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!