Learn how to obtain a DUNS number or look up your organization's UEI for federal grants. Follow our free step-by-step registration guides.
DUNS is being replaced by UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) for federal grants.
DUNS Number
9-digit from Dun & Bradstreet
UEI (NEW)
12-character ID from SAM.gov
Go to dnb.com and click "Get a D-U-N-S Number"
Choose "Nonprofit" and enter your organization details
Enter your organization name, address, and contact details
Review and confirm your organization details
Receive your free DUNS number within 30 business days
DUNS numbers are free for nonprofits
All federal agencies
NEA federal grants
NSF research grants
HHS funding programs
ED grants for education
EPA environmental grants
Rural community grants
AmeriCorps, national service
The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is the official identifier for doing business with the US federal government. As of 2022, new grants require UEI instead of DUNS.
A DUNS number is more than just a nine-digit ID; it is the key to unlocking grant opportunities with government agencies and private foundations worldwide. While the US Federal Government has transitioned to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), the DUNS number remains a critical requirement for international funding, state-level grants, and corporate philanthropy. This guide explains how to find, get, and use your identifiers to streamline your funding journey with FundRobin.
The Data Universal Numbering System, abbreviated as DUNS, is a proprietary system developed by Dun & Bradstreet. It provides a unique nine-digit identification number for each physical location of your business or nonprofit. Unlike a Tax ID (EIN), a DUNS number is used to track the financial health and reliability of an organisation, which is why grantors use it to verify the legitimacy of applicants.
In April 2022, the US Federal Government stopped using the DUNS number for entity identification and moved to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) generated by SAM.gov. If you are applying for US federal grants, you must have a UEI. However, if you are a UK-based organisation or applying for private foundation grants in the US, you will likely still need a DUNS number. FundRobin helps you manage both identifiers within your organisation profile to ensure you are ready for any application.
Federal grants are economic aids issued by the government to support public services and stimulate the economy. In the US, this encompasses everything from small business research (SBIR) to nonprofit community development. In the UK, central government grants provide critical funding for innovation and social impact. Navigating these systems requires a SAM.gov registration for the US or a 'Find a Grant' account for the UK.
You cannot receive federal grants without a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The UEI has replaced the old DUNS number system as the primary way the federal government tracks awardees. Our lookup tool above allows you to verify your existing registration status or start the process of obtaining a new ID. Without this ID, your grant applications will be rejected before they are even reviewed.
duns number
federal grants
drafts, deadlines, and team review
FundRobin brings discovery, fit scoring, proposal drafting, documents, and follow-up into one customer workflow so teams can act on funding intelligence instead of copying it between tools.
Sign up to access our full US grant database with AI-powered matching and application tools.
Start Free TrialIf your nonprofit plans to apply for federal grants, you need to understand two key identifiers: the DUNS number (Data Universal Numbering System) and the newer UEI (Unique Entity Identifier). Since April 2022, the federal government has officially replaced DUNS numbers with the UEI system through SAM.gov — but many people still search for "DUNS number" when they mean UEI.
The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned to your organisation through SAM.gov (System for Award Management). Any organisation that wants to receive federal grant funding must register in SAM.gov and obtain a UEI before applying through Grants.gov or any federal agency portal. Registration is free and must be renewed annually.
Previously, organisations obtained a 9-digit DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet before registering in SAM.gov. If your organisation already has a SAM.gov registration, your UEI was automatically assigned when the transition happened. You can find your UEI by logging into your SAM.gov account.
SAM.gov registration is the single most important step for federal grant eligibility. Here's what to expect: Go to sam.gov and click "Register Entity." You'll need your organisation's legal name, address, EIN (for US entities), and bank account details for Electronic Funds Transfer. The process takes 1–3 business days to complete and activate, though in busy periods it can take longer.
Once registered, your UEI is assigned automatically. SAM.gov registration must be renewed every 12 months — a missed renewal will make your organisation ineligible for federal awards until you renew. Set a calendar reminder well before your registration expires.
For state-administered grants that receive federal funding (known as "pass-through" grants), check with the state agency whether a UEI is required. Many states now require it even for sub-awards.
Yes. As of April 4, 2022, the federal government officially replaced the DUNS number with the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) for all grant and procurement activities. The UEI is managed through SAM.gov and is generated when you complete or update your SAM.gov entity registration. Dun & Bradstreet is no longer involved in federal grant registration. However, private funders and international organisations may still reference DUNS numbers in their own processes.
Initial registration in SAM.gov typically takes 1–3 business days for the UEI to be activated, but full registration activation (including EFT banking information) can take 7–10 business days in some cases. During peak grant seasons, processing can slow further. Plan to complete SAM.gov registration at least 2–4 weeks before a grant application deadline to avoid last-minute complications.
Yes, SAM.gov registration is completely free. Be cautious of third-party websites that offer to register on your behalf for a fee — these are unnecessary. The official site is sam.gov. Any site charging for SAM.gov registration is providing a service you can do yourself at no cost directly through the government portal.
Any organisation applying for federal grants needs a UEI, regardless of size. However, very small organisations or grassroots groups that work through a fiscal sponsor don't need their own UEI — the fiscal sponsor applies and receives funds on their behalf. If you're a small nonprofit exploring federal funding for the first time, registering early is wise even before you have a specific grant to apply for, as some grant deadlines don't allow enough time for registration to complete.
Yes. SAM.gov has a public entity search function that lets you look up registered organisations and verify their registration status and UEI. This is useful for due diligence on subgrantees, verifying a potential partner's federal eligibility, or confirming your own registration is active. Visit sam.gov/entity-lookup to search the public database.