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Grants Work in a Congressional Office
Merete F. Gerli
Information Research Specialist
August 14, 2014
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
http://www.crs.gov/
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Grants Work in a Congressional Office

Summary
Members of Congress receive frequent requests from grant seekers needing funds for projects in
districts and states. The congressional office should first determine its priorities regarding the
appropriate assistance to give constituents, from providing information on grants programs to
active advocacy of projects. Congressional grants staff can best help grant seekers by first
themselves gaining some understanding of the grants process.
Each office handles grants requests in its own way, depending upon the Member’s legislative
agenda and overall organization and workload. There may be a full-time grants specialist or
several staff members under the supervision of a grants coordinator working solely in the area of
grants and projects. In some offices, all grants requests are handled in the district or state office;
in others, they are answered by the Washington, DC, staff.
To assist grant seekers applying for federal funds, congressional offices can develop working
relationships with grants officers in federal and state departments and agencies. Because more
than 80% of federal funds go to state and local governments that, in turn, manage federal grants
and sub-award to applicants in their state, congressional staff need to identify their own state
administering offices.
To educate constituents, a congressional office may provide selected grant seekers information on
funding programs or may sometimes sponsor workshops on federal and private assistance.
Because most funding resources are on the Internet, Member home pages can also link to grants
sources such as the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and Grants.gov so that
constituents themselves can search for grants programs and funding opportunities. The
Congressional Research Service (CRS) web page, Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance, by
Merete F. Gerli (see sample at http://www.crs.gov/Resources/Pages/member-grant.aspx), can be
added to a Member’s home page upon request and is updated automatically on House and Senate
servers. Another CRS web page, Grants and Federal Assistance, by Merete F. Gerli, at
http://www.crs.gov/Resources/Pages/CS-Grants.aspx, covers key CRS products.
Congressional staff can use CRS reports to learn about grants work and to provide information on
government and private funding. In addition to the current report, these include CRS Report
RS21117, Ethical Considerations in Assisting Constituents With Grant Requests Before Federal
Agencies, by Jack Maskell; CRS Report RL34012, Resources for Grantseekers, by Merete F.
Gerli; and CRS Report RL32159, How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal, by Merete F.
Gerli. CRS also offers reports on block grants and the appropriations process; federal assistance
for homeland security and terrorism preparedness; and federal programs on specific subjects and
for specific groups, such as state and local governments, police and fire departments, libraries and
museums, nonprofit organizations, small business, and other topics. An internal grants manual
outlining office policies and procedures, including perhaps templates for letters of support, might
be developed to help grants staff. With reductions in federal programs, and with most government
grants requiring matching funds, grants staff should also become familiar with other funding,
such as private or corporate foundations, as alternatives or supplements to federal grants.
This report will be updated at the beginning of each Congress and as needed.

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Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Organizing Office Grants Operations .............................................................................................. 1
Managing Grants Requests ........................................................................................................ 3
Office Grants Manual ................................................................................................................ 3
File Systems and Logs ............................................................................................................... 4
Communicating with Staff ......................................................................................................... 5
Assessing Constituent Requests ....................................................................................................... 5
Providing Information to Constituents ............................................................................................ 6
Proposal Writing Assistance and Sources ........................................................................................ 8
Writing Letters for Grant Seekers .................................................................................................. 10
Announcing Grants Awards ........................................................................................................... 12
Federal Assistance and Sources ..................................................................................................... 12
Federal Grants and the Appropriations Process ....................................................................... 13
Types of Federal Assistance .................................................................................................... 14
Grants ................................................................................................................................ 14
Loans ................................................................................................................................. 15
Insurance ........................................................................................................................... 15
Goods and Properties ........................................................................................................ 15
Services, Information, Training, and Employment ........................................................... 15
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance ................................................................................. 16
Grants.gov and FedConnect .................................................................................................... 17
Developing Federal and State Grants Contacts ....................................................................... 18
Role of State Administering Agencies and Contacts ............................................................... 18
Foundations and Corporate Grants ................................................................................................ 20
Useful Sources of Grants Information ........................................................................................... 22
CRS Grants Web Pages ........................................................................................................... 22
Additional Federal Sources ..................................................................................................... 22
Other Resources ....................................................................................................................... 23

Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 23

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Introduction
Members of Congress receive numerous requests from grant seekers, including state and local
governments, nonprofit social service and community action organizations, private research
groups, small businesses, and individuals, for information and help in obtaining funds for
projects. Both government and private foundation funding may be appropriate.
Federal grants are not benefits or entitlements to individuals. Most federal grants funding goes to
state and local governments, which in turn sub-award to local entities such as nonprofit
organizations. Grants may be available for projects serving communities and needs. For example,
government assistance may be available for nonprofit organizations, including faith-based groups,
for initiatives such as establishing soup kitchens or after-school programs benefitting entire
communities; and local governments seeking funds for community services, infrastructure, and
economic revitalization may be most eligible for state and federal funds.
Congressional offices may often need to direct constituents seeking government aid to funding
options other than grants. Community fund-raising may be most suitable for school enrichment
activities such as field trips or for band or sports uniforms. Local business or private foundation
funding might be more appropriate for supporting projects such as construction of local
memorials or commemorative programs. For others, such as for starting or expanding a small
business or for students, loans may be available.
• Individuals looking for government benefits may find useful the website
GovBenefits.gov at http://www.govbenefits.gov.
• Students seeking financial aid should search the Department of Education
website at http://studentaid.ed.gov.
• To start or expand a small business, the federal government provides assistance in
the form of loans, advisory, or technical assistance. See the Small Business
Administration website at http://www.sba.gov.
To respond to constituents who have seen ads promising federal grants for personal expenses,
refer them to the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Alert Government Grant Scams at
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0113-government-grant-scams.
Given the competition for federal funds, the success rate in obtaining federal assistance is limited.
A grants staff’s effectiveness often depends on both an understanding of the grants process and on
the relations it establishes with federal departments and agencies, with state grants administering
agencies (SAAs), private and local foundations, and other contacts.
