Getting Registered for Federal Grants
If you are planning to apply for a federal grant, it is necessary to complete several registration processes. Please do not hesitate to contact Cara Stewart via email at cstewart@kcard.info or call her office at 502-514-9079 with any questions that arise. The earlier you start, the better.
All related registrations are free. We discourage the use of any third-party services that offer to complete them for a fee. Please use the links below, which are the correct (and free) registration pages.
1) Legally organize Your Business
Timeframe: 1 business day
If you have not organized your business as a legal entity, you will need to at this time.
Go to the Kentucky One Stop Business Portal.
If you organize as a sole proprietorship under the real name of the individual owner, start with Step 3.
If you choose any other structure, start with Step 1.
2) Register with SAM.gov
Timeframe: 2 to 10 business days
To register, visit SAM.gov | Home, create a user account, then proceed to register your entity.
Make sure all information entered matches your taxes and any legal documents, such as your
Secretary of State registration.
You may also need to verify who you are by attaching certain documents, such as bank statements and/or requesting a post card to verify your mailing address.
Once your address and identity have been verified, you will be assigned a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.
Next, you will receive a cage code or be able to request one, with an expiration date.
When you register a new or renew an existing entity in sam.gov, you must file a notarized letter. The template and submission instructions are located halfway down this page: GSAFSD_kb_articles - GSA Federal Service Desk Service Portal
If you do not receive a confirmation email after 1 week, call them at 866-606-8220.
3) Register with Grants.gov
Timeframe: 3 to 5 business days
If the program you are applying for requires the application to be submitted via www.grants.gov, then you need to set up an account here: Applicant Registration | GRANTS.GOV
USDA Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Grants and Community Food Projects REQUIRE a Grants.gov account.
Value-Added Producer Grants, Rural Energy Grants and Specialty Crop Block Grants DO NOT require a Grants.gov account.
4) Kentucky eClearinghouse
Timeframe: 1 to 3 business days
All federal grants must be submitted to the State of Kentucky through their website at Kentucky eClearinghouse Home. KCARD can help you with this process!