Subsidyscope has created over a dozen "tags" to help users sort federal programs. These tags describe the purpose(s) of federal programs and the mechanism(s) used to achieve this purpose. Many government programs attempt to increase safety, equity, natural resource protection or national defense. These are public goods that are underfunded when left to the market, thus government helps provides them. We have assigned a primary tag to each program along with one or more secondary tags, as appropriate.

Sometimes, a government program has a clear purpose but uses multiple mechanisms to achieve this purpose. For instance, a public safety program to reduce auto accident fatalities may pay to both train law enforcement officers as well as help people buy child booster seats. Where we know the primary purpose of a government program, we tag it as such. Where we know only the mechanism (e.g., training) but the purpose is unclear we make that the primary tag. However, when both the mechanism and the purpose are known and clear, we will default to the purpose as primary tag, but also capture the mechanism in the secondary tag.

Subsidyscope does not make a judgment about whether the intended government purpose is appropriate or achieved.

Tags Characterizing a Program's Primary Purpose

Economic Development

Stimulates economic growth.

Education

Teaching of general knowledge, even if specific to a certain field, to a general audience (e.g. aviation education). By comparison, Training concerns the teaching of more specific skills.

Equity

Addresses perceived economic, social, physical or other inequality. Intended to increase access to various opportunities among specific groups, including but not limited to promoting civil rights, disability rights, income supports, rural access to mass transit, etc.

Infrastructure

Builds, enhances or maintains basic physical structures for society to function, including roads, train tracks, ports, etc.

National Security

Protect citizens from physical or economic harm from foreign sources. Such programs include as border protection, defense, alternatives to foreign oil, etc. (See also Safety for protection from local or national dangers).

Natural Resource Protection

Protect or enhance the natural environment.

Research & Development*

Work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.

Safety

Protect citizens from physical harm. (See also National Security for protection from international threats).

Tags Characterizing a Program's Mechanism of Delivery

Insurance

Insures against a certain risk.

Intergovernmental Transfer

Any program that provides assistance to state or local governments, or other non-federal government entities, or quasi-governmental entities. If states are eligible to apply for or receive the particular funds, then the Intergovernmental transfer tag is automatically applied.

Operating Expenses

Programs that provide funding that can be used for administrative expenses.

Regulatory Enforcement

Ensures that regulations are being complied with (though different from Regulatory Compliance). Entity receiving the funds is not regulated entity. Example: states receive funds for policy to enforce environmental regulations.

Regulatory Compliance

Helps entities comply with a regulation to which it is legally bound. Entity receiving funds is often the regulated entity. (Different from Regulatory Enforcement). Example: companies receive funds to help them comply with environmental regulations.

Training

Education that involves job- or function- specific know how. More targeted than Education.

* Research and development is considered a purpose when it is basic research. Applied research is considered a mechanism.