# Build the request body

Still inside the function we are now going to build out the "payload" which is the body of the request. In here we will add parameters which instructs the API what we are searching for.

<pre class="language-python"><code class="lang-python"><strong>import requests
</strong>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
def search_opportunities(search_term=""):
    """Search for grant opportunities"""
    # These headers will authenticate your API call
     headers = {
        "X-API-Key": API_KEY,
        "Content-Type": "application/json"
    }
    
     # Build the search request
     # This asks for page 1, 10 results, newest first by post_date.
    payload = {
        "pagination": {
            "page_offset": 1,
            "page_size": 10,
            "sort_order": [
                {
                    "order_by": "post_date",
                    "sort_direction": "descending"
                }
            ]
        }
    }
</code></pre>

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


---

# Agent Instructions: 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:

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

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
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.