Federal Contractor Readiness Guide
How to Register for Grants.gov
Register your organization and users on Grants.gov, complete SAM.gov requirements, and obtain roles needed to search and apply for federal grant opportunities.
What it is
Grants.gov is the federal portal to find and apply for grant opportunities. Organizations must register appropriate users and maintain SAM.gov registration to apply for most federal grants.
Who needs it
Nonprofits, universities, state and local governments, and businesses applying for federal grant funding announced on Grants.gov.
Prerequisites
- SAM.gov registration for organizations required to have a UEI
- Authorized organization representatives identified in Grants.gov workflow
Step-by-step process
- 1. Review Grants.gov registration overview
Read the official registration checklist for organization and individual roles before starting.
- 2. Complete or verify SAM.gov registration
Ensure your organization has an active SAM.gov record with UEI because Grants.gov applications rely on SAM data.
- 3. Create Grants.gov workspace users
Register organization applicants and authorized representatives per Grants.gov instructions, including role assignments for submitting applications.
- 4. Test application access
Confirm users can sign in, locate a opportunity workspace, and validate connectivity before a live deadline.
Information and documents you need
- UEI
- Organization EIN
- Applicant contact emails
- SAM.gov registration confirmations
Cost
Grants.gov registration is free; SAM.gov may have fees per SAM.gov fee guidance.
Typical processing time
Processing time varies; the official source does not publish a guaranteed completion timeframe.
Common mistakes
- Starting grant applications before SAM.gov is active
- Missing Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) role assignment
- Waiting until the day of deadline to register users
What happens after approval / completion
Search Grants.gov for opportunities, complete forms in Workspace, and maintain SAM and Grants.gov roles for renewals.
Official sources
- Grants.gov — Register (primary)
- SAM.gov — Entity Registration (supporting)