Win a federal award the agency helps run

Work through it

1. Search Grants.gov and filter funding instrument type to cooperative agreement Search Grants.gov and filter funding instrument type to cooperative agreement — same portal as grants, different relationship. Open
2. Have these ready
   • An active SAM.gov registration and UEI, exactly as for a grant
   • The program officer named in the notice — call them before you write
   • Who on your side will carry the agency’s ongoing involvement and reporting
3. Register in SAM.gov and get your UEI Exactly as for a grant: you register your entity in SAM, federal award systems key on the UEI it issues, and you renew it every year. Open
4. Call the program officer named in the notice A cooperative agreement means the agency stays involved, so the program officer is a real contact; reach them before you write, not after.

5. Reading it as a grant with extra paperwork

   Reading it as a grant with extra paperwork. A cooperative agreement means substantial federal involvement in carrying out the work — the agency collaborates and participates, so plan for a partner, not a check.

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