Money & budgets
federal grant
Federal money given to states, localities, tribes, or organizations for a purpose. Categorical grants are narrow; block grants are broad and capped.
In full
Grants are the main channel through which federal policy reaches areas the federal government cannot regulate directly. Categorical grants fund specific activities with detailed conditions; block grants consolidate programs and give recipients flexibility, usually with less money over time. Formula grants distribute by statute, project grants by competitive application.
Also written as: block grant, categorical grant
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.