Frequently Asked Questions

What is SAM.gov Assistance Listings?

SAM.gov Assistance Listings (formerly the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance or CFDA) is the official U.S. government database of all federal financial assistance programs. It is maintained by the General Services Administration and contains over 2,000 federal programs offering grants, loans, insurance, and other forms of assistance.

What is a CFDA number?

A CFDA number (now called an Assistance Listing number) is a unique identifier assigned to each federal assistance program in the format XX.XXX — for example, 93.268 for the Immunization Grants program from HHS. These numbers are used consistently across SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and USASpending.gov.

Can I apply for grants directly through PlainGrants?

No. PlainGrants is a discovery and research tool only. We help you find relevant programs and link to the official program pages. All applications must be submitted through the appropriate official channel — usually Grants.gov or the administering agency's own portal.

Who is eligible to apply for federal grants?

Eligibility varies by program. Common eligible applicant types include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, for-profit small businesses (less common), state and local governments, tribal governments, public universities, and in some cases individuals. PlainGrants lets you filter programs by eligibility type to find those you may qualify for.

How do I know if a program is still active?

PlainGrants displays programs as listed in SAM.gov Assistance Listings. However, program funding and application periods change frequently. Always click through to the official SAM.gov listing or contact the program officer directly to verify current program status and open application windows.

Do I need to register in SAM.gov before applying?

Most federal grants require applicants to be registered in SAM.gov (formerly System for Award Management) with an active registration. Some programs also require registration on Grants.gov. The SAM.gov registration process typically takes 7–10 business days. Start early.

Is PlainGrants affiliated with SAM.gov or Grants.gov?

No. PlainGrants is not affiliated with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, or any federal agency. We are an independent information resource that presents public government data in a more accessible format.