Posted on 3/27/2020:

ALLOW EXEMPTIONS FOR DOD FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS AFFECTED BY THE LOSSOF OPERATIONAL CAPACITY AND INCREASED COSTS DUE TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS.

Note: be sure to check with your individual sponsor agency to ensure compliance. Terms and Conditions for COVID-19 Waivers

Consistent with OMB Memorandum M-20-17, for a 90-day period starting March 19, 2020 or until extended or rescinded by OMB. Except where noted below, the following flexibilities are applicable to DoD recipients affected by the loss of operational capacity and increased costs due to the COVID-19 crisis.

DoD will allow recipients to:

1. Delay submission of financial, performance, and other reports on currently active award accounts up to three months beyond the normal due date (2 CFR § 200.327). 
2. Incur costs related to the cancellation of events, travel, or other activities necessary and reasonable for the performance of the award, or the pausing and restarting of grant funded activities due to the public health emergency, to charge these costs to their award without regard to 2 CFR § 200.403, Factors affecting allowability of costs, 2 CFR § 200.404, Reasonable costs, and 2 CFR § 200.405, Allocable costs.
   • Recipients may charge the full cost of cancellation for events, travel, or other activities when the event, travel, or other activities are conducted under the auspices of the grant.
   • Recipients should not assume additional funds will be available should the charging of cancellation or other fees result in a shortage of funds to eventually carry out the event or travel.
   • Recipients must maintain appropriate records and cost documentation as required by 2 CFR § 200.302 -Financial management and 2 CFR § 200.333 Retention requirement of records, to substantiate the charge for any cancellation or other fees related to interruption of operations or services.
   • Recipients must follow applicable institution policy on allowable expenses for travel.
3. Continue to charge salaries and benefits to currently active Federal awards consistent with the recipients' policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal.
   • Charge other costs necessary to resume activities supported by the award, consistent with applicable Federal cost principles and the benefit to the project.  The DoD will evaluate the grantee’s ability to resume the project activity in the future and the appropriateness of future funding, as done under normal circumstances, based on subsequent progress reports and other communications with the grantee.
   • Recipients are required to follow the guidance in 2 CFR § 200.430 regarding allowability of tuition re-imbursement. 
4. Extend awards that were active as of March 31, 2020 and scheduled to expire prior or up to December 31, 2020, automatically, at no-cost for a period of up to 12 months.

Air force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)

Guidance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) No Cost Extensions (NCEs)

1. AFOSR will use 2 CFR 200.308 to the maximum extent practicable to mitigate impacts to basick research
2. To assist during this uncertain and challenging time, we may extend awards which are active as of March 31, 2020 and schedule to expire prior or up to December 31, 2020 at no cost for a period of up to twelve (12) months.  Upon the Recipient’s business office request, the NCE will be issued per grant modification for the respective grant.
3. NCE is not official until you receive a grant modification signed by the Grant Officer.
4. Any award that expires beyond December 31, 2020 that requires a NCE will be examined as the need arises

United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA)

USAMRAA’s Supplemental Guidance on Administrative Flexibilities for Grants and Cooperative Agreements in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Version 2, revised: March 25, 2020; Replaces FAQs dated March 16, 2020

1. Flexibility with application deadlines:  There are currently no plans to modify existing application deadline dates but please continue to monitor Grants.gov for any potential change(s) to an application deadline.
2. No-cost extensions on expiring awards:  USAMRAA’s terms and conditions of award already allow for a one-time, no cost extension of up to 12 months, without need to request prior approval, when the recipient notifies the Grants Officer (GO). 
   • Recipients may notify USAMRAA’s GO(s) of a blanket no-cost extension on all active awards(including grant numbers) covered under M-20-17 -- i.e., they do not need to be requested on an individual basis for each award.
   • Be aware that funding expiration statutes may prohibit extensions. Recipients should contact the USAMRAA GO for award-specific guidance.
3. Abbreviated continuation requests:  Not applicable for USAMRAA grants and cooperative agreements.
4. Expenditure of award funds for salaries and other project activities:
   • Recipients may continue to charge salaries and benefits to currently active awards consistent with the recipients' policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal.
   • USAMRAA will allow other costs to be charged to Federal awards necessary to resume activities supported by the award, consistent with applicable Federal cost principles and the benefit to the project. This may include allowing rent on equipment and facilities during this time frame.
   • To the maximum extent practicable, recipients must invoke or institute any and all reasonable mitigation actions and practices to lessen the cost to the Government during the crisis period. Such actions may be part of an existing program created by the recipient organization or may be created to respond to this crisis.
   • Recipients must maintain appropriate records and cost documentation as required by 2 CFR §200.302 - Financial management and 2 CFR § 200.333 - Retention requirement of records to substantiate the charging of any salaries and other project activities costs related to interruption of operations or services.
5.  Allowability of Costs not Normally Chargeable to Awards.
   • USAMRAA will allow recipients who incur costs related to the cancellation of events, travel, or other activities necessary and reasonable for the performance of the award, or the pausing and restarting of grant funded activities due to the public health emergency, to charge these costs to their award without regard to 2 CFR § 200.403, Factors affecting allow ability of costs, 2 CFR §200.404, Reasonable costs, and 2 CFR § 200.405, Allocable costs.
   • USAMRAA will allow recipients to charge full cost of cancellation when the event, travel, or other activities are conducted under the auspices of the grant.
   • Recipients should not assume additional funds will be available should the charging of cancellation or other fees result in a shortage of funds to eventually carry out the event or travel.
   • Recipients are required to maintain appropriate records and cost documentation as required by2 CFR § 200.302 - Financial management and 2 CFR § 200.333 Retention requirement of records, to substantiate the charging of any cancellation or other fees related to interruption of operations or services.