This report does not constitute a blueprint for every office involved in grants and projects activity,
nor does it present in-depth information about all aspects of staff activity in this area. The
discussion describes some basics about the grants process and some of the approaches and
techniques used by congressional offices in dealing with this type of constituent service.
Organizing Office Grants Operations
Senate and House offices allocate staff and other resources to grants work in order to assist the
constituents with projects of potential benefit to their districts, cities, or states. Each congressional
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office handles grants requests in its own way, depending upon such factors as the Member’s
philosophy on federal support for local projects, the relation of certain proposals to his or her
legislative activity, or the Member’s particular interest in specific locations or types of projects.
Other factors may include the degree of economic distress in any given locality and the current
level of federal assistance it receives.
Grants activities in any congressional office depend very much upon the overall organization,
staff, and workload of the office.
• Most offices divide responsibility by function (i.e., legislation is assigned to
legislative assistants and correspondents, media relations and newsletters are
handled by a press secretary, and caseworkers help with problems of individuals).
Offices organized in this way may have a full-time grants specialist or several
staff members under the supervision of a grants coordinator working solely in the
area of grants and projects.
• Some offices divide responsibilities by subject area; that is, a specialist in health
issues is involved with legislation, correspondence, casework, grants, projects,
speeches, and press releases in that subject area.
• DC, state, or district office? In some offices, all grants requests are handled in the
district or state office; in others, they are answered by the Washington, DC, staff;
still others divide grants and projects activity between the district or state office
and the Washington, DC, office. Regardless of how this responsibility is
assigned, it is helpful to have at least one person in the district or state office and
one person in the Washington, DC, office familiar with the whole process.
District or state staff may be more readily able to communicate and develop
relationships with federal state and federal regional offices, or state administering
agencies, often the preferred contact office for federal programs.
• State delegation cooperation. Since some constituents request the aid of the entire
state delegation for a grant or project, cooperation among Members of the
delegation can minimize duplication of effort and permit more effective use of
staff time. To increase the chances of a project’s funding, Members may solicit
the support of other Members either from the same geographic region if the
proposal would benefit a wide area, or from those who hold key positions in
leadership or on committees which exercise funding and oversight of the federal
program. Political considerations can limit the amount of such cooperation. One
state’s delegation has established a State Projects Office to help its constituents
learn about the grants process and follow through on all applications until awards
are made.
The grants person in the congressional office can serve constituents not only as a source of
information but also as a facilitator with agencies and foundations and, in some cases, even as an
advocate. The congressional office is seen by constituents as a potential source of assistance,
which includes
• providing facts about financial and nonfinancial assistance available through
federal programs;
• clarifying the intricacies of proposal development, application, and follow-up
procedures;
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• writing letters of interest or support from the Member to the granting agency
once a grant proposal is ready for submission;
• resolving problems that occur when an applicant is unsuccessful in obtaining
funds or other assistance; and
• suggesting other sources for grant assistance in both the private and public
sectors.
The congressional office should first determine the priorities of its particular office:
• assess the volume of incoming grants requests;
• determine criteria for how much attention should be given to each grants request,
for example, number of people who will be affected, visibility of projects, or
political implications;
• decide the role of the congressional office: information source or active
advocacy, or sometimes even earmarking appropriations for a project that mirrors
the Member’s legislative agenda.
Congressional grants staff can help their constituents best when they thoroughly understand the
entire grants process:
• defining the project;
• searching for likely funding sources, including federal grants administered and
sub-awarded by states;
• developing and writing proposals;
• applying for grants;
• understanding review and award procedures; and
• knowing post-award requirements.
Managing Grants Requests
To assure continuity, particularly in cases of staff turnover and shifting responsibilities, and to
monitor the progress of the grants and projects operation, several resources can be developed.
Commercial computer software packages are available to manage correspondence, projects, and
workload. Congressional office systems administrators should contact House Information
Resources (ext. 56002) or the Senate Sergeant at Arms’ Help Desk (ext. 41517) for
recommendations.
Office Grants Manual
An internal grants manual is a valuable tool for grants staff to develop. It can outline office
policies and procedures and ensure continuity when staff changes. Among the items that might be
included in such a manual are
• a statement of the Member’s policy on letters of endorsement and press
announcements, along with samples;
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• a checklist of procedures to facilitate the training of new staff;
• sample project worksheets, allowing space for agency contacts, status reports,
and follow-up timetables; and
• a constantly updated telephone and email listing of contacts in federal, state, and
local agencies, and foundations that have proven especially helpful.
File Systems and Logs
Whether electronic or paper, a congressional office may wish to maintain detailed, cross-
referenced files such as agency files, constituent files by county, and tracking records.
Agency Files
• Agency files, which could also be arranged under broad subjects, or use subject
subdivisions: for example, Defense Department, district contracts; Education
Department, curriculum development; Justice Department, Community Oriented
Policing (COPS) program.
• Program files, which include detailed information on the most frequently used
programs in communities in the state or district, with a fact sheet describing each
program, plus agency brochures, and contacts.
• Project files, which may contain lists of applicants for each project. Some offices
keep records on the steps taken in support of all grant applications as
documentation.
Constituent Files by County
• These can prove especially useful for the Member’s visits to the state or district.
• Correspondence on each grant application, and local press coverage of awards
can be added.
• These clippings, along with letters from grateful constituents, can serve as a
source for favorable quotations.
Tracking Requests
• Monitor grant applications as they move through an agency’s review process—
develop contacts in agency congressional liaison offices or state or regional
administering agencies.
• Maintain a follow-up calendar or log.
• Track all grants awarded in the district or state—even those your office did not
work on.
• For sources that track federal funds by state, by county, and by congressional
district, see the CRS web page, Tracking the Distribution of Federal Funds, by
Merete F. Gerli, at http://www.crs.gov/Resources/pages/
FederalFundsTracking.aspx. Contact the CRS author for search strategies and
best sources.
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Communicating with Staff
A weekly grants and projects report or letter is one way to keep both the Member and other staff
fully informed of significant developments. This is particularly important for offices organized by
functional responsibility.
• The report prepares the Member for the types of questions that may be asked
during visits to the state or district and provides topics to be addressed in
speeches.
• The legislative staff may benefit from knowing about pending state or local
government actions that would have an impact on grants and projects.
