Eligibility Criteria for Federal Government Funding Opportunities

Applying for federal grants is free, but not all organizations or individuals qualify. Knowing eligibility criteria can streamline the application process and avoid wasted effort. Grants can be awarded to both entities and individuals. Eligible organizations include:

Government entities

• State Governments
• County Governments
• District Authorities
• Municipal Governments
• Recognized Native American Tribal Governments
• Non-recognized Native American Tribes

Educational Institutions

• Public School Districts
• State or Local Public Universities
• Private Higher Education Providers

Additional eligible applicants for federal funding

• Public Housing Authorities, including Indian Housing Authorities
• Non-profit organizations, whether or not they hold IRS 501(c)3 status, excluding higher education institutions
• Organizations other than small businesses
• Small Businesses: The SBA (Small Business Administration) sets size standards prior to grant allocation
• Individual applicants seeking direct federal funding

Individuals applying as sole applicants can submit their own grant proposals. Most federal funding supports organizations and institutions, so individuals should explore all available programs beforehand.
Foreign applicants, whether individuals or organizations, must follow specific procedures, including filing tax returns with an EIN or TIN, unless the funds are used outside the U.S., such as for scholarships or fellowships. The eligibility and process depend on statutory provisions and agency policies.