Posted on 3/25/2020:

Department of the Navy – Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)

NAVSEA COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR INDUSTRY

1. NAVSEA continues to emphasize performance, particularly completion of mission essential and emergency tasks by both government and industry.  We are making every effort to carry on business as usual, including contract negotiations, contract awards, and contract administration functions such as billing, invoicing and payments.

Posted on 3/24/2020:

Frequently Asked Questions for DOD Research Proposers and Awardees Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- https://basicresearch.defense.gov/COVID-19/Frequently-Asked-Questions/

1. Can I get reimbursed for costs incurred due to travel cancelled because of COVID-19?   The DOD will allow nonrefundable travel expenses incurred for travel canceled due to COVID-19 to be charged to active awards in agreement with OMB Memorandum M-20-17.  Grantees must follow applicable institution policy on allowable expenses for travel.
2. Can I continue to charge salaries and benefits to currently-active awards for personnel who would normally be paid out of the award (e.g., graduate students, principal investigators, and postdoctoral researchers)?  Based on OMB Memorandum M-20-17 and the uniform guidance (2 CFR 200.403, 2 CFR 200.404, 2 CFR 200.405), the DOD will allow recipients to continue to charge salaries and benefits to currently-active awards consistent with the recipients’ policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, federal and non-federal.  DOD components may allow other costs to be charged to federal awards necessary to continue work on a project even if in a period where primary research activities are limited or curtailed.  To the maximum extent practicable, recipients will be expected to invoke or institute any and all reasonable mitigation actions and practices to lessen the cost to the government during the crisis period.  Such actions may be part of an existing program created by the recipient or may be created to respond to this crisis.  Appropriate records and cost documentation must continue to be updated and maintained as required by 2 CFR 200.302 - Financial management and 2 CFR 200.333 - Retention requirement of records.
3. COVID-19 closures have delayed my work. Can I receive a no-cost extension on my active award?  It is DOD policy that no-cost extensions must be supported in all possible cases.  However, please be aware that funding expiration statutes may prohibit extensions.  Please contact the DOD grants manager for award-specific guidance.

Posted on 3/19/2020:

USAMRAA’s COVID-19 FAQs for Grant Recipients -- publishing information on flexibilities for organizations funded by USAMRAA to conduct research on COVID-19 along with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on other administrative flexibilities whose operations have been adversely impacted in the emergency response related to COVID-19.

1. The DoD Research & Development (R&D) General Terms and Conditions provide the recipient the authority to extend the period of performance one time for up to 12 months beyond the original completion date down stated in the award document.
2. I am an investigator on a USAMRAA-funded award that includes travel to a meeting/conference, but the meeting/conference has been canceled. Who do I contact regarding the impact to the USAMRAA award? You should contact the cognizant USAMRAA grants official named in the award document to alert them to the situation. Also, copy the program official to ensure all appropriate federal staff are aware of the circumstances.
3. A conference has been canceled, but I have nonrefundable travel, registration, and/or hotel costs. Can these be charged to a USAMRAA grant? USAMRAA is currently working within DoD as well as with our federal partners on a number of proposal and award-related issues pertaining to COVID-19. We will communicate with the about these issues through updated FAQs as further information becomes available.
4. (a) My organization is open, but I am quarantined for a period of time. There is an application submission deadline during my quarantine period and some essential materials are in my office. I am the PI. Can my organization receive an extension to the deadline? (b) My organization has asked staff to stay home for an undetermined period of time. How would I petition for an extension of an application deadline? There are currently no plans to modify existing application deadline dates but please continue to monitor Grants.gov for any potential change(s) to an application deadline.
5. My position is funded through an USAMRAA award. The university will officially close until further notice as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Can the USAMRAA award be used to pay my employment costs? The Department of Defense (DoD) will only allow recipients to charge salaries and benefits to currently active awards for work actually performed to meet the project activities, regardless of the location where those duties are performed (i.e., telework eligible). Some allowable activities may include -- e.g., data analysis, preparation of articles and papers based on the analysis of the research findings, monitoring subrecipients, care of research animals, direct charged administrative costs, etc. Additionally, such charges to the award should only be made when the work is performed within the recipient organization’s policies for allowable remote/telework and/or emergency

CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS (CDMRP)

Pre-Application deadline extension for the CDMRP ALSRP, ARP and OCRP

1. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program (ALSRP), Autism Research Program (ARP), and Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) have extended the pre-application submission deadline. The extension is for all applicants. Requests for further extensions to the new pre-application submission deadlines will not be accepted. The FY20 ALSRP released funding opportunities on January 17, 2020. The FY20 ARP and FY20 OCRP released funding opportunities on February 27, 2020.

