Every year Congress provides funding through the annual Appropriations Bill. Congressional earmarks are provisions in spending bills directing federal funds to specific projects for a particular congressional district, locality or state. These earmarks are now known as Community Project Funding in the House and Congressionally Directed Spending in the Senate and are available to non-profit entities for the purpose of benefitting the community.
The projects should address a community's need and must include letters of support from the community demonstrating the need, engagement and support. These letters are critical in determining which projects are worthy of Federal funding. Projects being considered for Senators should have regional or Statewide application, while projects to Representatives should be tailored to their Congressional District. Research projects are not eligible for support.
Mason will announce community project funding requests in February. All CHSS applications will be submitted and reviewed by the College and successful applicants will then be submitted to the GMU Development Office and GMU Federal Government Relations Office who will decide which applications move forward to the Appropriations Committees based on feedback from our congresspeople and senators. Full US Senate and House applications are due March 1, 2026. Projects that are included in the Appropriations Bill that are approved by both the House and Senate and signed by the President, will receive the “appropriated” funding.
Examples of Congressional awards Mason has received in FY24 – FY 22 are listed on Mason’s Federal Government Relations webpage. If you’d like to learn more about federal appropriations, please check out COSSA 101: What is Appropriations?
If you are interested in applying for this funding and would like to discuss your idea, please contact Rashmi Pershad, Associate Director of CHSS Pre-Award Research Administration.
December 17, 2025