Project Grants

• Project grants are given by the government for individual projects and for community-based projects. They can be used for educational goals and scientific research. They can also be used for community projects such as social services issues, arts and health care. They are given on a competitive basis. They are given out through various community programs and schools. The application process varies with each grant.
  
  

Formula Grants

• Formula grants are issued based on a specific formula and are targeted toward families and children. They are noncompetitive and are used for education and employment training. Formula grants have strict rules based on the statistics such as population and employment rate. The object of these grants is to raise the standard of living in these areas.
  
  

Categorical Grants

• Categorical grants are issued by the U.S. Congress. They are only issued by narrow guidelines. Recipients of these types of grants are often asked to match the funds they've been issued. Categorical grants are the main way that the federal government passes aid to state and local governments. They are used for education and things such as the development of the Interstate highway system, Head Start, food stamps and Medicaid.
  
  

Block Grants

• Block grants are a type of categorical grants. These grants are quite large and are issued to a local government by the national government for a general purpose or idea. They are given for many different reasons for a variety of purposes, with the main goal being to improve the living conditions of the area.
  
  

Earmark Grants

• An earmark grant is a grant specifically marks the funds for you by Congress. These grants are not competitive but must have lobbyists available to push for the project and tout its merits and advantages. A grant proposal must be written and submitted, and there is a considerable wait time.