Posted on 4/01/2020:

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) -- IES in a Time of Pandemic

1. NCER's Erin Higgins provides some useful guidance, and Ed Metz has summarized lots of lessons learned from the Tech Expo IES organized in January. In a new blog, Ed highlights games and technologies appropriate across different age spans and across a wide range of educational topics, such as for early learning, STEM, reading, and social studies. These technologies—many of which IES has funded through our Small Business Innovation Research grant program—are available for free through the end of the school year.
2. Many of our grantees are also doing their part to offer activities for students with or at risk for disabilities. For example, Sarah Powell has many resources for teaching math available on her website, and her math tutoring for word problems is available now for free. Grantees Jill Allor and Stephanie Al'Otaiba have shared free resources for early readers. And Kara Hume and her team have shared a free toolkit to help families and caregivers supporting individuals with autism during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Posted on 3/23/2020:

Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Grantee Update #2: Guidance on Short Term Administrative Relief for Grantees Impacted by COVID-19

Notice for Grant Recipients: Until further notice, unless otherwise specifically stated below, OJP is suspending the requirements for grant recipients to seek prior approval and to process Grant Adjustment Notices (GAN) in relation to the items discussed below that would normally require prior approval and/or a GAN. Grantees should maintain a copy of this guidance with any other appropriate records and cost documentation in their grant files.

• Note: Cooperative Agreements: While cooperative agreement recipients may benefit from the administrative flexibilities outlined below, OJP is still requiring prior approval and Grant Adjustment Notices (GANS) for any cost or project changes related to cooperative agreement awards.

Allowability of costs not normally chargeable to awards:

1. OJP will allow recipients who incur costs related to the cancellation of events, travel, or other activities necessary and reasonable for the performance of the award (e.g., the costs of providing telework equipment to employees who are working on the award), or the pausing and restarting of grant-funded activities due to the public health emergency, to charge these costs to their award.
   • OJP will allow recipients to charge full cost of cancellation when the event, travel, or other activities are conducted under the auspices of the grant. In cases where charging of cancellation or other costs results in insufficient funds to eventually carry out the event or travel, please contact your grant manager to discuss possible alternatives or changes to the scope of the project, if feasible.

2. Allowability of salaries and other project costs: OJP will allow recipients to continue to charge salaries and benefits to their awards consistent with the recipients’ policy of paying salaries and benefits under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances from all funding sources (Federal and non-Federal).

3. Award extensions:; In accordance with the Part 200 Uniform Requirements (2 C.F.R. Part 200, as adopted by DOJ) and consistent with the DOJ Grants Financial Guide, most OJP awards may be eligible for one no-cost extension of up to 12 months. If the grant has previously received a no-cost extension and an additional extension will be requested due to the extenuating circumstances occurring in connection with the public health emergency, refer to the DOJ Grants Financial Guide for additional information and consult with your grant manager as needed. Requests for no-cost extensions will be processed via a Grant Adjustment Notice (GAN). Please contact your grant manager as soon as practicable to submit your request.

   • Please note that awards funded by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) (or any other OJP bureau/program office) under the provisions of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984, are available during the federal fiscal year of the award, plus the following three fiscal years. OVC and other OJP bureaus/program offices have no discretion to permit extensions of any award’s period of performance beyond the statutory period.

Posted on 3/17/2020:

Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Grantee Update #1 COVID-19 Impacts

1. Department of Justice is moving to a posture of maximum telework in the National Capital Region.
2. Office of Justice Programs (OJP) staff will work remotely and will be available to assist grantees, stakeholders, and the public during this period. All OJP systems and services will be available.
3. Grant Payments: The Grants Payment Request System (GPRS) will remain in service to accept and process grant payment requests.
4. Programmatic and financial monitoring: Until otherwise notified, all planned on-site monitoring will be conducted as remote monitoring or postponed for a later date.

Posted on 3/30/2020:

NOT-FD-20-019: FDA - Flexibilities Available to Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19  -- This Notice is to alert the community of administrative flexibilities that will apply to FDA applicants and recipients.

The following requirements detail flexibilities that FDA is offering during this Public Health Emergency:

Cost Related Flexibilities/Expenditure of Award Funds -- Reminder: Recipients should not assume additional funds will be available should the charging of cancellation or other fees result in a shortage of funds to eventually carry out the event or travel. Recipients must maintain appropriate records and cost documentation as required by 2 CFR § 200.302 -Financial management and 2 CFR § 200.333 -Retention requirement of records to substantiate the charging of any salaries and other project activities costs related to interruption of operations or services.

1.  Salaries:  If a recipient organization’s policy (recipients' policy of paying salaries under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) allows for the charging of salaries and benefits during periods when no work is performed due to the effect of COVID-19, regardless of the funding source, including Federal and non-Federal, then such charges to FDA grant awards will be allowable.  FDA may request documentation to confirm the requirements of institutional policies.
2. Travel:  Non-refundable costs associated with grant-related travel that has been cancelled due to COVID-19 may be charged to the FDA award if they would have otherwise been allowable.
3. Conference Registration Fees:  Non-refundable registration fees for conferences, symposiums or seminars that have been cancelled due to COVID19 may be charged to the FDA award if they would have otherwise been allowable (e.g. necessary to accomplish program objectives).
4. FDA-Supported Meetings and Conferences:  Scientific meetings, conferences and workshops supported by FDA funding may be delayed or cancelled due to COVID-19. Non-refundable costs associated with FDA supported meetings and conferences affected by COVID-19 may be charged to the FDA award if they would have otherwise been allowable.

Posted on 04/03/2020: 

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

Administrator's message to HRSA grant recipients -- On March 19, 2020, OMB issued Memorandum M-20-17, Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations. When compared to OMB’s March 9, 2020, Memorandum (M-20-11), the newer memorandum provides similar administrative relief but to an expanded scope of recipients.

To ease the programmatic difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, HRSA is integrating all 13 of the administrative flexibilities provided in the latest OMB memorandum.

So you have information as quickly as possible, we developed a list of Frequently Asked Questions  that addresses the OMB flexibilities.