Conversely, grants and projects staff should also be able to rely on the legislative
staff for information about pending bills that would alter or create federal
programs or change relevant funding levels. Sometimes, comments from
constituents can supply data on whether programs are carrying out legislative
intent and whether changes in agency regulations or legislation are needed. Such
recommendations might then be the subject of congressional oversight hearings
or might result in recommending changes in legislation.
• The press secretary should also be kept up to date on programs of interest in the
district, so that current information can be presented in newsletters and press
releases.
Assessing Constituent Requests
If a proposal or serious inquiry is submitted to a congressional office, an assessment of the stated
problem should be made. First, this benefits the grant seeker, since any application for assistance
will require that the problem be clearly stated and that the proposed solution provide some
remedy. Secondly, this initial assessment can provide staff with a sense of direction: Are there
other projects currently underway that address the problem? Is there already an appropriate
federal or state program that is designed for such a project, or is the issue better addressed
through local, state, or private organizations, or through legislation? Will the sought-after aid
produce other problems for the community? What are its chances for success?
The initial review of the request should also involve an assessment of the applicant. A formal
grant proposal will require an applicant to establish credibility. Individuals connected with a
proposal might mention education, training, and professional credentials. Credibility for an
organization may be established by giving its history, goals, activities, and primary
accomplishments, as well as by letters of support, including by local governments. By reviewing
such information, an office may avoid the hazard of offering support for a questionable applicant
and may be in a better position to make decisions about support when several communities or
organizations are applying for the same program—will all be treated equally or will support be
given to selected applicants?
A written request from a constituent should always be acknowledged. If the request is a fairly
common one, the office may be able to respond with a prepared packet of materials on available
programs.
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For large grants-in-aid projects, the congressional office may wish to contact the federal or state
agency congressional liaison and ask to speak to a grants specialist for a particular program or
funding need. This procedure is generally more time consuming for a congressional staffer than a
simple referral, but it is often more informative. The agency may provide facts about budget
levels, authorizations and appropriations, the amount of money available for the program, the
total amount requested in applications on file, the number of applications received, and the
number likely to be approved, agency priorities, categories of competition or targets by region,
key dates and deadlines, and information on who makes recommendations and decisions.
If your constituent decides to submit a formal grant application for a particular program, the
congressional office may recommend or arrange a meeting with agency offices in the district or
state. Another way to get input from the agency early in the process is a pre-review of the
application. Some agencies provide procedural review of proposals one or two months before the
application deadline. Such a review, while not dealing with the substance of the proposal, allows
an agency to inform the applicant of any technical problems or omissions to be corrected before
the proposal is formally submitted.
When a constituent notifies the congressional office that a proposal has been submitted, the office
can send a letter to the agency expressing the Member’s interest in being kept informed of
developments relating to the application. In addition, the letter may also request a list of all
applicants for the particular grant from the Member’s state or district. This enables the office to
consider initiating letters of support from the Member to those applicants in his or her state or
district who did not approach the office prior to submission of their application. Whether the
Member chooses to support an applicant or extends support to all applicants from the state or
district, the office should maintain contact with all interested parties as it is notified of progress
reports from agency contacts.
Providing Information to Constituents
Cutbacks in federal programs mean many projects are made possible only through a combination
of funding sources—federal and state government grants as well as private or corporate
foundation grants should be considered. Grant seekers should know that most federal funding
goes to states in the form of formula or block grants. For many programs, application for federal
funds must be made through state administering agencies (SAAs). Whatever the funding source,
it is important to emphasize that once a project has been clearly defined, constituents can improve
their likelihood of success by doing preliminary research to find potential funding sources whose
goals are most nearly consistent with their own.
Because the state, local, or private groups needing assistance may be unaware of available
funding, or uncertain how to go about obtaining it, congressional offices can help identify
sources. Congressional grants staff can also serve as liaison between grant seekers and
government executive offices, including their own state offices that administer federal grants.
To assist Members in their representational duties, and to help congressional offices respond to
grants questions, CRS has developed two Grants web pages:
• For congressional staff, the Grants and Federal Assistance web page, by Merete
F. Gerli, focuses on key CRS products, available at http://www.crs.gov/
Resources/Pages/CS-Grants.aspx. It includes CRS publications on grants and
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programs that congressional offices can forward to their constituents and a
separate web page of key sources (see next bullet) that Members may add to their
home page for constituents.
• For grant seekers in districts and states, Members may add to their website the
CRS Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance web page, by Merete F. Gerli (see
sample at http://www.crs.gov/Resources/Pages/member-grant.aspx) to provide
useful information directly to constituents. It gives guidance and links to key
Internet sources covering information readily available to the public. CRS
automatically updates the web page for Members on the House and Senate
servers.
CRS also has a number of publications to help both congressional staff and grant seekers. Sources
described cover key Internet sources and publications about federal and private funding.
Constituents may search Internet sites from home computers or in local libraries and can consult
many of the published sources at public or university libraries or in government depository
libraries in every state. Key useful CRS reports (in addition to the current report) to assist staff
undertaking grants work include
• CRS Report RS21117, Ethical Considerations in Assisting Constituents With
Grant Requests Before Federal Agencies, by Jack Maskell;
• CRS Report RL34012, Resources for Grantseekers, by Merete F. Gerli; and
• CRS Report RL32159, How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal, by Merete
F. Gerli.
Some congressional offices may wish to help grant seekers by forwarding to them descriptions
and contact information on federal grants programs for particular projects. The Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is available full text on the Internet. The site http://www.cfda.gov
offers keyword searching, broad subject and recipient indexes, and listings by department,
agency, and program title. The CFDA program descriptions also link to related websites, such as
federal department and agency home pages and Office of Management and Budget grants
management circulars. Grant seekers themselves can then track notices of actual federal funding
opportunities under CFDA programs at websites such as Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov and
FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net.
Congressional offices can also prepare their own information packets on federal grants programs,
which are requested most frequently. Such packets could include program descriptions,
brochures, the latest rules and regulations, changes in agency policy, application forms, and so on.
