While most of the substantive efforts under a federal award are left to the PI and his staff, certain activities are still regulated by the governing sponsor, and the obligations therein vary from agency to agency depending on the issue. Our next couple of installments will examine these “Expanded Authorities,” as there is often confusion regarding what can and cannot be done without prior approval by the sponsor.
Air Force Office of Scientific Research
No Cost Extensions: All NCE’s require prior approval
Pre-Award Costs: Awardee can approve costs incurred ninety days prior to the award start date, but at the grantee’s risk.
Equipment: Awardee can approve a purchase of equipment that is not in the approve budget.
Foreign Travel: No prior approval is required.
Army Research Office
No Cost Extensions: All NCE’s require prior approval.
Pre-Award Costs: Awardee can approve costs incurred ninety days prior to the award start date, but at the grantee’s risk.
Equipment: Prior sponsor approval is required for purchases over $5,000 that were not in the approved budget.
Foreign Travel: No prior approval is required.
National Science Foundation
No Cost Extensions: Awardee can approve a one-time twelve-month NCE, but further extensions require sponsor approval.
Pre-Award Costs: Awardee can approve costs incurred ninety days prior to the award start date, but at the grantee’s risk.
Equipment: Awardee can approve a purchase of equipment that is not in the approve budget.
Foreign Travel: No prior approval is required.
United States Department of Agriculture
No Cost Extensions: Awardee can approve a one-time twelve-month NCE, but further extensions require sponsor approval.
Pre-Award Costs: Awardee can approve costs incurred ninety days prior to the award start date, but at the grantee’s risk.
Equipment: Awardee can approve a purchase of equipment that is not in the approve budget.
Foreign Travel: No prior approval is required.
Blogging ORA (JHSPH) 