COVID-19 Grantee Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can we use grant funds to pay salaries for staff on the budget who are not in the office due to closures because of COVID-19?
   • Yes. Per guidance issued by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memo M-20-11 and M-20-17, HRSA recipients may continue to charge salaries and benefits to currently active awards consistent with their organization's policy of paying salaries under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances from all funding sources, federal and non-federal. 
2. Can we charge cancellation fees due to COVID-19 to the grant, such as air tickets, hotels, rental car, conference expenses?
   • Yes. Per guidance issued by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memo M-20-17, HRSA recipients may charge full cost of cancellation when the event, travel, or other activities are conducted under the auspices of the grant. Recipients should not assume that additional funds will be available should the charging of cancellation or other fees result in a shortage of funds to eventually carry out the event or travel.
3. Recipients must maintain appropriate records and cost documentation as required by 45 CFR § 75.302 - Financial management and standards for financial management systems and 45 CFR § 75.361 - Retention requirement for records to substantiate the charging of any cancellation or other fees related to interruption of operations or services.

Posted on 3/31/2020:

Administration for Children & Families

IM-ACF-OA-2020-01: ACF grant flexibilities in conducting human service activities related to or affected by COVID-19 The Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

1. Flexibility with application deadlines -- To the extent permitted by law and at the respective Program Office’s discretion, ACF will consider no-cost extension requests for awards active as of March 31, 2020, and scheduled to expire up to December 31, 2020, for a period of up to twelve (12) months. This will allow time for grantee/recipient assessments, resumption of individual projects, and a report on program progress and financial status to ACF staff.
2. Allowability of salaries and other project activities --  ACF will allow grantees/recipients to continue to charge salaries and benefits to their currently active awards consistent with the grantees/recipients' policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal. Grantees/recipients will be permitted to amend/create emergency policies in order to put emergency contingencies in place. ACF will allow other allowable costs (e.g., program-related, allocable, reasonable) that are necessary to resume activities supported by the award to be charged to their awards, consistent with applicable Federal cost principles and the benefit to the project.
3. Allowability of Costs not Normally Chargeable to Awards -- ACF will allow grantees/recipients who incur costs related to the cancellation of events, travel, and/or other activities necessary and reasonable for the performance of the award, or the pausing and restarting of grant funded activities due to the public health emergency, to charge these costs to their award without regard to allowability of costs, reasonable costs, and allocable costs. ACF will allow grantees/recipients to charge the full cost of cancellation when the event, travel, and/or other activities are conducted under the auspices of the grant.
4. Grantees/recipients should not assume additional funds will be available should the charging of cancellation or other fees result in a shortage of funds to eventually carry out the event, travel, and/or other activities.

Posted on 3/23/2020:

Additional Extension for NASA SBIR/STTR Program Proposals: 4/20/20, 5 pm ET -- The NASA SBIR/STTR Program has been closely monitoring the situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). After careful deliberations, we are providing an additional extension for Phase I proposals. The new deadline is Monday, April 20, 2020 at 5 pm ET.

Posted on 3/19/2020:

Message from National Endowment for Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter – references FAQ’s and keeping them updated, you can find them here: https://www.arts.gov/COVID-19-FAQs

1. The Arts Endowment is administratively extending the due date for submission of final report material for all grantees who have yet to submit their final reports for the 3/30/2020 deadline. This extension is for grants with periods of performance that ended on 12/31/2019. The new deadline for submission of final reports will be 5/31/2020.
2. Will the upcoming2020 application deadlinesbe changed? No. The National Endowment for the Arts will continue to accept grant applications at our published deadlines. All applications are submitted electronically through systems that are unaffected by the COVID-19 situation.
3. We might have to cancel our grant project (or part of our grant project). What options are there?
   1. You can request a Period of Performance extension if you think you may be able to complete the project activities by a later end date.
   2. You also can request a change in the scope of the grant project.
   3. Depending on the change, you may be able to draw down funds for the costs and activities you’ve already completed.

Posted on 3/13/2020:

FAQs in Response to COVID-19

1. No change in 2020 application deadline or review schedule.

Awardees can request Period of Performance extension or Change in Scope if needed.

Posted on 3/30/2020:

Response from the NEH Office of Digital Humanities to Covid-19

1. The NEH is working to be flexible in response to your changing needs. If your award is still active, please review our agency-wide FAQs for detailed information about project changes, including new information about cancelling events, reimbursable costs, paying staff while proposed work plans may be changing, rebudgeting, and requesting extensions for award periods as well as for reports. 

Posted on 3/18/2020:

Extensions due to Covid-19 -- https://nifa.usda.gov/announcement/nifa-deadline-extensions-due-covid-19

1. AFRI
   • The following Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) application submission deadlines will be adjusted, as follows:
     • Previous deadline: March 19,New deadline:April 2
     • Previous deadline:March 26,New deadline:April 9
     • Previous deadline:April 2,New deadline:April 9
     • Previous deadline:April 9,New deadline: April 16
2. AREERA
   • Furthermore, NIFA has also extended the submission deadline for the 2021 Plan of Work for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) capacity funded projects and programs from April 1stto May 1st.
3. NIFA’s goal is to provide applicant institutions additional time as they work through any operational challenges within their institutions arising from COVID-19. Even with increased flexibilities for applicants, NIFA still recommends applicants submit their applications as soon as possible.
4. At this time, no other deadlines have been extended.