For example, Members of rural states can become familiar with Department of Agriculture Rural
Development programs; Members with urban constituencies and projects may want to consider
Department of Housing and Urban Development programs.
Newsletters (print or e-mail) or Member web page news releases are a good way of reaching a
large number of people. Some offices choose to either send out a special grants and projects
newsletter or include a section on grants and projects in their regular newsletter. Subjects that
could be developed include new programs, new appropriations, and descriptions of recently
awarded grants.
A congressional office may occasionally choose to communicate with selected audiences through
targeted mailings to inform constituents of the possible impact of new legislative or executive
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actions that might revise existing programs, create new ones, or alter funding levels; important
dates and deadlines; and the advantages and limitations of various programs. This is especially
important as new programs are created and receive congressional appropriations: for example, a
newly funded economic development program may be announced on Grants.gov with a short
application deadline, of which constituents should be made aware.
Another way to get information to interested constituents is for a congressional office to
coordinate seminars on federal and private assistance at state and district locations. An office can
sponsor programs bringing together federal, state, and local officials, as well as foundation,
academic, and corporate specialists, experienced volunteers, and constituents who share common
concerns. Many agencies, foundations or the Foundation Center at http://www.fdncenter.org, and
corporations are willing to provide speakers for district seminars arranged by congressional
offices and also to provide materials such as brochures, sample proposals, and lists of information
contacts. For telephone numbers to contact speakers from federal departments and agencies,
congressional staff can use the CRS Congressional Liaison Offices of Selected Federal Agencies,
http://www.crs.gov/Resources/pages/liaisonoffices.aspx, or use their own state contacts for
government speakers. For constituent orientation and group seminars, Members may consider use
of CRS products as handouts and presentation materials.
Although well-planned, balanced programs tailored to a particular audience can create good will,
coordinating and following through on such seminars takes a great deal of staff work and time.
Such programs may also result in additional requests and demands on the sponsoring office.
Proposal Writing Assistance and Sources
Although congressional staff do not write grant proposals, they are frequently approached by
inexperienced constituents seeking guidance on what makes a good proposal. Offices aiding such
constituents may find helpful CRS Report RL32159, How to Develop and Write a Grant
Proposal, by Merete F. Gerli, which discusses preliminary information gathering and preparation,
developing ideas for the proposal, gathering community support, identifying funding resources,
and seeking preliminary review of the proposal and support of relevant administrative officials. It
also covers all aspects of writing the proposal, from outlining of project goals, stating the purpose
and objectives of the proposal, explaining the program methods to solve the stated problem, and
how the results of the project will be evaluated, to long-term project planning, and developing the
proposal budget. The last section of the report lists free grants writing websites.
The Foundation Center and other organizations also publish guides to writing proposals; the
Foundation Center offers a “Proposal Writing Short Course” on its website at
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/ and includes versions in Spanish,
French, and other foreign languages. Constituents may also be advised that computer software
templates can be found by searching the Internet under terms such as grant proposal AND
template.
Congressional offices may wish to pass on the following suggestions:
• Allow sufficient time to prepare a thoroughly documented proposal, well before
the application deadline. If possible, have someone outside the organization
critique the proposal prior to submission.
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• Follow the instructions given in the application form or in other material
provided by the agency or foundation. Answer questions as asked.
• See that the proposal is clear and brief. Avoid jargon. Take pains to make the
proposal interesting. Reviewing panels have limited time to devote to any single
proposal. Whenever possible, fit the style of the proposal to the style of the
agency or foundation being approached.
• When no form or instructions for submitting grant proposals are provided, the
proposal should include the following:
1. a cover letter on the applicant’s letterhead giving a brief description of the
purpose and amount of the grant proposal, conveying the applicant’s willingness
to discuss the proposal in further detail;
2. a half-page summary that includes identification of the applicant, the reasons for
the request, proposed objectives and means to accomplish them, along with the
total cost of the project, an indication of funds already obtained, and the amount
being requested for this grant;
3. an introduction in which the history, credentials, and accomplishments of the
applicant are presented briefly (supporting documents can be included in an
appendix);
4. a description of current conditions demonstrating the need for the proposed
project;
5. a statement of the project’s objectives in specific, measurable terms;
6. a description of the methods to be used to accomplish these objectives;
7. a description of the means by which the project will be monitored and evaluated;
8. a discussion of plans for continuing the project beyond the period covered by the
grant; and
9. a detailed budget.
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Writing Letters for Grant Seekers
Constituents seeking funds for projects frequently ask congressional offices to write letters to
federal departments and agencies on their behalf. CRS Report RS21117, Ethical Considerations
in Assisting Constituents With Grant Requests Before Federal Agencies, by Jack Maskell,
provides some guidance. Some grants, such as for firefighters and other funding for homeland
security, are determined by formula to states and jurisdictions and letters may not be needed.
Explain to constituents that the federal grants process is competitive and that your office can
consider writing a letter to the department or agency once they submit a fully developed grant
proposal. For most requests, use neutral language expressing the Member’s “interest” in a
proposal, rather than “support.” Lending “support” to a proposal that might not be funded under
the competitive process (and when there are competing applications from several constituents)
might lead to disappointment and reflect negatively on the Member.
For most constituent requests, write a letter only when the grantseeker is ready to submit the grant
proposal to the department or agency. Check with the department or agency congressional liaison
to learn where letters should be sent.
• Information needed from the grant seeker:
• name of applicant; contact person for the project if different
• grant program name and number
• agency contact address, grants officer’s name if available
• deadline for proposal submission
• project name and summary
• The project summary should highlight:
• what the project/program does and how many people will benefit
• why this program is important to the community
• any unique features of the project, needs not already being met
• other support for the project such as local government
• specifically how the grant money will be used
• Write directly to the person in the department of agency; provide a copy of the
letter to the constituent to submit with the proposal.
• The Member’s letter could say why this is important to his or her district, what
needs are being met, etc.—the summary supplied by the constituent should give
the objectives of the proposal/project.
• Close by asking the grants officer to let the Member know when a decision will
be made and to keep your office informed about the progress of the proposal.
