FAIN
The unique identifier a federal agency assigns to an award it has made. It identifies money already given to a named recipient, not an opportunity you can apply for, and it is the key federal spending records are organised around.
Part of the GrantTrove grant funding glossary — one entry for every field the catalogue stores.
Also called Federal Award Identification Number
In detail
It appears on the notice of award and on every report about that award afterwards, which makes it the thread connecting an agency’s records, a recipient’s accounting, and the public spending data.
It is issued at award time. Nothing published before selection carries one, which is why it never appears on an opportunity listing, and why a search for a specific FAIN belongs in federal spending data rather than in a catalogue of open calls.
Against our portal ID
`source_post_id` identifies a posting on the portal that published it, and exists before anyone has applied. A FAIN identifies an award after it has been made. They live on opposite sides of the decision, and no record here carries a FAIN because no record here describes an award already given.
How GrantTrove stores it
- `source_post_id` and `source_fingerprint` are how a record is identified and how a re-post is recognised as the same notice rather than a new one.
- Where a source changes its identifier scheme, the fingerprint is what keeps a record from being duplicated, and the methodology page describes how that check is made.
Common questions
Can I look up a grant by FAIN here?
No. We hold opportunities, and a FAIN belongs to an award already made.
Where does a FAIN appear?
On the notice of award and in federal spending records.
Is it the same as an assistance listing number?
No. A listing number identifies a programme; a FAIN identifies one award under it.