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Grant Reform

On November 20, 1999, the President signed Public Law 106-107 (6 pages, 110 kb), the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act. The purposes of this law are to:

  • improve the effectiveness and performance of Federal grant programs,
  • simplify grant application and reporting requirements,
  • improve the delivery of services to the public, and
  • facilitate greater coordination among those responsible for delivering such services.

The Administration shares the goal of simplifying Federal grants management and is committed to working to make it easier for State, Tribal and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, to apply for and report progress on Federal grants.

On May 18, 2001, 26 Federal grantmaking agencies presented a plan to Congress (71 pages, 757 kb) to simplify the application and reporting procedures used in their grant programs. The plan cuts across agencies, and is designed to reduce the differences that exist between programs of similar purpose. Each year the agencies report to OMB and the Congress on progress made to implement this plan.

The agencies have worked together to provide a common electronic portal at Grants.gov for organizations to find and apply for grant programs. Grants.gov is now the Federal Government's single site for grant-making agencies and organizations to publish grant funding opportunities and application packages online. Grants.gov enables the grant community, which includes over 1 million organizations, to search for grant opportunities, and download, complete and electronically submit applications for the over $400 billion worth of awards distributed annually.

The Chief Financial Officers Council, which represents the 24 largest agencies in the government, has established a Grants Policy Committee to lead implementation of Public Law 106-107. OMB provides oversight and technical assistance, as necessary. The Committee has formed workgroups of agency staff that work to accomplish the grants streamlining required by the legislation.

To learn more about this process, please visit the Grants Policy Committee's website home page.

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Intergovernmental Review (SPOC list)  |  Grant Reform