Posted on 3/19/2020

NIFA Deadline Extensions due to COVID-19 -- https://nifa.usda.gov/announcement/nifa-deadline-extensions-due-covid-19

1. Higher Education Challenge Grant Program
   Previous deadline: March 23,New deadline:April 2

• Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
  Previous deadline: March 19, New deadline: April 2

Posted on 3/30/2020:

NOT OD-20-091: NIH Late Application Policy Due to Public Health Emergency for United States for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

1. NIH understands that the emergency declaration related to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) will adversely affect many NIH applicants' ability to submit applications in a timely manner.  Therefore, all grant applications submitted late for due dates between March 9, 2020, and May 1, 2020, will be accepted through May 1, 2020.
2. This notice applies to all relevant funding opportunity announcements, including those that indicate no late applications will be accepted. Institutions need not request advance permission to submit late due to this declared emergency and a cover letter providing a justification is not required.

Posted on 3/27/2020

Dr. Mike Lauer, NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research, provides updates for the research community on flexibilities NIH is providing the community due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Watch the Video here.

Posted on 3/24/2020:

Fogarty/NIH update: Coronavirus (COVID-19) news, funding and resources for global health researchers

1. Resources for Researchers -- To support the global health research community, Fogarty has assembled a collection of news, funding and other resources on the novel coronavirus.
2. Latest Research News

Posted on 3/18/2020:

https://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/2020/03/13/covid-19-resources-for-applicants-and-recipients-of-nih-funding/

1. The NIH is deeply concerned for the health and safety of people involved in NIH research, and about the effects on the biomedical enterprise in the areas affected by theHHS declared public health emergency for COVID-19.This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we are aware that many institutions are taking a variety of “social distancing” measures, including switching to telework and cancelling or postponing classes and non-essential meetings.
2. Due to the potential exceptional impact of the declared public health emergency, we want to assure our recipient community that NIH will be doing our part to help you continue your research. Ourwebsite on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for NIH Applicants and Recipientshas a list of available resources.
3. The resources include links to NIH Guide Notices and FAQs as well as information provided by the CDC and the WHO. Among the CDC links areadvice for institutions of higher educationandadvice for mental health and coping.

Posted on 3/16/2020:

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients

1. Provides links to general COVID-19 sites for NIH, CDC, WHO, and NIH.

Posted on 3/12/2020:

NOT OD-20-086: Flexibilities Available to Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19

1. NIH is allowing pre-award costs to be incurred from 1/20/2020 through the public health emergency period and prior to the date of a federal award for all affected applicants.
2. Cost Related Flexibilities/Expenditure of Award Funds:
   • Salaries: NIH understands that many researchers may be unable to work as a result of or related to the effects of COVID-19. If a recipient organization’s policy allows for the charging of salaries and benefits during periods when no work is performed due to the effect of COVID-19, regardless of the funding source, including Federal and non-Federal, then such charges to NIH grant awards will be allowable. Reminder: NIH awarding Institutes/Centers (ICs) may request documentation to confirm the requirements of institutional policies.
   • Stipends: Institutions affected by COVID-19 may continue to provide stipend payments to fellows and trainees who may be unable to work as a result of or related to COVID-19. Recipients should notify the assigned grants management official, and provide documentation demonstrating the effect of COVID-19, and how long the institution will be affected.
   • Travel: Non-refundable costs associated with grant-related travel that has been cancelled due to COVID-19 may be charged to the NIH award if they would have otherwise been allowable.
   • Conference Registration Fees: Non-refundable registration fees for conferences, symposiums or seminars that have been cancelled due to COVID19 may be charged to the NIH award if they would have otherwise been allowable (e.g. necessary to accomplish program objectives).
   • NIH-Supported Meetings and Conferences: Scientific meetings, conferences and workshops supported by NIH funding may be delayed or cancelled due to COVID-19. Non-refundable costs associated with NIH supported meetings and conferences affected by COVID-19 are allowable and may be requested as an administrative supplement to the appropriate funding IC. Recipients should contact their assigned grants management specialist and program official to provide documentation demonstrating the effect of COVID-19. The funding institute or center will work with the recipient to address the impact on the NIH grant.
   • Additional cost-related flexibilities that are needed: NIH will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis.

Posted on 03/11/2020:

NOT-OD-20-082: LATE APPLICATION POLICY - Due to Public Health Emergency for United States for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). See more details.

1. NIH will consider accepting applications late -- When delays occur because the applicant or recipient organization is officially closed or unable to submit grant applications due to the effects of COVID-19

Posted 03/10/2020:

NOT-OD-20-083: General Frequently Asked Questions - Proposal Submission and Award Management Related to COVID-19Intended to address general questions associated with proposal submission and award management.

1. Reminder that the NIH Standard Terms of Award provide the recipient the authority to extend the final budget period of a previously approved project period one time for a period of up to 12 months beyond the original completion date down in the NoA.
2. Addresses the question: A conference has been canceled, but I have nonrefundable travel, registration, and/or hotel costs. Can these be charged to a NIH Conference or Travel grant?
   • NIH is currently working internally as well as with our federal partners on a number of proposal and award-related issues pertaining to COVID-19. NIH will communicate with the community about these issues and will provide guidance as further information becomes available. In the meantime, please continue to follow all relevant policies and procedures, including those of your organization, and apply those practices consistently.
3. NIH will consider accepting applications late, on a case-by-case basis.

Posted on 4/01/2020:

RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION IN A TIME OF DISRUPTION- Webinar – Jean Feldman, Head of Policy Office, Division of Institution and Award Support, starts discussing a federal agencies perspective (NSF) on COVID-19 at the 41:54 minute mark.  Please fast forward to the 41:54 minute mark in order to hear Jean’s NSF’s perspective.  It runs until about 1:01 time mark.

