Streamlining Federal Grants Act of 2026

This bill seeks to significantly improve the effectiveness and performance of Federal grant and cooperative agreement programs. Its core purposes include simplifying application and reporting requirements, enhancing the delivery of services to the public, and fostering greater coordination among Federal agencies and non-Federal entities. A particular focus is placed on improving access for communities and organizations that have historically not received Federal grants. To achieve these goals, the bill mandates the designation of senior agency officials for grants within each agency to oversee grant policy and implementation. It also establishes a Grants Council , chaired by the Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management, comprising these senior agency officials and other relevant personnel. This Council is tasked with directing and coordinating agencies on various improvements, including designing common data standards and creating guidelines for simplified funding opportunities. The Council's responsibilities further extend to improving interagency information collection, supporting workforce development, and establishing conflict of interest policies. Agencies are required to develop grant improvement plans to streamline procedures, enhance user experience with plain language and training, and ensure meaningful access for individuals with limited English proficiency. The Director of OMB must consistently solicit feedback from non-Federal entities to inform these efforts and ensure public input on agency plans. The Director is required to submit biennial reports to Congress on the Act's implementation and, after four years, recommend changes to laws and regulations. The bill also mandates a study and subsequent improvements to Grants.gov to enhance its accessibility and user experience. Finally, the Comptroller General will analyze challenges faced by non-Federal entities in accessing grants and will evaluate the Act's overall effectiveness within five years.