Are government grants hard to get?
Jackson Reed
Updated on January 18, 2026
Government grant programs as well as grants sponsored by individuals, companies and large corporations exist as grant funders. Grant money does exist, but it is increasingly hard to find it and typically has a complicated application process to earn the grant money.
Are Free government grants real?
Free Money from the Government The federal government does not offer grants or “free money” to individuals to start a business or cover personal expenses, contrary to what you might see online or in the media. Websites or other publications claiming to offer “free money from the government” are often scams.
Is there a such thing as a government grant?
Quick Facts about the Government Grant Process Government grant applications and information about them are free. There are no fees associated with applying for a government grant. ALL government grants involve an application process to carry out projects with a public purpose and are not intended for personal use.
Do you have to pay back a grant from the government?
The pros of a government grant include that it’s non-repayable – you don’t have to return the money, or pay interest on it. – Grants often come with conditions which state how you’re allowed to spend or allocate the money – so be aware that it might not be as simple as just receiving a lump sum.
What happens if you get a government grant?
Getting a government grantwill get you a lot of obligations and not fulfilling them will grant you a lot of legal troubles. In fact, the tantalizing but false lure of “free” money from the government has spawned some potentially disastrous government grant scams. Few Grants for Individuals
Can you apply for a grant over the phone?
Every grant from the federal government involves an application submitted through a government website, such as Grants.gov. Also, you cannot apply for federal grants over the phone or via email. Any individual claiming that a grant does not require an application, or requires only a phone call or an email, is attempting to scam you.
How to report a grant fraud hotline?
You can also report grant-related scam attempts to the Health and Human Services (HHS) Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477.
How much does it cost to get a government grant?
Victims are told they have been selected to receive a government grant ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. In order to receive the grant money, the representative explains a “processing fee” ranging between $150 and $700 must be paid and asks individuals for bank account information.