The Indianapolis Recorder has always been a trusted voice for our community.
This column shares important news about federal money that many people don’t hear about. The more we know, the more we can bring back home.
July was quiet. There were 205 new federal grants last month, about the same as usual. We thought there would be more, maybe 400. That means fewer chances to get money, and it will be harder to win grants in the coming months.
In the first week of August, 35 new grants were announced. Together, they add up to about half a billion dollars. Eighteen government agencies are sharing that money. But most of it — nearly $400 million — is going to just one place: the Department of Homeland Security. They have 14 grants for safety and security projects.
That leaves about $100 million, and a majority is going to these four agencies:
National Science Foundation — $30 million (2 grants, anyone can apply)
- One grant pays for labs that run experiments using AI. These labs can be used by scientists or students anywhere, especially right here in Indianapolis.
- The other grant helps build computer systems to share research data across fields like medicine, farming and climate science.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture — $10 million (1 grant, anyone can apply)
- Supports small businesses and researchers to turn ideas into products.
- Focus areas include better potato crops, food safety, clean energy and rural community projects.
Environmental Protection Agency — $9.5 million (1 grant, for medium and large public water systems)
- Helps water systems serving 10,000 or more people protect drinking water from disasters and cyberattacks.
Employment and Training Administration — $8 million (1 grant, for state workforce agencies)
- Helps train workers in AI and manufacturing. Employers get paid back if workers finish training and keep their jobs for 6 months.
Looking at all this, the big money is going to defense, science, and high-tech jobs. What’s missing is strong funding for local schools, health programs, youth groups, and neighborhoods.
That doesn’t mean those grants won’t come. But right now, if you run a community program, you can’t wait for the perfect grant. You might need to change how you describe your work or who you work with.
Here’s the truth: federal money requires specific language. For example, an after-school robotics club might need to be called “workforce training in engineering” to get a science grant.
It’s the same work, but the words need to match. So what do we do?
We get ready.
- Build partnerships now.
- Track your results by recording who you help and how.
- Use words that match what the grant agency wants.
This doesn’t mean changing your goals. It means telling your story in a way that helps others understand and support it.
Yes, this is work. But so is not getting the money you need.
If you want a simple two-page Google Doc summary for any of these grants, with tips on how to apply and what to include, visit our partners at grantscore.com. If you’d like a list of the top 50 words used by a specific agency, email hello@grantscore.com.