A sample letter of support, written on the Member’s letterhead, might read as follows:
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Ms. Ronda Mason, Acting Administrator
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
810 Seventh Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20531

Dear Ms. Mason,

I am writing to express my support for the Local Youth Mentoring Initiative grant application submitted by a coalition
of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) affiliates from across the state to expand their mentoring programs for at-risk
youth.
The three coalition member groups have been working with families in our state for more than 40 years. Each of the
affiliates currently serves between 350 and 500 children, matching each young person with a professionally supported
mentor. Since 2000, the state’s BBS agencies have expanded their program offerings. With the support of grants from
the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, they now serve the children of prisoners and
children in after-school and in-school sites.
This funding will allow the coalition to offer mentoring programs to 500 more at-risk youth in the state, including
those in foster care. Each agency already has more than 100 children currently on waiting lists and all are ready to
expand their programs as soon as new resources become available.
I am proud to support programs to improve the criminal justice system, assist victims of crime, and support youth
mentoring. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention studies have documented that mentoring leads to
significant reductions in illegal drug and alcohol use, truancy and aggressive behavior, as well as improvements in
confidence and school performance. In the midst of this economic recession the good work of organizations like Big
Brothers Big Sisters is critical to maintaining the strength of families and communities.
I fully support the BBS coalition’s application and urge your serious consideration of this worthy project. If you have
any questions, please contact my Grants Coordinator, Natalie Keegan, at (202) 555-1212.

Sincerely,

Mike Firestone
United States Member of Congress


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Announcing Grants Awards
Although there is some variation, the usual announcement procedure in cases of allocated federal
funds is for the agency making the award to notify the Senate office first (a Senator of the
President’s party may be first notified), then the House office, and finally the recipient. This
allows Members of Congress an opportunity to notify recipients of grants. Not all awards are
announced publicly. In the case of block grants, the Office of Management and Budget notifies
Senate offices of the allocations among the states. The state’s decision on how to distribute funds
among local communities is, however, not necessarily communicated to congressional offices. In
these cases, a good state agency contact may be willing to provide the office with this
information. Announcements of grants awarded are often posted on Member websites.
Many congressional offices develop files or databases of grants awarded to track funding to their
districts and states. Detailed information is difficult to obtain. P.L. 109-282, the Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, called for the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) to develop a database, which became USAspending.gov. For a summary of sources and
limitations of currently available data, and the new law’s requirements, see CRS web page,
Tracking the Distribution of Federal Funds, by Merete F. Gerli, at http://www.crs.gov/Resources/
pages/FederalFundsTracking.aspx. Contact the CRS author for search strategies and best sources.
To avoid disappointment, congressional staff might consider cautioning grant seekers from
making requests that are unlikely to be approved at the federal level. Suggest considering other
funding sources early in the process. In cases where grant applications are made and turned down,
the congressional office may notify constituents of their right to know why the award was not
granted and what the appeals process is. Constituents may ask the agency for an analysis of the
strengths and weaknesses of the proposal or may give the agency permission to provide the
congressional office with this information. Alternative programs or other approaches may be
suggested following an adverse decision. The constituent might also decide to improve the initial
application and start the process again.
Federal Assistance and Sources
Hundreds of grants or loans for various purposes are available from federal departments and
agencies. Most federal funding (more than 80%) goes to state and local governments that
determine state and local needs, and that themselves offer competitive grants and funding
opportunities. New programs and federal funding to enhance homeland security or enhance
emergency services are of particular interest to many local jurisdictions. Other federal funds not
dispensed through grants, but much sought after, are used for defense procurement, construction
of federal installations, or infrastructure (e.g., military bases, federal office buildings, and federal
projects such as flood control and highway construction). Congressional offices can assist state
and local governments, non-profit organizations, and other grant seekers become aware of
available funds and how to go about obtaining them.
Staff members can contact federal agencies to find agency interest in certain projects; relay the
findings to those interested and qualified for assistance in their states and districts; and notify
home state governments, organizations, businesses, and people of what funds are available.
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Once a grant application is filed, offices frequently keep in touch with agencies. Contact can be
maintained by e-mail, phone, letter, or in person as the situation dictates. Concerted action on the
part of the staff may result in more federal funds being spent in a state or district, thereby
providing greater benefit to the constituency.
Federal program and contact information is given in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA), at http://www.cfda.gov. Current notices of grant opportunities for grant seekers
themselves appear on the websites Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov and FedConnect at
https://www.fedconnect.net. See sections below for more information about these key sources.
Federal Grants and the Appropriations Process
Congress may also designate or “earmark” federal funds for projects in districts and states in
annual appropriations legislation, though Appropriations Committees in recent years have chosen
to limit the practice. Because much of the annual U.S. budget consists of expenditures for
entitlement programs such as Social Security, mandatory spending through authorizing legislation
and interest payments, or allocations in the form of formula and block grants to states and local
governments, discretionary funding for new grant awards is limited. The appropriations measure
that a congressional office chooses to submit often reflects the Member’s legislative agenda as
well as the needs of the state or district.
Grant seekers who wish to ask support of their Senator or Representative for project funding
should consider the congressional budget process calendar. Appropriations measures for the next
fiscal year (October 1-September 30) are usually submitted as early as February.
If congressionally directed spending seems appropriate, applicants may be asked by the Member
to make a formal request accompanied by supporting materials, including
• project description;
• research and documentation of the need for the project (such as a feasibility study
and history of community support);
• letters of support from elected officials and local community leaders; and
• amount requested, anticipated total project cost, sources of other funding (state,
private, local match), and any history of past funding.
Grant seekers may contact both Representatives and Senators about their project. Although an
“earmark” may appear in either a House or Senate committee report, a conference committee
(composed of an equal number of House and Senate Members) makes the final decisions on
funding. Having support of both Representatives and Senators for a project may enhance a grant
seeker’s success for an “earmark.”
The congressional appropriations process follows an annual time line, beginning in February of
each year. Grant seekers such as state and local governments or nonprofit organizations can
submit requests for project support and funding to Representatives and Senators before the
beginning of the budget cycle.
• February: The President submits to Congress the proposed Budget of the United
States.
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• Members submit requests for discretionary funding on behalf of projects in their
districts or states prior to the start of appropriations hearings in early March.