Revised April 1, 2020 NSF Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-17, entitled, “Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations” dated March 19, 2020

The purpose of this guidance is to implement flexibilities authorized by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-20-17 from specific administrative, financial management, and audit requirements contained in 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, without compromising accountability requirements.

NSF recipients are reminded of the requirement to maintain appropriate records and documentation necessary to support charges to NSF awards. Please note that, pursuant to OMB guidance, these administrative relief flexibilities are intended to be time limited. OMB plans to reassess their applicability within 90 days and NSF will update our guidance, as needed, at that time.

Except where noted below, the following flexibilities are applicable to NSF proposers and awardees affected by the loss of operational capacity and increased costs due to the COVID-19 crisis.

1. Flexibility with application deadlines. (2 CFR § 200.202) NSF has extended the deadline dates for specific funding opportunities. A listing of these extensions is available on the Foundation’s COVID-19 webpage. Deadline dates for funding opportunities that do not appear on the list remain unchanged.

2. No-cost extensions on expiring awards. (2 CFR § 200.308) Recipients must follow standard policies and procedures specified in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter VI.D.3, and applicable award conditions regarding submission of grantee and NSF-approved no-cost extensions.

3. Allowability of salaries and other project activities. (2 CFR § 200.403, 2 CFR § 200.404, 2 CFR § 200.405) Recipients are authorized to continue to charge salaries, stipends, and benefits to currently active NSF awards consistent with the recipients’ policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal.

   • The recipient also is authorized to charge other costs to NSF awards that are necessary to resume activities supported by the award, consistent with applicable Federal cost principles and the benefit to the project.

   • Recipients must not assume that supplemental funding will be available should the charging of such costs or other fees result in a shortage of funds to eventually carry out the project.

4. Allowability of Costs not Normally Chargeable to Awards. (2 CFR § 200.403, 2 CFR § 200.404, 2 CFR § 200.405) Recipients who incur costs related to the cancellation of events, travel, or other activities necessary and reasonable for the performance of the award, or the pausing and restarting of grant funded activities due to the public health emergency, are authorized to charge these costs to their award without regard to 2 CFR § 200.403

   • Recipients are required to maintain appropriate records and cost documentation as required by 2 CFR § 200.302

Posted on 3/25/2020:

Important information for current awardees and for PIs intending to submit a proposal to this year's S-STEM competition.  Please read this message in full.

Posted on 3/23/2020:

National Science Foundation has issued Important Notice No 146 to the Community Regarding COVID-19.

NSF has also issued additional guidance on NSF’s implementation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum (M-20-17).

1. No-cost extensions on expiring awards -- Recipients must follow standard policies and procedures specified in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter VI.D.3, and applicable award conditions regarding submission of grantee and NSF-approved no-cost extensions.
2. Abbreviated continuation requests -- For purposes of NSF, a continuation request consists of submission of the requisite annual project report in Research.gov, as well as any award specific requirements.
3. Allowability of salaries and other project activities-- Recipients are authorized to continue to charge salaries, stipends, and benefits to currently active NSF awards consistent with the recipients’ policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal.
4. Allowability of Costs not Normally Chargeable to Awards -- Recipients who incur costs related to the cancellation of events, travel, or other activities necessary and reasonable for the performance of the award, or the pausing and restarting of grant funded activities due to the public health emergency, are authorized to charge these costs to their award

Posted on 3/12/2020:

NSF website for the research community, entitled Information from NSF on Coronavirus

1. Provides Guidance on COVID-19 via links to USA.gov, CDC, Dept of State, and NSF. Provides links to RAPID Research on Coronavrius Dear Colleague letters, FAQs, and blog.

Posted 03/10/2020:

The NSF has published a FAQ page offering guidance to NSF proposers and awardees. See NSF 20-053 for details.

1. Impacts on proposals and existing NSF awards:
   • Reminder that all NSF awards are eligible for one-year grantee-approved no-cost extensions. Anything additional requires NSF approval.
   • Contact program officers regarding cancellations for NSF-funded conference or travel awards.
   • Late proposal submissions due to COVID-19 closures will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
   • Contact program officers regarding logistical issues related to REU sites.
2. Merit review panels
   • Contact program officer. NSF will be flexible about accommodating virtual participation.
   • Contact ADTRAV immediately to cancel any reservations

Posted on 3/24/2020:

OMB has released M-20-18, Managing Federal Contract Performance Issues Associated with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/M-20-18.pdf

1. If contractor personnel must be quarantined due to exposure to the virus, whether or not related to performance of the contract, and this action results in a slip in the contract schedule, may contracts be extended or otherwise altered? Yes. Government contracts provide for excusable delays, which may extend to quarantine restrictions due to exposure to COVID-19. For example, see FAR clauses 52.249-14, 52.212-4(±), and 52.211-13.
2. Are the special emergency procurement flexibilities of FAR§ 18.202 available for use in addressing requirements connected to COVID-19? Yes. The President has declared a national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus disease under the Stafford Act. As a result of this emergency declaration, the flexibilities identified in FAR§ 18.202, "Defense or recovery from certain events," are available for use in supporting response efforts to COVID-19. These flexibilities include increases to 5 the micro-purchase threshold, the simplified acquisition threshold, and the threshold for using simplified procedures for certain commercial items. Specifically- (!) The micro-purchase threshold is raised from $10,0001 to $20,000 for domestic purchases and to $30,000 for purchases outside the U.S.; (2) The simplified acquisition threshold is raised from $250,0002 to $750,000 for domestic purchases and $1. 5 million for purchases outside the U.S.; and (3) Agencies may use simplified acquisition procedures up to $13 million for purchases of commercial item buys.
3. How should agencies address requests for equitable adjustment associated with costs related to safety measures taken by contractors to protect their employees from COVID-19, including costs associated with performance disruptions caused by the government (e.g., closure of an office building) when performance doesn't allow for telework (e.g., work requires access to secure location, or involves building maintenance)? Requests for equitable adjustment should be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with existing agency practices, taking into account, among other factors, whether the requested costs would be allowable and reasonable to protect the health and safety of contract employees as part of the performance of the contract. The standard for what is "reasonable," according to FAR § 31.201-3, is what a prudent person would do under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost (e.g., did the contractor take actions consistent with CDC guidance; did the contractor reach out to the contracting officer or the contracting officer representative to discuss appropriate actions).

