The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is now the standard identification number required for any entity doing business with the U.S. federal government. If you are a Texas business applying for federal grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, you need a UEI. This guide explains what the UEI is, how to get one, and how it fits into the federal grant application process.
What Is a UEI?
The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by SAM.gov (the System for Award Management) to entities registered in the federal award system. It replaced the DUNS number in April 2022 as the government's standard entity identifier. What happened to DUNS numbers.
Your UEI is used on all federal grant applications, contract proposals, and award documents. Federal agencies use it to track awards, verify entity status, and manage reporting across the federal award lifecycle.
Who Needs a UEI?
You need a UEI if your Texas business plans to:
- Apply for any federal grant (SBIR, USDA programs, DOE programs, etc.)
- Submit proposals through Grants.gov
- Bid on or receive federal contracts
- Receive subawards from federal grant recipients
- Apply for local programs funded with federal pass-through dollars (like CDBG)
You do not need a UEI for Texas state-only programs (like the Skills Development Fund or Texas Enterprise Fund) or purely local programs that do not involve federal funding.
How to Get a UEI
Your UEI is assigned automatically when you register on SAM.gov. There is no separate application for a UEI — it is part of the SAM registration process. Complete SAM registration guide.
Option 1: Full SAM Registration
If you plan to receive federal awards (grants or contracts), complete a full SAM.gov registration. This provides your UEI and activates your entity in the federal award system. Full registration typically takes 7 to 10 business days.
Option 2: UEI-Only Validation
If you only need a UEI for a sub-award or registration purpose but do not need a full SAM registration, SAM.gov offers a "validate UEI only" option. This is faster than full registration but does not give you the active SAM registration needed to receive federal awards directly.
Information Needed for UEI Assignment
- Legal business name (must match IRS records exactly)
- Physical business address
- Business start date
- Business type (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship, etc.)
- Country of incorporation and state of incorporation
SAM.gov validates this information against government databases. If there is a mismatch between your SAM information and your IRS or Secretary of State records, the validation may fail and you will need to correct the discrepancy before your UEI is assigned.
Finding Your Existing UEI
If you previously registered on SAM.gov, your UEI was assigned automatically. To find it:
- Log into SAM.gov with your Login.gov credentials
- Navigate to your entity registration
- Your UEI is displayed on your entity dashboard
If you had a DUNS number and an active SAM registration before April 2022, your account was automatically transitioned to a UEI.
UEI vs. EIN: What Is the Difference?
These are different identifiers for different purposes:
- EIN (Employer Identification Number): Issued by the IRS for tax purposes. Used on tax returns, employment forms, and bank accounts.
- UEI (Unique Entity Identifier): Issued by SAM.gov for federal award purposes. Used on grant applications, contract proposals, and federal reporting.
You need both. The EIN is required for virtually all business activities. The UEI is specifically required for federal grants and contracts.
Keeping Your UEI Active
Your UEI itself does not expire, but your SAM registration does. SAM registrations must be renewed annually. If your SAM registration expires, your entity is no longer active in the federal system, even though your UEI number remains assigned to you.
Renew your SAM registration before it expires. Set a calendar reminder for 60 days before your registration expiration date.
Common UEI Issues
- Validation failure: If SAM.gov cannot validate your entity information, check that your legal name and address match your IRS records exactly.
- Duplicate registrations: If your business has been registered under multiple names or structures, you may have duplicate UEIs. Contact the SAM.gov help desk to resolve duplicates.
- Processing delays: During high-volume periods (like major grant deadlines), SAM processing can take longer than the standard 7 to 10 business days.
Bottom Line
The UEI is your ticket to federal grants and contracts. It is free, assigned through SAM.gov, and required for any federal award. Register early — do not wait until you find a grant opportunity, because the registration process takes time. Keep your SAM registration current with annual renewals, and never pay a third party for a service that the government provides for free.
Not sure which programs may fit your business? Our free screening report checks your business against 150+ verified programs — grants, tax credits, loans, and incentives — and shows you which ones may match. Start your free screening →