Request for Application (RFA)
A Request for Application (RFA) is a formal solicitation issued by a government agency inviting organizations to apply for grant funding. RFAs are primarily used for grants and cooperative agreements rather than for purchasing goods or services.
What Is a Request for Application?
A Request for Application (RFA) is a formal solicitation issued by a government agency inviting organizations to apply for grant funding. RFAs are primarily used for grants and cooperative agreements rather than for purchasing goods or services.
An RFA outlines eligibility requirements, funding priorities, evaluation criteria, and application instructions.
Key Characteristics
Used primarily for grants and cooperative agreements, not procurement contracts
Defines specific program goals or funding priorities
Includes detailed eligibility requirements for applicants
Provides structured application instructions and deadlines
Establishes scoring and evaluation criteria for award decisions
How It Works in Government Contracting
Where It Appears in the Procurement Lifecycle: RFAs are used during the funding and award phase of federal and state grant programs. They are distinct from standard procurement contracts and fall outside the traditional FAR-governed procurement lifecycle, operating instead under federal grant and financial assistance regulations.
Who Uses It: Government agencies issue RFAs to fund public purpose initiatives. Nonprofits, universities, research institutions, state and local governments, and sometimes for-profit entities respond by submitting project narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation for evaluation.
Why It Matters: RFAs allow agencies to advance public policy objectives — such as research, education, health, and infrastructure development — by funding external organizations rather than procuring goods or services for direct government use. They represent a distinct and significant category of federal funding opportunity.
Practical Application
Example 1 — Community Health: A federal health agency issues an RFA to fund community health initiatives. Eligible applicants submit project narratives, budgets, and supporting documents, which are reviewed and scored based on published evaluation criteria before awards are made.
Example 2 — Research Institution: A university responds to an RFA from a federal science agency to fund a multi-year research program, submitting qualifications, a detailed project timeline, and a budget aligned with Uniform Guidance cost principles.
Example 3 — Nonprofit Organization: A community-based nonprofit applies for an RFA focused on workforce development, leveraging the agency's technical assistance resources to navigate the application process and demonstrate alignment with the program's funding priorities.
Regulatory Framework
RFAs are governed by federal and state grant regulations that define when grants are appropriate and establish compliance requirements for recipients — distinct from the FAR framework that governs procurement contracts:
Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977
Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR Part 200)
Agency-specific policies and program statutes
Why It Matters for Contractors
Business Implications: RFAs provide access to non-procurement funding opportunities that can support mission-driven projects, diversify revenue streams, and open doors to federal funding outside the traditional contracting marketplace.
Compliance Impact: Recipients must comply with reporting obligations, cost principles under Uniform Guidance, audit standards, and performance monitoring requirements. Failure to meet grant conditions may result in repayment obligations or audit findings.
Strategic Importance: Successful RFA responses can diversify revenue streams, strengthen long-term funding pipelines, and build relationships with federal agencies — positioning organizations for future grant and cooperative agreement opportunities.
Risk Considerations: Failure to comply with grant conditions may result in repayment obligations, audit findings, or loss of future eligibility. Organizations must maintain robust financial management and performance reporting systems to sustain grant award status.
Common Misconceptions About RFA
RFAs are only for large organizations.
Many RFAs are open to small businesses, community-based organizations, and first-time applicants if the published eligibility criteria are met.
RFAs are the same as RFPs.
RFAs fund projects through grants under financial assistance law. RFPs procure goods or services under contract law — they are governed by entirely different regulatory frameworks.
The RFA application process is impossible to navigate.
While detailed, agencies typically provide application instructions and technical assistance sessions to support applicants through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an RFA and an RFP?
An RFA funds grant-based projects aligned with agency goals under financial assistance law. An RFP is used to procure goods or services through a competitive contract process governed by the FAR.
Who can apply for an RFA?
Eligibility depends on the specific RFA. Common applicants include nonprofits, educational institutions, state and local governments, and sometimes for-profit entities.
What does an RFA application typically include?
Most applications require a project narrative, detailed budget, timeline, organizational qualifications, and supporting documentation aligned with the agency's evaluation criteria.
Are RFAs legally binding contracts?
RFAs result in grant awards or cooperative agreements, not procurement contracts. Different legal and compliance standards apply, primarily governed by Uniform Guidance rather than the FAR.
Related Government Contracting Topics
Request for Proposal (RFP): A solicitation used to procure goods or services through a competitive contract process under the FAR, distinct from the grant-based RFA process.
Grant Agreement: A legal instrument used to transfer funding to support a public purpose without acquiring goods or services for direct government use — the typical outcome of a successful RFA.
Cooperative Agreement: Similar to a grant but involves substantial agency involvement during project performance, another common award instrument resulting from an RFA.
Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200): Federal regulations governing administrative requirements, cost principles, and audits for federal awards, which all RFA recipients must comply with.
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): A public announcement providing details about available grant funding and application procedures, often used interchangeably with or in conjunction with an RFA.