Posted on 3/23/2020:

OMB has released M-20-17, “Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations”: https://www.cogr.edu/institutional-and-agency-responses-covid-19-and-additional-resources

1. No-cost extensions on expiring awards -- To the extent permitted by law, awarding agencies may extend awards which were active as of March 31, 2020 and scheduled to expire prior or up to December 31, 2020, automatically at no-cost for a period of up to twelve (12) months.
2. Allowability of salaries and other project activities -- Awarding agencies may allow recipients to continue to charge salaries and benefits to currently active Federal awards consistent with the recipients' policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal.
3. Allowability of Costs not Normally Chargeable to Awards-- Awarding agencies may allow recipients who incur costs related to the cancellation of events, travel, or other activities necessary and reasonable for the performance of the award, or the pausing and restarting of grant funded activities due to the public health emergency, to charge these costs to their award without regard to 2 CFR § 200.403, Factors affecting allowability of costs, 2 CFR § 200.404 , Reasonable costs, and 2 CFR § 200.405 , Allocable costs.
4. Prior approval requirement waivers -- Awarding agencies are authorized to waive prior approval requirements as necessary to effectively address the response. All costs charged to Federal awards must be consistent with Federal cost policy guidelines and the terms of the award, except where specified in this memorandum.

Posted on 3/12/2020:

OMB M-20-11: Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies: Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

1. Awarding agencies may extend awards which are active as of 3/31/20 and scheduled to expire prior or up to 12/31/20
2. Awarding agencies may allow recipients to continue to charge salaries and benefits to currently active Federal Awards consistent with the recipient organization’s policy on paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal.
3. Agencies may allow other costs to be charged to Federal awards, including those necessary to resume activities supported by the award, consistent with application Federal cost principles and the benefit of the project.

Posted on 3/12/2020:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/M-20-17.pdf -- Federal awarding agencies are authorized to take the following actions, as they deem appropriate and to the extent permitted by law, with respect to the administrative provisions that apply to recipients grantees affected by the COVID-19 (for both recipients with COVID-19 related grants and other types of Federal grants). Awarding agencies are required to maintain records on the level of particular exceptions provided to recipients. For items 6 and 7, awarding agencies must require recipients to maintain appropriate records and documentation to support the charges against the Federal awards.

1. Flexibility with application deadlines. (2 CFR § 200.202) Awarding agencies may provide flexibility with regard to the submission of competing applications in response to specific announcements, as well as unsolicited applications. As appropriate, agencies should list specific guidance on their websites and/or provide a point of contact for an agency program official.
2. No-cost extensions on expiring awards. (2 CFR § 200.308) To the extent permitted by law, awarding agencies may extend awards which were active as of March 31, 2020 and scheduled to expire prior or up to December 31, 2020, automatically at nocost for a period of up to twelve (12) months. This will allow time for recipient assessments, the resumption of many individual projects, and a report on program progress and financial status to agency staff. Project-specific financial and performance reports will be due 90 days following the end date of the extension. Awarding agencies will examine the need to extend other project reporting as the need arises.
3. Allowability of salaries and other project activities. (2 CFR § 200.403, 2 CFR § 200.404, 2 CFR § 200.405) Awarding agencies may allow recipients to continue to charge salaries and benefits to currently active Federal awards consistent with the recipients' policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal. Awarding agencies may allow other costs to be charged to Federal awards necessary to resume activities supported by the award, consistent with applicable Federal cost principles and the benefit to the project. Awarding agencies may also evaluate the grantee's ability to resume the project activity in the future and the appropriateness of future funding, as done under normal circumstancesbased on subsequent progress reports and other communications with the grantee. A warding agencies must require recipients to maintain appropriate records and cost documentation as required by 2 CFR § 200.302 - Financial management and 2 CFR § 200.333 - Retention requirement of records to substantiate the charging of any salaries and other project activities costs related to interruption of operations or services.
4. Allowability of Costs not Normally Chargeable to Awards. (2 CFR § 200.403, 2 CFR § 200.404, 2 CFR § 200.405) A warding agencies may allow recipients who incur costs related to the cancellation of events, travel, or other activities necessary and reasonable for the performance of the award, or the pausing and restarting of grant funded activities due to the public health emergency, to charge these costs to their award without regard to 2 CFR § 200.403, Factors affecting allowability of costs, 2 CFR § 200.404, Reasonable costs, and 2 CFR § 200.405, Allocable costs. Awarding agencies may allow recipients to charge full cost of cancellation when the event, travel, or other activities are conducted under the auspices of the grant. Awarding agencies must advise recipients that they should not assume additional funds will be available should the charging of cancellation or other fees result in a shortage of funds to eventually carry out the event or travel. A warding agencies must require recipients to maintain appropriate records and cost documentation as required by 2 CFR § 200.302 - Financial management and 2 CFR § 200.333 - Retention requirement of records, to substantiate the charging of any cancellation or other fees related to interruption of operations or services. As appropriate, awarding agencies may list additional guidance on specific types of costs on their websites and/or provide a point of contact for an agency program official.