• Early March: The House Appropriations Committee’s 12 subcommittees begin
hearings on proposed spending bills.
• May-August: The House votes on appropriations bills beginning in May and tries
to finish before the end of the fiscal year, September 30. The Senate generally
follows the House in considering appropriations measures. In recent years, voting
has continued into the fall, and continuing resolutions are passed to ensure that
federal offices and programs do not close down.
• After each chamber votes on its version of an appropriations bill, a conference
committee, consisting of equal numbers of House and Senate Members, meets to
reconcile any differences and makes final decisions on spending.
• Funding for district and state projects included in both House and Senate
appropriations bills will generally be approved by the conferees, and submitted
for floor vote by the full House and Senate.
• After approval, appropriations bills are forwarded to the President for signature.
• Members notify grant seekers of projects successfully funded.
Types of Federal Assistance
Currently, programs in the CFDA, the key source to federal program information (see “Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance,” below), are classified into several types of financial and
nonfinancial assistance. For a fuller explanation of these categories, see the CFDA program
descriptions themselves.
Grants
Grants are generally considered desirable by applicants because they are an outright award of
funds.
• Formula Grants: allocations of money to states or their subdivisions for activities
of a continuing nature not confined to a specific project. Includes block grants to
states and local governments.
• Project Grants: funding, for fixed or known periods, of specific projects or the
delivery of specific services or products, including fellowships, scholarships,
research grants, training grants, traineeships, experimental and demonstration
grants, evaluation grants, planning grants, technical assistance grants, survey
grants, construction grants, and unsolicited contractual agreements. Can also be
referred to as discretionary or categorical grants or funding.
• Direct Payments for Specified Use: federal financial assistance provided directly
to individuals, private firms, and other private institutions to encourage or
subsidize a particular activity.
• Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use: federal financial assistance provided
directly to beneficiaries who satisfy federal eligibility requirements with no
restrictions as to how the money is spent.
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Loans
Because loans must be repaid, they are often viewed by applicants as less desirable than grants.
However, with the reduction of federal funds available for grants and the increasing level of
competition for such funds, loans are often the only form of assistance available.
• Direct Loans: lending of federal funds for a specific period of time, with a
reasonable expectation of repayment; may or may not require the payment of
interest.
• Guaranteed/Insured Loans: programs in which the federal government makes an
arrangement to indemnify a lender against part or all of any defaults by those
responsible for repayment of loans.
Insurance
Some federal programs provide financial assistance to assure reimbursement for losses sustained
under specified conditions. Coverage may be provided directly by the federal government or
through private carriers and may or may not require the payment of premiums.
Goods and Properties
The federal government has programs both for the sale, exchange, or donation of property and for
temporary use or loan of goods and property.
• Sale, Exchange, or Donation of Property and Goods: programs that provide for
the sale, exchange, or donation of federal real property, personal property,
commodities, and other goods including land, buildings, equipment, food, and
drugs.
• Use of Property, Facilities, and Equipment: programs that provide for the loan of,
use of, or access to federal facilities or property wherein the federally owned
facilities or property do not remain in the possession of the recipient of the
assistance.
Services, Information, Training, and Employment
The federal government offers a variety of programs to assist communities and citizens.
• Provision of Specialized Services: programs that provide federal personnel to
directly perform certain tasks for the benefit of communities or individuals.
• Advisory Services and Counseling: programs that provide federal specialists to
consult, advise, or counsel communities or individuals, to include conferences,
workshops, or personal contacts.
• Dissemination of Technical Information: programs that provide for the
publication and distribution of information or data of a specialized technical
nature frequently through clearinghouses or libraries.
• Training: programs that provide instructional activities conducted directly by a
federal agency for individuals not employed by the federal government.
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• Investigation of Complaints: federal administrative agency activities that are
initiated in response to requests, either formal or informal, to examine or
investigate claims of violations of federal statutes, policy, or procedure.
• Federal Employment: programs that reflect the government-wide responsibilities
of the Office of Personnel Management in the recruitment and hiring of federal
civilian agency personnel.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The key source of information about federal programs, projects, services, and activities that
provide assistance or benefits to the public is the CFDA. The Catalog, produced by the General
Services Administration (GSA) and searchable for free on the Internet at http://www.cfda.gov,
describes some 2,280 authorized financial and nonfinancial assistance programs of federal
departments and agencies.
About 1,800 CFDA programs are grants. CFDA program descriptions include the following:
• federal agency administering a program
• legislation authorizing the program
• objectives and goals of program
• types of financial or nonfinancial assistance provided
• uses and restrictions
• eligibility requirements
• application and award process
• criteria for selecting proposals
• amount of obligations for the past, current, and estimates for future fiscal years
• funding caps and range of awards
• regulations, guidelines, and literature relevant to a program
• information contacts and headquarters, regional, and local offices
• related programs
• examples of funded projects
• formula and matching requirements, where applicable
• requirements for post-assistance reports
Updated information on federal programs also appears in the daily Federal Register,
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=FR. Federal departments and
agencies may also provide information and guidelines for specific programs on their websites.
These websites may also provide a list of grantees from the previous fiscal year and indicate the
amount of money still available for the coming year.
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Congressional staff may suggest that constituents seeking federal funding search CFDA
themselves by subject, keyword, beneficiary, and other options for identifying appropriate
program information.
Some congressional offices may wish to forward to constituents a preliminary CFDA search of
potential federal funding. Descriptions of programs identified will have to be carefully analyzed
by grant seekers themselves to see whether they may be appropriate. Early in the process, the
grant seeker should contact the department or agency indicated in the CFDA program description
for latest information on funding availability, program requirements, and deadlines. Often a
referral to a local or state office will be given. Many may be project or formula (block) grants to
states that in turn accept grants applications and determine award recipients.
Grants.gov and FedConnect
More than 80% of federal grant funding is allocated to states to administer, or directly to local
governments, and funding opportunities may be posted at the state level. For competitive project
grants, as part of the federal government’s e-grants initiative, federal departments and agencies
are required to post grants opportunities notices on websites, such as Grants.gov at
http://www.grants.gov and FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net. These websites post
federal funding notices, give guidelines and registration information, and provide a uniform
application procedure.
