New Grant Requirement: Moving from DUNS Number to Unique Entity ID (UEI)

In accordance with federal government policy, all organizations – including (but not limited to) nonprofit organizations, private schools, public school districts, and government entities – must provide a valid Unique Entity ID (UEI) to receive a SC Humanities grant award.

The UEI requirement will replace the DUNS number requirement, effective April 4, 2022. (Note: SC Humanities Grant applications will be updated to reflect a place to enter the UEI, effective April 1, 2022.)

What is a UEI, and why do I need one?

UEI is an alphanumeric code used to uniquely identify a specific entity.

SAM UEIs are federally issued UEIs obtained through SAM.gov, an Entity Validation Service, which independently verifies the uniqueness of an entity by confirming that there is no existing registration for that legal business name and address. This ensures that SAM UEIs are unique.

As a recipient of federal funding through the National Endowment for the Humanities, SC Humanities must require its grantees to provide a SAM UEI.

Is a UEI the same as a DUNS number, Tax ID, or FEIN?

No. The FEIN or Tax ID number relates to federal tax-exempt status. The SAM UEI is for identification of unique entities.

DUNS numbers are similar to SAM UEIs in terms of purpose and process, but they are not the same. Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) keeps track of more than 70 million businesses world-wide through its Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) (a.k.a. D-U-N-S Number or D-U-N-S® Number). 

Until April 4, 2022, the DUNS Number is the authoritative entity identifier used by the federal government. Beginning April 4, 2022, UEIs obtained through SAM.gov will replace DUNS numbers as the authoritative entity identifier used by the federal government.

Who Needs a UEI?

All organizations – including (but not limited to) nonprofit organizations, private schools, public school districts, and government entities – must have a UEI to receive a SC Humanities grant award.

  • Individual public schools may use their school district’s UEI and do not need their own UEI.
  • Individual students applying for a scholarship are not required to obtain a UEI.

How Do I Get a UEI?

Request a UEI via SAM.gov.

WHAT INFORMATION WILL I NEED TO PROVIDE?

(subject to change)

  • Legal name of organization
  • Physical address (and PO box if you have one)
  • Telephone number
  • Web address
  • Name of the authorizing official (e.g., president, director, etc.)
  • The purpose of your organization (e.g., non-profit dance company to perform and create work, museum that provides art exhibitions for the general public, etc.)
  • Total number of employees
CAN ANYONE REGISTER MY ORGANIZATION?

An authorizing official (someone who can legally represent the organization) should request the SAM UEI.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

There is no fee. If you encounter a website, email, or entity that is asking you to pay a fee for a UEI, that is a scam.

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE


When Should I Get My UEI?

Start now!

Before April 4, 2022:

  • Those who have a DUNS number can use it to get a SAM UEI through a simplified process.
  • Those who do not have a DUNS number can use the same simplified process if they obtain a DUNS number through D&B’s website before requesting a UEI through SAM.gov.

Beginning April 4, 2022:

  • The process for getting a SAM UEI will be similar to the process formerly used to obtain a DUNS number; it will just now be handled through SAM.gov instead of D&B’s website.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

It normally takes up to two business days to get a UEI from SAM.gov. However, we recommend you begin the process right away, in case of unexpected delays.

PLEASE NOTE: SC Humanities cannot help you obtain a UEI number. If you are having issues with obtraining a UEI number, please contact the SAM.gov Help Desk