 Earmarking is a requirement that specifies a limit amount or percentage of the program ’ s assistance that must ( minimum ) or may ( maximum ) be used for specified activities . Examples of this include limits imposed on the federal government on the amount of federal funds to cover administrative expenses , or a percentage requirement for total program funds provided to subrecipients . Earmarking may also be specified in relation to the types of participants covered ( e.g. a limit on how many participants a recipient can provide assistance to ) . 
