For those seeking federal grant funding, Grants.gov serves as the central platform where all federal agencies post their discretionary grant opportunities and where applications are submitted. Registration is a necessary step to access and apply for grants, ensuring that individuals and organizations can efficiently manage their grant-seeking efforts. Fortunately, the process is straightforward and free of charge. Plus, Grants.gov is in the process of developing a new, more user-friendly search experience at simpler.grants.gov, making it even easier to identify funding opportunities.

Let’s walk through the registration process together!

NOTE: Before applying for federal grants at Grants.gov, System for Award Management (SAM) registration is required. If your organization is planning to apply for any type of federal grant, it is very important to complete the free SAM registration well in advance of the application deadline and make sure to renew it every year before the annual sam.gov renewal deadline. Luckily, we've put together a handy SAM registration how-to guide to make it easy.

Why Register for Grants.gov?

Grants.gov is the go-to portal for federal grant applications. Whether you’re an individual applying for funding or representing an organization, you must have an account to submit applications, track opportunities, and manage your grant-seeking journey. Without it, you’re locked out of the funding opportunities you need!

Registering for Grants.gov also allows you to:

• Stay informed – Get alerts on new grant opportunities and updates.
• Streamline the process – Submit and track applications in one place.
• Customize access – Manage multiple profiles for different organizations or roles.

So, let’s get you signed up!

How to Register for a Grants.gov Account

Follow these steps to create your Grants.gov account and get one step closer to securing funding:

Step 1: Start the Registration Process

1. Head over to Grants.gov.
2. Click Register in the top-right corner.
3. On the Register page, hit Get Registered Now.

Step 2: Enter Your Contact Information & Create Login Credentials

Fill in the required fields (marked with a red asterisk *), including:

• Email Address – All Grants.gov notifications will be sent here.
• Primary Phone Number – Required. Adding a mobile number is optional but helpful for password recovery.
• Username – Pick something memorable. It must be unique and follow specific character rules (no spaces or all numbers, and it must include at least one special character if 12 characters long).
• Password – Must be at least 8 characters and include:
  
  • One uppercase letter (A-Z)
  • One lowercase letter (a-z)
  • One number (0-9)
  • One special character (!@#$%^&*)

Step 3: Verify Your Email

1. Choose whether to subscribe to Grants.gov alerts and newsletters (we recommend it!).
2. Click Continue.
3. Click Send Temporary Code – You’ll receive a one-time code in your email.
4. Enter the code in the Temporary Code field and click Continue.

Step 4: Choose Your Profile Type

Now it’s time to set up your profile, which determines how you interact with Grants.gov.

• Applicants (People applying for grants): Select either Organization Applicant (applying on behalf of an organization) or Individual Applicant (applying as yourself).
• Grantors (Federal agency staff managing grants): Click Continue to log in, then contact your agency’s point of contact to finalize your profile.

That’s it! You’re now registered with Grants.gov and ready to find and apply for funding.

Managing Your Grants.gov Account

Once registered, you can use the My Account section to:

• Add and manage multiple profiles (if you work with different organizations).
• Update your email, password, or other account info.
• Access grant applications and track submissions.

Final Thoughts

Registering for Grants.gov is your first step toward unlocking federal funding opportunities. While the process requires a little time upfront, it’s well worth it. 

So go ahead, get registered, and start exploring the funding that could make a big difference for you or your organization!

Need help with registration? Visit Grants.gov Help & Support for additional resources.

Need help getting grant ready or writing a proposal? Talk to one of our experts, it’s free!

Join the Discussion Forum

The Grants.gov Discussion Forum is where the federal grants community, both applicants and federal grantors, may connect, support, and help one another. We encourage you to join the discussion!  Learn how.