> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.simpler.grants.gov/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.simpler.grants.gov/product/api/simpler-grants-api-tutorial/lets-make-a-python-script-to-use-the-api/add-the-request-headers.md).

# Add the request headers

Now that we have a function defined, let's go ahead and add the request headers. You should be familiar with these from the tests that we did earlier. They are used to authenticate the application with the Simpler.Grants.gov API.

<pre class="language-python"><code class="lang-python">import requests
import json

# Your API configuration
API_KEY = "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"  # Replace with your actual key
BASE_URL = "https://api.simpler.grants.gov"

# The function that will contain search logic
<strong>def search_opportunities(search_term=""):
</strong>    """Search for grant opportunities"""
    # These headers will authenticate your API call
     headers = {
        "X-API-Key": API_KEY,
        "Content-Type": "application/json"
    }
</code></pre>

{% hint style="info" %}

* `X-API-Key` authenticates you.
* `Content-Type` tells the server we’re sending JSON.
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Something not working as expected? Check out [common issues & solutions](/product/api/simpler-grants-api-tutorial/common-issues-and-solutions.md).
{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://wiki.simpler.grants.gov/product/api/simpler-grants-api-tutorial/lets-make-a-python-script-to-use-the-api/add-the-request-headers.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.