Except for familiarizing themselves with information provided on the Grants.gov site, and
sometimes posting Grants.gov funding notices on Member websites if they wish, congressional
staff generally need not search this website for funding opportunities for constituents. CRS grants
websites and reports include Grants.gov, which is free to the public, as a key source for grant
seekers themselves to access and search.
Registration by the grant seeker who will be making the application is required at Grants.gov and
FedConnect. Before applying, grant seekers must also obtain Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) and
register with the System for Awards Management (SAM). Grants.gov includes instructions and
links at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/org_step1.jsp and http://www.grants.gov/applicants/
org_step2.jsp.
For grant seekers who have identified appropriate federal funding programs (through CFDA or
department and agency websites), Grants.gov enables them to
• search for current funding opportunity notices (including by CFDA program
number);
• sign up for e-mail notification of future grant opportunities;
• download grants application packages and instructions or go to another website
to apply;
• submit applications electronically through a uniform process for all federal grant-
making agencies; and
• track the progress of their applications using unique IDs and passwords.
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Developing Federal and State Grants Contacts
Many federal agencies have a number of offices: a central office in Washington, DC; a series of
regional and state offices; and, in some cases, local or area offices. Each program in the CFDA
includes information contacts, either giving the name, address, and telephone number of the main
program officer, or referring applicants to the regional, state, or local office of the agency. Federal
Regional Agency Offices are given in CFDA at https://www.cfda.gov/?s=appendix&mode=list&
tab=list.
Congressional offices can channel their requests for program funding information and get help
identifying appropriate grants officers through federal department and agency congressional
liaison offices (see CRS Congressional Liaison Offices of Selected Federal Agencies at
http://www.crs.gov/Resources/pages/liaisonoffices.aspx for telephone numbers). Establishing a
good relationship with program grants officers is usually beneficial—they are normally well
informed and willing to share information with congressional grants and projects staff. The
liaison office may also be willing to brief congressional staff so that they may become more
familiar with the way the agency is organized and where responsibilities are assigned, as well as
with published materials that may be available on various programs.
State and district grants and projects staff usually work closely with federal agency
representatives in their areas, with their state Members of Congress, with state and local elected
officials, and with state councils of government. Many federal programs are administered directly
by state agencies or other entities within the state, and many states have programs funded out of
their own appropriations that supplement or complement federal programs. Local councils of
government, where they exist, have access to federal funds for providing technical assistance,
guidance, and counseling in the grants process. Constituents are, as a rule, best served by being
put in touch with program officers closest to them as early as possible.
Some congressional grants and projects staff report that a congressional office that encourages
cooperation among local organizations, foundations, units of government, and councils of
government can serve as a catalyst for applicants by improving communications, which may in
turn enhance the chances for proposal approval. When congressional staff take the time to express
appreciation for assistance provided by federal personnel, foundation officials, and others
involved in the grants process, they may possibly improve their chances for future assistance.
Role of State Administering Agencies and Contacts
Many federal grants such as formula and block grants are awarded directly to state governments,
which then set priorities and allocate funds within that state. To help constituents, congressional
grants staff need to identify their State Administering Agencies (SAAs), the state counterpart
offices accepting grants applications and disbursing federal formula and other grants. For more
information on how a state intends to distribute formula grant funds, grant seekers need to contact
the state administering agency.
Many federal department and agency websites provide state contacts. Often the site will have an
interactive U.S. map where grant seekers can click on their state and obtain program and funding
contact information. State government agencies provide coordination of local efforts to obtain
federal funds through grant programs that are already allocated to the state; and state government
agencies are familiar with federal program requirements, can assist with proposals, and can
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provide other guidance. In fact, many federal grant programs require that an applicant complete a
pre-application screening at the state level before submitting requests.
• Federal congressional liaison offices can help congressional staff identify SAAs
for their programs, see CRS Congressional Liaison Offices of Selected Federal
Agencies at http://www.crs.gov/Resources/pages/liaisonoffices.aspx.
• Many states require federal grants applicant to submit a copy of their application
for state government-level review and comment, and have designated a “Single
Point of Contact” under Executive Order 12372, listed by Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc. The state
offices listed here coordinate government (both federal and state) grants
development and may provide guidance to grant seekers.
• Other state government agency websites may be identified at the federal
government site USA.gov, State and Local Agencies by Topic at
http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/State_and_Territories/Agencies_by_Topic.shtml.
• Federal department and agency regional, state, and local offices which grant
seekers should contact early in their proposal development are given in the
CFDA’s list of Regional Agency Offices https://www.cfda.gov/?s=appendix&
mode=list&tab=list.
Many federal department and agency websites include SAAs and often the site will have an
interactive U.S. map. Grant seekers can click on their state and obtain program and state contact
information. A selection of some executive department websites includes the following:1
Agriculture Rural Development State Contacts
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Partners
http://www.arts.gov/partner/state/SAA_RAO_list.html
Commerce Offices and Services
http://www.commerce.gov/about-commerce/services
Education (ED) State Contacts
http://www.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html
Energy (DOE) Efficiency & Renewable Energy in My State
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grant Regional Office
http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/regional.htm
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) State Offices and Agencies
http://www.fema.gov/about/contact/statedr.shtm

1 Compiled by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) from executive department and agency websites.
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Health and Human Services (HHS), Social Services Block Grants State Officials & Program
Contacts
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/resource/ssbg-state-officials-program-contacts
Homeland Security (DHS) State Homeland Security Contacts
http://www.dhs.gov/state-homeland-security-contacts
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) State/Local Offices
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/localoffices
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) State Councils
http://www.neh.gov/whoweare/statecouncils.html
Office of Justice Programs (OJP) State Administering Agencies
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/saa/
Labor (DOL) Education and Training Administration, State and Local Contacts
http://www.doleta.gov/regions/statecontacts/
Small Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html
Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Regional Offices
http://www.fta.dot.gov/12926.html
Veterans Affairs State/Territory Offices
http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm
Foundations and Corporate Grants
With reductions in federal programs, congressional grants specialists may wish to suggest other
funding possibilities to their constituents as alternatives or supplements to federal grants. Private
foundation funding can also be used for federal grants that have matching requirements.
