SF-424 instructions

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SF-424
This is a standard form required for use as a cover sheet for submission of pre-applications and applications and related information under discretionary
programs. Some of the items are required and some are optional at the discretion of the applicant or the federal agency (agency). Required fields on the
form are identified with an asterisk (*) and are also specified as “Required” in the instructions below. In addition to these instructions, applicants must
consult agency instructions to determine other specific requirements.
Item
1.

2.

Entry:
Type of Submission: (Required) Select one type of submission
in accordance with agency instructions.
• Pre-application
• Application
• Changed/Corrected Application – Check if this submission is to
change or correct a previously submitted application. Unless
requested by the agency, applicants may not use this form to
submit changes after the closing date.
Type of Application: (Required) Select one type of application in
accordance with agency instructions.
• New – An application that is being submitted to an agency for
the first time.
• Continuation - An extension for an additional funding/budget
period for a project with a projected completion date. This can
include renewals.
• Revision - Any change in the federal government’s financial
obligation or contingent liability from an existing obligation. If a
revision, enter the appropriate letter(s). More than one may be
selected. If "Other" is selected, please specify in text box
provided.

3.

4.

5a.
5b.

6.
7.
8.

A. Increase Award
D. Decrease Duration
B. Decrease Award
E. Other (specify)
C. Increase Duration
Date Received: Leave this field blank. This date will be assigned
by the Federal agency.

Applicant Identifier: Enter the entity identifier assigned buy the
Federal agency, if any, or the applicant’s control number if
applicable.
Federal Entity Identifier: Enter the number assigned to your
organization by the federal agency, if any.
Federal Award Identifier: For new applications leave blank. For a
continuation or revision to an existing award, enter the previously
assigned federal award identifier number. If a changed/corrected
application, enter the federal identifier in accordance with agency
instructions.
Date Received by State: Leave this field blank. This date will be
assigned by the state, if applicable.
State Application Identifier: Leave this field blank. This identifier
will be assigned by the state, if applicable.
Applicant Information: Enter the following in accordance with
agency instructions:
a. Legal Name: (Required) Enter the legal name of applicant that
will undertake the assistance activity. This is the organization that
has registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR).
Information on registering with CCR may be obtained by visiting
www.Grants.gov.
b. Employer/Taxpayer Number (EIN/TIN): (Required) Enter the
employer or taxpayer identification number (EIN or TIN) as
assigned by the Internal Revenue Service. If your organization is
not in the US, enter 44-4444444.

Item:
10.

Entry:
Name Of Federal Agency: (Required) Enter the name of the
federal agency from which assistance is being requested with this
application.

11.

Catalog Of Federal Domestic Assistance Number/Title:
Enter the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number and
title of the program under which assistance is requested, as found
in the program announcement, if applicable.
Funding Opportunity Number/Title: (Required) Enter the
Funding Opportunity Number and title of the opportunity under
which assistance is requested, as found in the program
announcement.

12.

13.

Competition Identification Number/Title: Enter the competition
identification number and title of the competition under which
assistance is requested, if applicable.

14.

Areas Affected By Project: This data element is intended for use
only by programs for which the area(s) affected are likely to be
different than the place(s) of performance reported on the SF-424
Project/Performance Site Location(s) Form. Add attachment to
enter additional areas, if needed.

15.

Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project: (Required) Enter a
brief descriptive title of the project. If appropriate, attach a map
showing project location (e.g., construction or real property
projects). For pre-applications, attach a summary description of
the project.

16.

Congressional Districts Of: 15a. (Required) Enter the
applicant’s congressional district. 15b. Enter all district(s) affected
by the program or project. Enter in the format: 2 characters state
abbreviation – 3 characters district number, e.g., CA-005 for
California 5th district, CA-012 for California 12 district, NC-103 for
North Carolina’s 103 district. If all congressional districts in a state
are affected, enter “all” for the district number, e.g., MD-all for all
congressional districts in Maryland. If nationwide, i.e. all districts
within all states are affected, enter US-all. If the program/project
is outside the US, enter 00-000. This optional data element is
intended for use only by programs for which the area(s) affected
are likely to be different than place(s) of performance reported on
the SF-424 Project/Performance Site Location(s) Form. Attach an
additional list of program/project congressional districts, if needed.
Proposed Project Start and End Dates: (Required) Enter the
proposed start date and end date of the project.

17.

18.

c. Organizational DUNS: (Required) Enter the organization’s
DUNS or DUNS+4 number received from Dun and Bradstreet.
Information on obtaining a DUNS number may be obtained by
visiting www.Grants.gov.

19.

d. Address: Enter address: Street 1 (Required); city (Required);
County/Parish, State (Required if country is US), Province,
Country (Required), 9-digit zip/postal code (Required if country
US).

20.

Estimated Funding: (Required) Enter the amount requested, or
to be contributed during the first funding/budget period by each
contributor. Value of in-kind contributions should be included on
appropriate lines, as applicable. If the action will result in a dollar
change to an existing award, indicate only the amount of the
change. For decreases, enclose the amounts in parentheses.
Is Application Subject to Review by State Under Executive
Order 12372 Process? (Required) Applicants should contact the
State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for Federal Executive Order
12372 to determine whether the application is subject to the State
intergovernmental review process. Select the appropriate box. If
“a.” is selected, enter the date the application was submitted to
the State.
Is the Applicant Delinquent on any Federal Debt?
(Required) Select the appropriate box. This question applies to
the applicant organization, not the person who signs as the
authorized representative. Categories of federal debt include; but,
may not be limited to: delinquent audit disallowances, loans and
taxes. If yes, include an explanation in an attachment.

e. Organizational Unit: Enter the name of the primary
organizational unit, department or division that will undertake the
assistance activity.

9.

f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on
matters involving this application: Enter the first and last name
(Required); prefix, middle name, suffix, title. Enter organizational
affiliation if affiliated with an organization other than that in 7.a.
Telephone number and email (Required); fax number.
Type of Applicant: (Required) Select up to three applicant type(s)
in accordance with agency instructions.
M. Nonprofit
A. State Government
N. Private Institution of
B. County Government
Higher Education
C. City or Township
O. Individual
Government
P. For-Profit Organization
D. Special District
(Other than Small
Government
Business)
E. Regional Organization
Q. Small Business
F. U.S. Territory or
R. Hispanic-serving
Possession
Institution
G. Independent School
S. Historically Black
District
Colleges and
H. Public/State Controlled
Universities (HBCUs)
Institution of Higher
T. Tribally Controlled
Education
Colleges and
I.
Indian/Native American
Universities (TCCUs)
Tribal Government
U. Alaska Native and
(Federally Recognized)
Native Hawaiian
J. Indian/Native American
Serving Institutions
Tribal Government
V. Non-US Entity
(Other than Federally
W. Other (specify)
Recognized)
K. Indian/Native American
Tribally Designated
Organization
L. Public/Indian Housing
Authority

21.

Authorized Representative: To be signed and dated by the
authorized representative of the applicant organization. Enter the
first and last name (Required); prefix, middle name, suffix. Enter
title, telephone number, email (Required); and fax number. A
copy of the governing body’s authorization for you to sign this
application as the official representative must be on file in the
applicant’s office. (Certain federal agencies may require that this
authorization be submitted as part of the application.)