Unique Entity ID (UEI)
Definition
The 12-character identifier issued through SAM.gov that every organization needs before applying for federal grants. It replaced the DUNS number in April 2022.
The Unique Entity ID (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned to organizations through SAM.gov, the U.S. government's official System for Award Management. Every organization must have a UEI before it can apply for federal grants through Grants.gov. The UEI replaced the DUNS number for federal awards in April 2022, though many forms and older guides still reference DUNS, which causes frequent confusion for first-time applicants.
How to Get a UEI
Getting a UEI is free and handled entirely through SAM.gov. Watch out for third-party services that charge for it; the official process costs nothing.
- Go to SAM.gov and create an account (or sign in with Login.gov)
- Choose 'Get Started' under Entity Registration. If you only need a UEI for a grant application, you can request the ID alone; full SAM registration is required to actually receive federal funds
- Provide your organization's legal name, physical address, and formation details. SAM.gov validates them against public records
- The UEI is usually issued within a few business days once validation passes; full SAM registration can take several weeks, so start early
- Renew your SAM registration annually. An expired registration can block an otherwise complete application
UEI vs. DUNS vs. EIN
These three identifiers are often mixed up because older grant materials reference all of them. Each serves a different purpose.
- UEI (Unique Entity ID): the current federal grant identifier, issued free by SAM.gov. Required for Grants.gov applications since April 2022
- DUNS number: the previous federal identifier, issued by Dun & Bradstreet. Retired for federal awards, but some private funders and corporate programs still use it. Available free at dnb.com/duns
- EIN (Employer Identification Number): your organization's federal tax ID, issued by the IRS. Found on your IRS CP 575 confirmation letter, prior tax filings such as Form 990, and bank paperwork. Nonprofits can also look themselves up in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search
Where to Find an EIN You Already Have
If your organization exists but nobody remembers the EIN, there are several reliable places to recover it before resorting to the IRS.
- The IRS CP 575 letter sent when the EIN was first assigned
- Prior federal tax filings, including Form 990 for nonprofits
- Bank account paperwork, payroll records, or state registration filings
- The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (for nonprofits) or Candid/GuideStar profiles
- The IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, answered for authorized officers of the organization
Common Pitfalls
A few registration issues derail more federal applications than any writing problem. All of them are avoidable with lead time.
- Starting SAM.gov registration the week of a deadline. Full registration can take several weeks when validation issues come up
- Paying a third-party service for a UEI or SAM registration that SAM.gov provides free
- Letting SAM registration lapse between grant cycles; renewal is required every 365 days
- Entering a DUNS number where a form asks for a UEI, or vice versa. Check which identifier the funder actually wants