What is FederalFunding.net?
FederalFunding.net is an informational website aimed at educating local government agencies, members of the media, and the general public about the various federal resources available, including federal grants, congressional earmarks, and innovative financing options.
Why local governments?
The largest beneficiaries of non-defense related spending are public agencies, local governments, colleges and universities, hospitals, public transit providers, public water agencies, and other local bodies working in the public interest.
What is the objective of FederalFunding.net?
The objective of FederalFunding.net is to provide useful information on the federal funding process. Local entities need fair, accurate, and comprehensive information about federal funding and how to best access that funding through the current system.
What will visitors find when they explore the FederalFunding.net?
Visitors will find definitions, resources, funding histories, and other information about the federal funding process.
Who is the sponsor of FederalFunding.net?
FederalFunding.net is sponsored by The Ferguson Group, the largest federal representative of local governments in Washington, D.C. The April 24, 2008 edition of The Hill included an article entitled “Best in the Business: Hired Guns” that stated "Ferguson and his firm wrote the book on lobbying for local governments." Through their 25+ years representing local governments, The Ferguson Group knows first hand the benefits earmarks bring to communities.
Allowable Costs
Expenses that are reasonable and compliant with any limitations or exclusions set forth in applicable regulations and the funding agency’s agreement of terms and conditions. A cost is considered to be allowable if (1) it is incurred to advance the work under the sponsored agreement and (2) it benefits both the sponsored project and other work of the institution.
Appropriations Bill or Act
Legislation that specifies the amount of federal funding for every federal agency, department, and government operation.
Appropriator
A member of the House of Representatives or Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Authorization Bill or Act
Legislation (under the jurisdiction of a committee other than the House or Senate Committees on Appropriations) that defines the scope, and sometimes suggests a level of funding, for a federal program or agency.
Budget Deficit
The amount by which outlays exceed receipts in a given fiscal period.
Budget Resolution
Legislation (in a form that does not carry the weight of the law) that establishes budget totals.
Capital Support
Funds provided for endowment purposes, buildings, construction, or equipment.
Central Contractor Registry
A database of basic business information for contractors that desire to do business with the federal government. An agency that may potentially receive the award of any contract or purchase agreement, including grant funding, is required to register in the Central Contractor Registry.
CFDA Number
Five-digit numbers that are used to catalog groups of Federal grants according to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA), which is the encyclopedia of all federal funding programs.
Committee Report
Information that accompanies a bill as it moves through the legislative process that clarifies the intent of Congress.
Conference Report
Information that accompanies a final version of legislation, the purpose of which is to clarify the intent of Congress.
Continuing Resolution
Legislation to continue the funding for programs and agencies into a new fiscal year when the regular appropriations process has not been completed in time. Often times, a continuing resolution will set funding at the previous year’s level.
Cooperative Agreement
A legal agreement where a relationship is established to help award recipients financially for services provided directly to the funding agency. The difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement is that cooperative agreements involve substantial involvement on the part of the funding agency, while grants do not.
Direct Costs
Includes all items that can be categorically identified and charged to the specific project, such as personnel , fringe benefits, consultants, subcontractors, travel, equipment, supplies and materials, communications, computer time, and publication charges.
DUNS Number
A unique, nine-digit identifier for an entity that is provided by Dun and Bradstreet. It is required to register with Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and on most applications for federal awards and sub awards. All recipients and subrecipients of federal funds are required to have one (and only one) DUNS number for each legal name and each physical location under which they operate.
E-Application
Electronic grant application that can be submitted online. Most Federal grants now have e-applications.
Earmark
Language in legislation that directs federal funding for a specific project, location, or institution.
Earmark sponsor
Member of Congress that requests funding for the project or institution.
Executive Earmark
Earmark funding requested by the President of the United States.
Federal Register
The Federal Register is published online on a daily basis and includes some funding opportunity announcements, policy statements, and other notices issued by federal agencies. Located at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
Fiscal Year
The federal government's accounting period begins October 1 and ends on September 30. It is named after the year when it ends, so FY 2008 begins on October 1, 2007 and ends September 30, 2008.
Indirect Costs
Costs that cannot be identified specifically in reference to a particular project, such as building operations and maintenance, laboratory space, library service, utilities, and administrative services.
In-Kind Contributions
A contribution of equipment, supplies, or other tangible resource, as distinguished from a monetary contribution. Some organizations may donate the use of space or staff time as an in-kind contribution.
Letter of Intent
A simple one-page statement or form that may be required or requested prior to the application submission, indicating one's intention to apply for a particular program.
Letter of Support
Letters that express support and/or commitment to the project being proposed. Some programs require letters of support from community members, individuals within the applicant’s organization, and/or other stakeholders.
Mark up
A point in the legislative process where each section of the original version of the bill is considered. Members of the committee of jurisdiction can offer amendments that can then be accepted or rejected by the entire committee’s membership. This is the time of the legislative process in which the majority of earmarks are added to the Appropriations bills.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
A legal document between two parties intended to express the requirements for administering and maintaining grant funds. It is not as binding as a contract and typically complements the funding agency’s program guidelines.
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
A solicitation issued by a funding agency that identifies activities and projects to be funded, amount of funds to be available, and eligible applicants. A NOFA may be mailed directly to potentially interested parties, published in the Federal Register, or posted on the funding agency’s website.
Omnibus Bill
The package that results when a number of bills on related topics are combined into a single bill for floor action.
Principal Investigator (PI)
Most commonly specified for scientific research projects such as those funded by NSF or NIH. The person with primary responsibility for a funded project. Responsibilities include project direction, project completion, and reporting to the funding agency.
Program Officer
A staff member of the funding agency who is responsible for overall administration of the program and for monitoring the project, providing technical assistance, and ensuring that the project is carried out in accordance with the final contract or grant agreement.