Small local projects should begin their search for help at the community level from local
businesses or institutions. Support may be available in the form of cash contributions or in-kind
contributions of property, buildings, equipment, or professional expertise. Evidence of such
community-based support may strengthen a federal grant proposal.
Grant making foundations are established for the express purpose of providing funds for projects
in their areas of interest, and all must comply with specific Internal Revenue Service regulations
to maintain their tax-exempt status. Every year, each is required to give away money equal to at
least 5% of the market value of its assets, and each must make its tax records public.
Although there are all kinds of foundation and corporate grants available, competition for these
funds is great, and, just as is the case in searching for federal support, grant seekers enhance their
chances for success by doing preliminary research to find grant makers whose priorities and goals
match their own. By searching foundation websites, grant seekers can find guidelines, copies of
annual reports and tax returns to learn whether their proposals match a foundation’s areas of
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interest and geographic guidelines; whether the proposal is within its budgetary constraints; and
whether it normally funds the type of project being considered.
There are many different kinds of foundations, with widely varying resources and purposes.
Some are national in scope; others are set up purely for the purpose of local giving. Some are
endowed by an individual or family to provide funds for specific social, educational, or religious
purposes; others are company-sponsored; still others are publicly supported community
foundations. Grant seekers might begin by identifying state or local foundations. These may have
a greater interest in local projects than larger foundations mainly concerned with programs of
national significance. Direct corporate giving should also be explored: many corporations support
local projects in areas where they have their headquarters or plants, or sponsor projects which
somehow enhance their corporate image.
Because of this variety, different strategies may be needed for dealing with different foundations.
A few foundations publicize their funding policies, and even initiate projects, but generally they
do not. Usually, the grant seeker must take the first step and approach the foundation about his or
her proposal. Although it is hard to generalize about foundations, they tend to be more flexible
than federal funding agencies and to have fewer bureaucratic requirements. Many foundations see
their purpose as providing short-term, startup funding for demonstration projects. Frequently,
such foundations are the best source to turn to for funding emergency situations or small, high-
risk, innovative programs. In some cases, foundation officials will work closely with
inexperienced grant seekers to help them develop realistic proposals.
The Foundation Center serves as a clearinghouse of information on private philanthropic giving
and is a good starting point for identifying likely funding sources. The center’s office in
Washington, DC, can advise staff on other sources of private funding. The Foundation Center can
be contacted via phone at (202) 331-1400. The center’s website, http://www.foundationcenter.org,
includes extensive information about private funders; posts requests for proposals (RFPs) for
funding opportunities from foundations in all subject fields; offers web and in-person training,
many of them free, including a “Proposal Writing Short Course;” and produces a number of
directories and guides to private and corporate funding sources, in print, CD-ROM, web, and
other electronic formats. The Foundation Center also posts IRS Form 990 for nonprofit
organizations at http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/990finder/.
In addition to its major reference collections in New York, Washington, DC, Cleveland, and San
Francisco, the Foundation Center maintains a national network of cooperating library collections
in each state, with print and electronic resources available free to the public. Addresses of these
library collections are provided on the Foundation Center website at http://foundationcenter.org/
collections. At these libraries, grant seekers may search the Foundation Directory Online by field
of interest, by foundation location, and other categories to produce lists of likely funding sources
for projects. For congressional staff, the Library of Congress maintains a subscription to the
Foundation Directory Online.
Other websites that provide free listings of foundations include the Council on Foundations web
page, Community Foundation Locator by state, at http://www.cof.org/community-foundation-
locator; and the Grantsmanship Center’s Funding Sources, which for each state lists “top,”
corporate, and community foundations, at http://tgci.com/funding-sources. Congressional offices
may wish to send constituents state listings from these websites.
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Useful Sources of Grants Information
CRS Grants Web Pages
Grants and Federal Assistance web page, by Merete F. Gerli
http://www.crs.gov/Resources/Pages/CS-Grants.aspx
Focuses on CRS grants web products and publications. CRS reports provide guidance to
congressional staff on federal programs and funding, and may be forwarded to constituents in
response to grants requests.
Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance web page, by Merete F. Gerli
http://www.crs.gov/Resources/Pages/member-grant.aspx
Provides Internet links to free key federal and private grants and funding information, including
the CFDA, Grants.gov, and other federal websites; and the Foundation Center, and other private
funding resources. Members may add this CRS web page to their home page so grant seekers in
districts and states can access web information directly using the Member’s home page as portal
to key grants sources.
Additional Federal Sources
For Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance and Grants.gov, see sections of this report and the
CRS websites described above.
A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies (General Services Administration)
http://www.usa.gov/directory/federal/index.shtml
To better develop a grant proposal, search a department or agency’s home page to learn more
about its programs and objectives. The site also includes the following:
• Benefits, Grants and Loans
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Benefits.shtml
• USA.gov for Nonprofits
http://www.usa.gov/Business/Nonprofit.shtml
Links to federal department and agency information and services, fundraising
and outreach, grants, loans and other assistance, laws and regulations,
management and operations, registration and licensing, and taxes.
• Businesses and Nonprofits
http://www.usa.gov/Business/Business_Gateway.shtml
Links to useful sites, including financial assistance, for small business,
government contractors, and foreign business in the United States.
Grants Management Circulars (Office of Management and Budget)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_circulars
OMB establishes government-wide grants management policies and guidelines through circulars
and common rules. OMB Circulars are cited in CFDA program descriptions. Circulars target
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grants recipients and audit requirements for educational institutions, state and local governments,
and non-profit organizations.
Other Resources
Grants and Related Resources (Michigan State University Libraries)
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/index.htm
The site provides government and private grants resources, primarily Internet, by subject or
group categories, and is updated frequently. Subpages include the following:
Funding for Business and Economic Development
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/2biz.htm
Grants for Nonprofit
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/2sgalpha.htm
Grants for Individuals (primarily financial aid and scholarships)
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3subject.htm

Author Contact Information

Merete F. Gerli

Information Research Specialist
mgerli@crs.loc.gov, 7-7109


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