D-U-N-S® Number Requirement
What is a D-U-N-S® number?
D-U-N-S® stands for "data universal numbering system." D-U-N-S® numbers are issued by Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) and consist of nine digits.
Why does my institution have to provide it?
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) adopted the use of D-U-N-S® numbers to track how federal grant money is dispersed, but they are now being phased out in favor of a unique entity identifier (UEI) assigned by the System for Award Management (SAM). Until April 3, 2022, the D-U-N-S® number will be the authoritative identifier. Beginning April 4, 2022, the SAM UEI will be the sole identifier for federal grants. All institutions with a current SAM registration will be automatically assigned a UEI. Until the change is finalized, new registrants will need a D-U-N-S® number to register in SAM, but they will be assigned a UEI as well.
More information on the transition from D-U-N-S® to SAM can be found here.
Are all applicants required to have a D-U-N-S® number?
No. Only institutional applicants are required to provide their D-U-N-S® number. Individuals are exempt.
I am a project director. How do I find my institution's D-U-N-S® number?
Ask your institution's grant administrator or chief financial officer to provide your institution's D-U-N-S® number. Research universities and most colleges, independent libraries, and large organizations already have D-U-N-S® numbers.
What happens if my institution does not have a D-U-N-S® number?
The chief financial officer or authorizing official of your institution will need to register for a D-U-N-S® number. The project director should NOT apply for a number.
There are two ways to obtain a D-U-N-S® number. Your institution can use the special toll-free number for federal grant applicants: 1-866-705-5711. The process will take about ten minutes and your institution will receive a D-U-N-S® number within a couple business days. When you call, tell them that you are applying to a federal grant program and need to register for a D-U-N-S® number. You will be asked to provide the following information:
- Name of institution
- Address
- Telephone number
- Name of the head of the institution (CEO, president, director, etc.)
- Type of institution (university, college, library, museum, historical society, etc.)
- Total number of employees (full- and part-time)
Your institution can also register for a D-U-N-S® number via Dun & Bradstreet's website at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Please note that registration via the website may take up to thirty business days to complete.
Is there a fee for registering for a D-U-N-S® number?
No. D&B should not charge you a fee. You are also not obligated to purchase any of their products.