The United States Government administers one of the world’s most extensive systems of grants and financial assistance programs. These mechanisms provide critical support for research, education, health care, infrastructure, social services, and community development. 

Unlike loans, which must be repaid, grants are transfers of public funds provided for specific purposes, subject to strict eligibility rules, reporting requirements, and oversight. For universities, research institutions, non-profit organisations, and community groups, U.S. Government grants represent a central pathway for advancing projects that align with national priorities. 

The Structure of the U.S. Grants System

U.S. grants and funding programs are governed at the federal level and are administered through more than two dozen Cabinet-level departments and numerous independent agencies. Oversight is coordinated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which issues guidelines to ensure accountability and compliance. 

The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) functions as the official government-wide registration system, while Grants.gov serves as the central portal for discovering and applying for federal funding opportunities.
 
Grants.gov, established in 2002, provides access to thousands of funding announcements each year from agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Education (ED), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Defense (DoD). 

Applicants can search by agency, funding type, or keyword, and registered users can submit proposals electronically. This centralisation has substantially improved accessibility and transparency.
 

Major U.S. Funding Agencies

Health and medical research constitutes the largest proportion of U.S. Government grant expenditure. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) allocates over US$45 billion annually to support biomedical research across universities, hospitals, and laboratories in the United States and globally. NIH grants are highly competitive and are considered a benchmark for excellence in scientific research.
 
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is the primary funder of basic research across the sciences, mathematics, and engineering, excluding most biomedical fields. With an annual budget exceeding US$9 billion, the NSF supports investigator-initiated proposals, training grants, and major facilities such as observatories and computing centres.
 
The Department of Education funds a wide range of grants, including Title I programs to support disadvantaged schools, Pell Grants for low-income students, and research grants through the Institute of Education Sciences. Similarly, the Department of Energy funds research in clean energy, physics, and advanced manufacturing, while the Department of Defense sponsors both applied research and basic science to strengthen national security and technological capability.
 

Accessing U.S. Government Grants

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements, which vary by program. Universities, state and local governments, non-profits, small businesses, and tribal organisations are among the most common recipients. Individuals may apply for certain education and fellowship programs, though most grants are institutional.

Registration through SAM.gov is a prerequisite, as it provides a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) required for all federal applications. Proposals are assessed through peer review or agency evaluation against published criteria, with awards contingent on merit, feasibility, and alignment with program objectives.
 

Accountability and Reporting

U.S. Government grants are accompanied by rigorous compliance obligations. Recipients must use funds exclusively for approved purposes and maintain detailed financial and performance records. The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly known as the Uniform Guidance) establishes the standards for cost allowability, procurement, and audit. Public accountability is reinforced through the USAspending.gov platform, which publishes information on awarded grants and contracts, allowing citizens to track how federal funds are used.