Evidence-Based Grantmaking Act
Sponsored By: Representative Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2]
Introduced
Summary
Require federal grants to fund proven, evidence-based programs. This bill would make 15 federal agencies use clearer grant goals, prioritize applicants that use evidence-based practices and serve community needs, and require periodic, public evaluations to show whether grants achieve their intended outcomes.
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- Federal agencies: Heads at the 15 named agencies would have to include a defined grant purpose and intended outcomes in funding notices, adopt an agency-specific definition of “evidence-based” after OMB guidance, and publish a framework for applying those standards.
- Grant applicants and recipients: Applicants that demonstrate use of evidence-based practices and community responsiveness would receive priority. Recipients would be required to use those practices and submit to periodic impact, outcome, and implementation evaluations during the grant term.
- Communities and oversight: Grants would favor organizations located in or representative of the communities they serve. The Office of Management and Budget would issue guidance within 1 year and report to Congress annually for 5 years on implementation and best practices.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Timetable for agency evidence rules
If enacted, the Director of OMB would have to issue guidance on the meaning of "evidence-based" within one year of enactment. Within one year after OMB guidance, each listed agency would have to publish its own definition and a public framework, give at least 60 days for public comment, and then send an initial implementation report to OMB within 180 days of publication. Agencies would be required to apply their frameworks to all covered grants beginning five years after enactment, with a requirement to report best practices within one year after starting implementation.
More public reports on federal grants
If enacted, the Director of OMB would have to report to Congress each year starting one year after enactment and through year five on progress defining and implementing evidence-based grant rules. Once agencies begin implementation, OMB would report annually on how agencies use the frameworks, including counts of covered grants and examples. Each covered agency would also have to send an annual report to Congress on activities under this section beginning 180 days after the agency's definition is public.
New evidence rules for federal grants
If enacted, the bill would require every funding notice for a covered grant to state a clear purpose and intended outcomes. Agencies would be required to prefer applicants that use or will implement evidence-based practices, that respond to community needs, or that are located in or representative of the target community. Grant recipients would have to use evidence-based methods when spending grant funds. Beginning 180 days after each agency publishes its own definition of "evidence-based," the agency's Evaluation Officer would have to run periodic evaluations, publish results, and use findings to shape future grants. The rule would apply to 15 major departments and agencies, including Agriculture, HHS, HUD, EPA, Treasury, Justice, and the Small Business Administration.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
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.
View on Congress.gov