Who Can Apply for a Federal Grant, and How to Tell

Applicant types on a notice

17 codes, from state governments to individuals

Nonprofit status for most grants

501(c)(3), from the IRS

Businesses

Eligible when the notice says small businesses or for-profit organizations

Individuals

A small share of grants, mostly research fellowships

If you're unsure

The notice's eligibility section decides

The eligible applicant list

Every notice names who may apply from a standard list: state governments; county, city and township governments; special districts; school districts; public and private colleges and universities; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; small businesses; other for-profit organizations; individuals; and 'others', which means the notice spells it out in its own words. Our grants pages sort every open grant by these types, so the page for your type is the place to start.

'Unrestricted' means anyone the notice's text allows. 'Others (see the notice)' is common and means exactly that: open the notice and read the Eligibility Information section, because the standard codes didn't fit.

Nonprofits and 501(c)(3)

Most grants open to nonprofits require 501(c)(3) status, the IRS determination that your organization is a public charity or private foundation. Some accept other nonprofit types, and the notice says which. If your group is new and doesn't have the determination letter yet, you can often apply through a fiscal sponsor: an established 501(c)(3) that accepts the award on your behalf, holds the money and takes legal responsibility for it, usually for a fee of a few percent. The notice must allow it; many do.

Businesses

Businesses get federal grants mainly for research and development (the SBIR and STTR programs, which only small businesses can enter), for energy, agriculture and rural development projects, and as sub-recipients of state and local programs. A notice open to 'small businesses' uses the SBA size standard for the work; one open to 'for-profit organizations other than small businesses' is open to any company. Businesses are not eligible for the many grants that name only governments, nonprofits and universities, and no amount of good writing changes that.

Governments and tribes

States, counties, cities, towns, school districts and special districts (water, fire, transit) each have their own code, and a notice may name some but not others. Federally recognized tribal governments have their own code too, and many programs set money aside for them or give them preference. Tribal organizations that are not governments, such as tribal colleges and nonprofits, are a separate type.

Individuals

A few programs fund people directly: research fellowships, arts fellowships, some agricultural and disaster programs. They are a small share of Grants.gov, and the federal government does not give personal grants for bills, starting a business or buying a home; anyone promising that is selling something. Individuals apply with a Grants.gov account alone and do not register in SAM.gov.

Read the eligibility section before anything else

The codes on the notice are a summary. The notice's own Eligibility Information section is the rule, and it often adds conditions: a service area, a minimum size, a required partner, a prior award, a match. Check it first; it takes five minutes and saves weeks of writing an application that can't be funded.

Sources

Grants.gov, eligible applicant categories
IRS, exemption requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations
SBA, SBIR/STTR eligibility

Checked October 2026. Thresholds and rules change; each source above is the official page.