Guide
What is an Assistance Listing Number (ALN, formerly CFDA)?
Updated · GrantsJunction editorial
An Assistance Listing Number (ALN) is the identifier for a federal assistance program, such as 10.351 for USDA's Rural Business Development Grants. The first two digits identify the agency and the three after the period identify the program. ALNs were formerly called CFDA numbers (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance); the listings now live on SAM.gov. Individual grant opportunities list the ALN they are funded under.
Why ALNs are useful
- They are permanent. Opportunities open and close each year, but the program and its number usually stay the same — so an ALN is the best way to follow a program over time.
- They connect data. Grants.gov opportunities, SAM.gov program descriptions and USAspending.gov award records all reference ALNs.
- They help you research who has been funded: search past awards by ALN to see typical recipients and award sizes.
Reading the number
The prefix before the period is the agency (for example 10 = Department of Agriculture, 93 = Health and Human Services, 84 = Department of Education, 47 = National Science Foundation). The suffix identifies the specific program within that agency.
Useful links
Frequently asked questions
Is an ALN the same as a CFDA number?
Yes. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance was retired and its program listings moved to SAM.gov as Assistance Listings; CFDA numbers became Assistance Listing Numbers.
Can one grant opportunity have more than one ALN?
Yes. Some opportunities are funded under several programs and list multiple ALNs.
General information, not legal or grant-writing advice. Rules can change — the official notice and the awarding agency govern.