What is the difference between a Challenge, Training, Research, Block, and Demonstration grant?

A Challenge Grant: Is approved only if the grantee is able to raise additional resources from other sources as well. For example, an organization would make a challenge grant of $7000 if the grantee has gathered $7000 from some other source also.

A Training Grant: Used to support teaching students at all educational levels to meet the sponsor's needs of a perceived shortage in a specific field. Training grants are usually more specific in the project purpose, students involved, and length of training support. Usually these grants provide direct support to student(s) who qualify, along with a modest amount of support, including tuition and fees. Many have lower F & A rates.

A Research Grant: An award to an academic or professional staff member to support his/her ongoing research interest.

A Block Grant: These are federal programs which allocate money to states according to a formula, and the states have broad discretion in how to spend the money.  The basic premise is that States should be free to target resources and design administrative mechanisms to provide services to meet the needs of their citizens.

A Demonstration Grant: A grant made to establish an innovative project or program that will serve as a model, if successful, and may be replicated by others.

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