Federal Grant Guides
Plain language answers to the questions that slow down federal applications. Every rule links to the official source it comes from.
How to Register in SAM.gov and Get a Unique Entity ID (UEI)
What SAM.gov registration is, the information to gather first, how long activation takes, and why you renew every year.
Read the guideHow to Apply for a Federal Grant on Grants.gov, Step by Step
From SAM.gov registration and Grants.gov roles to Workspace forms, submission, tracking numbers and agency review.
Read the guideSBIR vs STTR: Differences, Phases and Eligibility
The two federal R&D programs for small businesses, side by side: phases, award sizes, ownership, size and partnership rules.
Read the guideWriting a Federal Grant Budget and Budget Justification
The SF-424A cost categories, the 2 CFR 200 allowability tests, and how to write a justification reviewers can check.
Read the guideIndirect Costs and the De Minimis Rate Explained
The 15 percent de minimis rate, the MTDC base it applies to, who can elect it, and how to avoid double charging.
Read the guideFederal Grants for Nonprofits: Where to Start
Eligibility categories, the registrations to finish first, where federal money for nonprofits really flows, and the audit threshold.
Read the guideFederal Grants for Small Businesses: What Exists and What Doesn't
Why general startup grants are a myth, what SBIR and STTR fund, and the other federal programs that reach small firms.
Read the guideHow to Read a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
The nine NOFO sections defined in 2 CFR 200 Appendix I, what each tells you, and the go or no-go checks to run first.
Read the guideCommon Reasons Federal Grant Applications Are Rejected
The compliance and registration failures agencies themselves list, from missed deadlines to missing sections, and how to prevent them.
Read the guideHow to Spot a Grant Scam
The FTC's warning signs, from unsolicited "you qualify" calls to gift card fees, and what to do if you already paid.
Read the guideThese guides are general information, not legal or accounting advice. Rules change, so always confirm against the cited source and the specific funding notice before you apply.
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