Product roadmap
This project is transparent, iterative, and agile. All of the code we're writing is open source and our roadmap is public. See what we're building and prioritizing.
Key milestones
Early 2026
A new way to apply
Simpler Search is now the default search for funding opportunities, and we're testing a simpler, more intuitive application workflow with a small number of partner agencies and funding opportunities.
Mid-2026
Expanding the Simpler experience
We'll pilot new budget forms and support scaling for all agencies to increase the number of opportunities that can be applied for through Simpler.Grants.gov.
2027
Simpler Grants replaces legacy Grants.gov
The Simpler.Grants.gov experience becomes the default experience of Grants.gov, providing a modern, consistent experience for all users.
What we're working on
Piloting smarter, easier budget forms
In collaboration with users from the Simpler Grants Co-Design Group, we're prototyping a smarter, easier-to-use budget form to directly address the most common challenges applicants face. The redesigned form will incorporate clearer instructions, simplified user flow, and auto-calculation of fields to reduce confusion and errors.
Improve users' confidence in choosing competitive, relevant opportunities
We're excited to help you find and get opportunities you need. We are developing user-requested enhancements to Simpler Search, and we're also developing a new set of initiatives to help organizations find opportunities that are better tailored to their needs. This will result in reducing the time and effort required to discover opportunities, determine whether they're a strong fit, and align as a team to pursue them.
Scale opportunity coverage and form creation
Simpler's new, streamlined application experience will support enough forms to cover 35% of competitions on Grants.gov, enabling opportunities to be supported from more grantor agencies. This will be made possible with the addition of internal tools that reduce the manual effort needed to launch opportunities between different environments.
Community-prioritized improvements & open source involvement
We remain committed to open, participatory software development. We have deepened our collaboration with the Co-Design Group by establishing routine check-ins and workshops that directly involved them in the agile delivery process. We selected a key agile deliverable to pilot our co-planning methodology and successfully advanced community-prioritized improvements by delivering two highly voted items from the public voting board (known as our Fider board). We will continue to host co-planning and working sessions, and increase community engagement.
Reducing burden of starting an application
We're making it easier for you to find the right opportunity and start an application. Each opportunity page will contain more information to help you decide if it meets your needs, and guide you through the process of starting an application when you're ready to apply. Usability testing will continue improving our forms so they're approachable and easy to follow. Our workflow will make it faster and easier to fill out applications, with improved navigation, helpful guidance, and clear status indicators.
What we've delivered
Read the latest release notes on our public wiki
Late 2025
Launched Release Notes
We proudly announced the launch of release notes for Simpler.Grants.Gov! Our goal for these updates is to regularly showcase new features, important bug fixes, improvements to enhance your experience, and more. Read the latest release notes on our public wiki.
Improving the application workflow
We built on lessons learned from our 'Apply' workflow pilot, launching two opportunities for application through Simpler.Grants.gov while adding features based on direct user feedback and testing. We prepared to scale up to support more agencies. And we added an activity history that improves collaborating on applications.
Accelerating form development
We scaled our form repository to 15 commonly used forms, unlocking additional agency partnership opportunities for applications in the future. Using a shared JSON schema, our tool now instantly renders the form, letting developers and program staff build and preview forms in real time. This also allows Simpler data to map to the CommonGrants Protocol.
Simplifying user permissions
Grants.gov user roles and permissions can be cumbersome and may not align with how organizations work. We co-designed a new experience with applicants and grantors to simplify onboarding, improve visibility into organizational access, and make collaboration easier and more intuitive.
Launched new changes to the Activity Dashboard
The Simpler.Grants.gov team has created a hub that allows users to quickly access saved searches and applications. To solve for the key pain point of finding active grants and managing work, this Activity Dashboard centralizes where users can manage their work and track their progress.
Beta launch of Simpler Search on Grants.gov
We launched Simpler Search directly on Grants.gov alongside the classic search experience. This gave users a choice, helped us test traffic, and supported tools to improve usability and iterate more quickly based on user data.
New opportunities for open-source collaboration
We strengthened our open-source community by hosting our Discourse forum on a .gov domain and establishing regular public meetings to foster collaboration and transparency.
An 'Apply' workflow pilot
We piloted the end-to-end grant application journey with grant seekers, testing submissions to help scale future support for all agencies.
SOAP Proxy for the 'Apply' workflow
We built a SOAP proxy to route all external applicant API traffic through Simpler.Grants.gov, setting the stage for a smooth shift to a modern REST interface.
User research on permissions
We researched how users manage roles and permissions, shaping a new model to support most Grants.gov applicants and simplify authorization.
Automated API key management
We built tools so authorized users can securely generate and manage their API keys independently without admin support.
Simpler application workflow prototype
We created a comprehensive service blueprint showing how the existing Grants.gov application process could be simplified. Then, we prototyped an application form with persistent data storage and scoped a pilot for a small subset of opportunities.
Full support for opportunity page attachments (NOFOs/downloads)
The opportunity listings on Simpler.Grants.gov now show all of the information and file attachments available on Grants.gov. Design updates made the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) easier to access.
Authentication via Login.gov
Finalizing authentication enabled grant seekers to create an account using Login.gov's single sign-on platform. This move reduced the steps and friction users experience when signing up.
Search & opportunity page improvements
Applying feedback from the community, we iterated on improvements that made it easier to adjust search filter criteria, share search results, and save relevant results and opportunities.
RESTful API launch
Our new modern API makes grants opportunity data more accessible, with an API‑first approach that prioritizes data and ensures that the Grants.gov website, 3rd‑party apps, and other services can more easily access grants data.
Coding Challenge pilot
We're excited to announce the successful pilot of the Collaborative Coding Challenge, which laid the groundwork for a scalable framework to support future open-source contributions. This event was conducted in a fully remote environment to bring together participants who engaged in innovative problem-solving and collaboration.
Search UI usability test
We've conducted sessions with grant seekers, grantors, and HHS staff to test the new design. This study revealed findings and uncovered tangible issues to be resolved in the next Search UI iteration.
Opportunity page launch
You can now view opportunity details on Simpler.Grants.gov, with action-oriented information in the right column and detailed content on the left. With this new design, grant seekers can make faster, more informed decisions about opportunities.
First Co-Design Group recruitment
We've recruited a cohort of community members with lived experience using Grants.gov to participate in the design process. Through a long-term engagement, these co-designers will ensure what we build delivers the most value to grant seekers who struggle most with the grants experience.
Search interface launch
Simpler.Grants.gov now has improved search capabilities that make it easier to find funding opportunities published by Grants.gov.
How we work
With each iteration of Simpler.Grants.gov, you'll be able to try out functional software and give us feedback on what works and what can be improved to inform what happens next.
Transparent
We're building a simpler Grants.gov in the open. All of the code we're writing is open source and our roadmap is public.
Agile
We swiftly adapt to changing priorities and requirements based on the feedback we receive.
Iterative
We continuously release features, refining the product with each cycle based on public input. Send us your feedback and suggestions.
Co-planning
We prioritize improvements to align with user needs through public ranking. Let us know what's important to you.
