Before applying, your organization must create and maintain up-to-date registrations with Login.gov, the System for Award Management (SAM) at SAM.gov, and Grants.gov. Registering and maintaining accounts with Login.gov, SAM, and Grants.gov is always FREE. See the “How to Apply” section of these guidelines for more information.

Registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov can take several weeks. Give yourself plenty of time to get registered. Similarly, submit your application to Grants.gov well in advance of the deadline in case you encounter any difficulties.

Late, ineligible, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Exceptions to the deadline will be considered only for registration or renewal issues or technical malfunctions that are the result of failures on the part of SAM, Grants.gov, or NEA systems, as determined by the NEA. To be considered for this exception, you must provide documentation of a SAM, Grants.gov, or NEA systems failure that prevented your submission by the deadline. 

In the event of a major emergency (e.g., a hurricane or a SAM, Grants.gov, or NEA technological failure), the NEA Chair may adjust application deadlines for affected applicants. If a deadline is extended for any reason, an announcement will be posted on our website.

Please do not seek information on the status of your application before the announcement date that is listed above.

If you have questions, contact us at OT@arts.gov

 Individuals who need assistance accessing this document may contact the Office of Accessibility at Accessibility@arts.gov or call 202-682-5532, or the Office of Civil Rights at CivilRights@arts.gov or 202-682-5454..

OMB No. 3135-0112 Expires 10/31/2025
CFDA No. 45.024
May 2023