Grant glossary

Funding has its own vocabulary — mostly acronyms. Here are the terms you'll hit most often, in plain English. For deeper reads, see our guides.

Common terms

• NOFO — Notice of Funding Opportunity. The official document announcing a grant (also called RFA, RFP, or FOA).
• SAM.gov — System for Award Management. You must be registered here to receive federal funding.
• UEI — Unique Entity Identifier. Replaced the DUNS number in 2022; required to apply for federal grants.
• Cost-share / Match — A non-federal contribution you put up alongside grant money.
• Indirect costs — Overhead not tied to one project (rent, admin), often recovered at a negotiated rate.
• Grant — Funding you don't repay, tied to a specific purpose.
• Forgivable loan — A loan that's partly or fully cancelled if you hit milestones.
• Tax credit — A dollar-for-dollar reduction in tax liability, claimed on a return.

Want the difference between these instruments? Read grants vs loans vs tax credits.