Evidence-Based Grantmaking Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2]
Introduced
Summary
Requires federal grant programs to prioritize and use evidence-based practices. It would make agencies set clear grant purposes and outcomes, favor applicants using proven approaches and community-rooted organizations, and run periodic public evaluations that inform future grant notices.
Show full summary
- Heads of the 15 covered agencies would apply these standards to every covered grant and publish agency-specific frameworks and annual reports to Congress on progress.
- Grant announcements would need a defined purpose and intended outcomes, and agencies would prioritize applicants that use evidence-based practices or represent the communities served. Recipients would be required to use those practices when serving the public with grant funds.
- The Office of Management and Budget would issue guidance defining "evidence-based" within 1 year and agencies would begin full implementation of their public frameworks for all covered grants five years after enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Implementation timelines and public reporting
The bill would give agencies up to 5 years after enactment to put their framework into effect for all covered grants. Each agency head would have to send OMB a plan within 180 days after the agency posts its definition and framework, including an initial list of covered grants. Agency heads would also send annual reports to Congress on activities under the section, starting 180 days after the agency posts its definition. OMB would produce two report series: yearly progress reports starting 1 year after enactment and running through year five, and annual reports on how agencies use the framework starting 1 year after framework implementation begins.
New rules for federal grant awards
Beginning 180 days after an agency posts its evidence-based definition, the bill would require each covered grant notice to state a clear purpose and intended outcomes. Agencies would have to prioritize applicants that use evidence-based practices and that are responsive to community needs or located in the community served. Recipients would be required to use evidence-based practices when they provide services with grant funds. Agencies, through their Evaluation Officers, would run periodic evaluations during the grant term using Federal program evaluation standards and multiple evaluation types, publish evaluation results, and use findings to shape future solicitations. Agencies could provide technical assistance to help recipients comply. The 180-day start is per agency and applies “where practicable.”
OMB rules for evidence-based grants
This bill would require the OMB Director to publish guidance on what “evidence-based” means within 1 year of enactment. Each listed agency would then have 1 year after OMB guidance to define the term for its programs. Agencies would have to publish a Federal Register notice proposing their definition, explain how they will include community engagement and evaluation rules, and allow 60 days for public comment. Agencies would also have to publish a framework showing how they will give priority to applicants using evidence-based practices.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2]
IN • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
NE • R
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
CO • D
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Timmons
SC • R
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
NC • D
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]
UT • R
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
OH • D
Sponsored 1/16/2026
Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7]
OH • R
Sponsored 1/21/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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