As your Senator, I am able to provide guidance and assistance in locating Federal grant information. While there is a great deal of information available to grant seekers, it can sometimes be overwhelming. Please do not hesitate to contact my Little Rock office at 501-324-6336 for help in identifying or successfully applying for a grant.

In addition, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) has prepared the following links and resources that may be of assistance to you.

If you are new to writing grant proposals, CRS suggests a three step process:

Step 1: Search or browse the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) The CFDA provides the most comprehensive information about grant programs. Identify by keyword or other indexes federal grants, loans, business and non-financial assistance.

Step 2: Contact the Federal office indicated in CFDA program description: State or regional addresses and telephone numbers are given in CFDA Appendix IV: Federal Agency Contacts in Region/State.

Step 3: Learn how to write grant proposals: Follow CFDA guidelines Developing and Writing Grant Proposals, or take the Foundation Center Proposal Writing "Short Course."

 

KEY FEDERAL FUNDING RESOURCES

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The Catalog (CFDA), published twice a year by the General Services Administration (GSA), describes some 1,400 federal grants and non financial assistance programs administered by the departments and agencies of the federal government. It helps users identify programs that meet specific objectives of applicant projects and is intended to improve coordination and communication between the federal government and state and local applicants for federal assistance.

Catalog Indexes and Listings (GSA)
Although keyword searching is often a good place to start, also browse by broad subject, by federal department or agency, or by recipient category to identify more federal funding programs. CFDA program descriptions may provide direct links to local and regional federal office addresses, to related programs, and to Office of Management and Budget circulars.

Developing and Writing Grant Proposals (CFDA)
Guidance in formulating federal grant applications, including initial proposal development, basic components of a proposal, review recommendations, and referral to federal guidelines and literature.

Federal Agency Contacts in Region/State (CFDA Appendix IV)
Much of the federal grant budget moves to the states through formula and block grants -- state, regional, and local federal offices often handle grants applications and funds disbursement. Each federal agency has its own procedures: if the CFDA program description refers to a state or regional Information Contact as listed in Appendix IV, constituents/applicants should contact the federal department or agency office listed here before applying for funding to obtain the most up-to-date information.

State Single Points of Contact (CFDA)
Under Executive Order 12372 of 1962, federal grants applicants may be required to submit a copy of their application for state government level review and comment. The state offices listed here coordinate government (both federal and state) grants development and provide guidance to grants seekers.

CFDA in Print, CD-ROM, and Disk (Government Printing Office, GSA)
The printed Catalog is available the local depository libraries.Print, CD-ROM, and diskette formats of the Catalog may be purchased from the Government Printing Office (print) or the General Services Administration (CD-ROM or diskette).

RELATED FEDERAL RESOURCES

Official Federal Government Web Sites
To better develop a grant proposal, search a department or agency's Home Page to learn more about its programs and objectives. Some government departments or agencies have Web pages specifically designed for grant seekers.

Federal Commons
Provides one-stop access to all online U.S. government resources for grants. This section groups programs by broad subject categories.

U.S. Business Advisor
Small Business Administration Web page intended to provide business with one-stop access to federal government information, services, and transactions. 

Government Gateway (for State and Local Governments)
Thousands of grants and loans are made by the federal government to state and local governments and other public entities. This site provides one-stop access to Grants Management and Federal Assistance Programs, in addition to resources about Acquisition and Procurement, Financial Management and Taxes.

U.S. Government Nonprofit Gateway
Links to federal department and agency information and services to assist nonprofit organizations.

Federal Register (National Archives)
The Federal Register, printed each business day, publishes updates and notices affecting federal assistance programs. Scroll down to check current year; scroll down further to enter Catalog program number, or subject/keyword "AND CFDA" in Search Terms box.

Federal Funding Report (House Information Resources)
Weekly compilation of items published in the Federal Register which affect Federal domestic assistance programs. The summary consists of three parts: (1) Federal Register Summary, (2) Early Warning Grants Report, and (3) Disaster Loan Applications.

Notices of Funding Availability (via Department of Agriculture)
Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) are announcements that appear in the Federal Register inviting applications for federal grant programs. This page allows you to generate a customized listing of NOFAs by date, by broad subject terms, or by department/agency.

OMB Grants Management Web Site (Office of Management & Budget)
OMB establishes government-wide grants management policies and guidelines through circulars and common rules. OMB Circulars are cited in Catalog program descriptions: some program descriptions on the Internet version of the Catalog link directly to OMB Circulars required for program management, others just give OMB Circular numbers which may then be printed from this Web site.