants.gov, which provides specific details and also allows you to apply online.
Prepare to apply.
There is no application fee, but you must obtain a DUNS number and System for Rewards Management (SAM, formerly CCR) and registering with SAM can take up to a week or more. If you want to receive a grant at a certain time, plan accordingly. Also, don’t wait until the last minute to try to submit your prize electronically.
• Get a DUNS number
Federal policy requires that anyone doing business with the federal government have a DUNS number. Go to http://www.dnb.com and click on “D&B DUNS Number” on the top right tab. On the next page, click the “Next” tab in the “For US Government Contractors, Vendors, and Grant Recipients” box. on the right side of the page. Follow the instructions. There is no charge for this number.
• Sign up for SAM.gov (System for Rewards Management).
Federal policy also requires that anyone doing business with the federal government, including those seeking grants, be registered with the SAM. Go to sam.gov Follow the instructions.
•Documents you need if you are applying for a federal grant for the first time:
Intention letter. As an individual, this would be your resume and why you would be appropriate for funding. A business or organization must include an organizational resume and why the grant would be appropriate.
References. These should be professionals capable of discussing your qualifications for the grant. Support cards are perfect. You’ll want to make friends with your political support staff, because it carries a lot of weight when you have a letter of support from your congressional delegate.
• When you have all your documents in order, a DUNS number, and are registered with SAM, you can now register on Grants.gov to submit a grant application electronically. Whatever you do, don’t wait until the last minute to submit your grant, give yourself at least 48 hours.
One last piece of advice, if you don’t have your DUN or SAM number, give yourself up to three weeks to get those items.