The federal government launched a Web site today that allows organizations to get information about all grant programs through a single, comprehensive site.

Grants.gov is intended to make it easier for organizations to learn about and apply for federal grants. Its launch marks an important milestone in President Bush’s electronic government initiative, according to government officials.

“For the first time, there will be a single governmentwide source for information about grants programs,” said Tommy Thompson, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, who unveiled the site for the administration.

HHS, which awards more than half of all federal competitive grants, led the development of the cross-agency Web site. The Web site has information about more than 800 available grant programs involving all 26 federal grant-making agencies. Together, these agencies award more than $360 billion.

The site provides information in a standardized format, and includes a feature known as “Find Grant Opportunities,” designed to help applicants find potential funding opportunities.

The site also contains an “Apply for Grants” feature that simplifies the application process by allowing applicants to download, complete and submit applications for specific grant opportunities from any federal grant-making agency.

To date, application packages have been posted to the Grants.gov Web site by the departments of Commerce, Education, Energy, Justice and HHS. The section will be expanded as federal agencies continue to post application information about additional opportunities.

Grants.gov is a collaborative effort involving HHS and the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor and Transportation and the National Science Foundation.