The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) was a comprehensive resource detailing various federal assistance programs in the U.S. It encompassed a full listing of programs available to corporations, government agencies, U.S. territories, and individual citizens. However, the CFDA has evolved, and its information is now accessible through the SAM.gov website, continuing to provide essential information to help users find and apply for federal programs.
Key Insights
- The CFDA was an extensive directory of federal assistance programs, including grants, loans, and scholarships.
- In 2018, the CFDA website was retired as part of a consolidation effort, and its resources are now available via the Assistance Listings section of SAM.gov.
- Assistance provided included grants, loans, scholarships, and counseling programs available to the American public.
- Recipients of CFDA resources comprised corporations, government agencies, U.S. territories, and individual citizens.
Understanding the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
To access programs under the CFDA, entities needed authorization to conduct business with the federal government. Each program was assigned a unique five-digit number for easy reference. As part of a consolidation initiative in 2018, the CFDA’s offerings were integrated into other government systems to streamline the awards process.
Since 1984, details about these programs were compiled by the General Services Administration in the CFDA, but foreign aid was excluded. The potential stakeholders included individuals, state and local governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, companies, and nonprofit organizations (NPOs). These listings were readily available on CFDA’s formal site, complete with unique identification numbers marking each program by agency and specific initiative.
Transition to the SAM.gov Website
The catalog transitioned alongside nine other federal systems to the new SAM.gov website in May 2018. The objective was to enhance convenience for authorized entities dealing with the government. The Assistance Listings section of SAM.gov now incorporates CFDA’s functionalities and continues to provide information on various assistance programs including loans, grants, insurance, and scholarships.
As of this transition, the federal government offered 2,293 domestic assistance programs. The Department of Health and Human Services spearheaded the count with 521 programs, 22.7% of totals. Key departments also included the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Beware of scams created post this transition, where fraudsters might pose as CFDA representatives seeking fees or personal information in exchange for false grant promises.
Getting Started with SAM.gov
You can start exploring federal assistance on SAM.gov by determining whether you need to register for bidding and applying for federal awards or simply to get a Unique Entity ID without full registration. Registrants aiming to apply for federal awards or bid on government contracts must go through a formal registration which includes the assignment of a Unique Entity ID.
Here’s how you can start:
- Decide on your registration type.
- Begin the process on the SAM.gov website.
- Check the status of your registration and explore additional resources or technical support via the Federal Service Desk section.
- Renew your registration every 365 days to stay active.
Available Assistance Programs
Several key programs available through the GSA’s SAM.gov include:
- Federal Pell Grant Program (84.063): Offered by the Department of Education to support undergraduate students demonstrating financial need. Grants provided do not need to be repaid.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (93.558): Managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, aiding low-income families with children to meet basic needs.
- National Flood Insurance Program (97.022): Delivered via FEMA, provides coverage for flood-related damages for homeowners, renters, and businesses.
- Federal and State Technology Partnership Program: Administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), aimed at enhancing technological competitiveness of small business concerns in the U.S.
Why the CFDA Matter?
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) was a critical component of the government-wide focus on providing crucial assistance through various federally endorsed programs for education, income support, disaster aid, and technological innovation. Integrating this extensive resource into SAM.gov has centralized access, offered better visibility, and streamlined user engagement.
Ensuring Your Safety
While SAM.gov hosts legitimate, federally sponsored programs, remain cautious about potential scams. Reckless fraudsters might impersonate CFDA representatives claiming to offer easy access to government grants. Never share personal information or pay such individuals fees. Make all your inquiries or registrations through official channels on the SAM.gov website.
Related Terms: federal grants, government loans, scholarship programs, SAM.gov registration, government aid.
References
- National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers. “Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Transition FAQs”.
- U.S. General Services Administration. “CFDA Transition Frequently Asked Questions Overview”.
- University of Michigan. “Assistance Listing Number (Formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance)”.
- SAM.gov. “Assistance Listings”.
- GRANTS.gov. “Grant Scam & Fraud Alerts”.
- SAM.Gov. “Get Started With Registration and the Unique Entity ID”.
- U.S. Department of Education. “Federal Pell Grant Program”.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)”.
- Federal Grants Wire. “Federal and State Technology Partnership Program”.
- Grants. gov. “Don’t Get Fooled by Grant Scams”.