Posted on 3/19/2020:

COVID-19 Impact on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Cycle 1 GO Proposal Deadline

• STScI, NASA, ESA, and CSA have decided to delay the proposal deadline for JWST Cycle 1 GO proposals tono earlier than May 27th2020.

Posted on 3/23/2020:

Notice to AHA Research Community re: COVID-19. The AHA has adopted flexible grants management policies in recent years and will expand that flexibility and support as much as possible.

1. Disruptions to Ongoing Research Projects
   • Inform AHA if your funded projects are placed on hold indefinitely. This could take the form of restrictions on human subject recruitment or visits with enrolled subjects, as well as inaccessibility to laboratories.
   • AHA will support interim-year carryover requests due to suspension of research projects and allow rebudgeting.
2. Reporting -- The AHA is not extending these deadlines at this time.
3. Award Extensions and Salary Expenditures During Work Stoppage
   • No-cost-extensions (NCE) are available as always. Please submit a Change Request in Grants@Heart. Awards currently on NCE may qualify for additional extensions.
   • AHA will also allow payment of salaries on grants and fellowships for up to 60 days without pre-approval during periods of work stoppage. Should inability to conduct research exceed 60 days, please contact AHA.
4. Expenditures Related to Cancelled Travel
   • Unrefunded charges (conference registration, airline ticket, etc.) incurred with the intent to attend a scientific conference that was subsequently cancelled can be charged to an AHA grant.

Posted on 03/25/2020:

COVID-19 Outreach to Arnold Ventures Criminal Justice Grantees

1. We deeply appreciate the way that so many of our grantees have risen to the challenge of this moment.
2. Let us know if the circumstances of the COVID-19 crisis pose particular challenges in terms of your fulfillment of the obligations under your Arnold Ventures grant.
3. In the coming weeks, the Arnold Ventures team member managing your grant will be making personal contact with each of our grantees to see if there are ways that we can further support your work. 

Posted on 03/26/2020:

Support for CRCF Award Recipients

1. CIT and the CRCF team continue to provide program support for award recipients without interruption in response to COVID-19.
2. FY20 solicitation is on track for award announcements in early June.
3. While no action is required immediately, know that we will work with you should you need project modifications, such as extending a report due date or the period of performance.

Posted on 3/19/2020:

A Letter to Virginia's Innovation, Research, and Entrepreneurial Communities Regarding CIT's COVID-19 Response

1. Program Continuity -- All of our programs continue to operate as usual, albeit through virtual means. I want to share information on individual programs at this time.
2. We remain on schedule to announce the FY2020 CRCF awards in June.
3. Virginia Unmanned Systems Center @ CIT - Virginia Unmanned Systems Center @ CIT - Participation in future meetings will be 100% virtual for the foreseeable future. CIT and our partners remain committed to our Virginia showcase pavilion at AUVSI Xponential. The event has been rescheduled to August 2020.
4. SBIR/STTR Federal Funding Programs - We are working with the appropriate organizations to reschedule the March 24 SBIR/STTR Project Management event and the April 14 SBIR Road Show. We will provide new information as it is available.

Posted on 04/02/2020:

COGR has developed a number of resources as an ongoing response to COVID-19’s Impact to Federal Awards.  We encourage you to visit this site and review the information.

1. A Federal Agency Guidance Matrix with several major grant-making agencies that will be updated weekly as additional guidance becomes available.  The information is current as of 3/31. 

Posted on 03/23/2020 and 03/12/2020:

FAQs Regarding COVID-19's Impact on Federal Awards and Institutional and Agency Responses to COVD-19 and Additional Resources

1. Numerous links concerning COVID-19

Posted on 03/25/2020: 

Message from the Executive Director, icddr,b on the Covid-19 pandemic

1. Of significant concern, is icddr,b’s ability to maintain its scientific capacity going forward, and remain a viable research organization, supporting health and development research in the Global South. For icddr,b this is dependent on activity-based, donor research funding, which accounts for the overwhelming majority of our total annual budget and is also critical for sustaining research support services.

Posted on 03/19/2020:

A Message to Our Grantees and Applicants on COVID-19

1. If you have an approved proposal but do not have a signed grant agreement, please contact your program team member if you would like to revise the start date or request a revised project timeline. We are willing to be as flexible as we can in adjusting start dates and timelines. If we do not hear from you, we will continue to process grant agreements in accord with what was requested in the proposal materials.
2. Please note that it is easier for us to make adjustments to projects prior to signing the grant agreement. Once you begin your project activities and spend grant funds, we will have much less flexibility to consider no-cost extensions.
3. We are willing to work with you to consider your requests to revise budgets, change outputs and adjust project timelines.

Posted on 03/24/2020:

Extended Community Service Grant Deadline

1. In light of current events, the Massage Therapy Foundation is extending its 2020 Community Service Grant application deadline to May 1, 2020.

Posted on 03/13/2020:

A Message to Our Grantees and Partners about COVID-19

1. Continuing uninterrupted. Grant payments and proposal reviews as usual.
2. Flexibility for COVID-19 impact on awards.

Posted on 03/19/2020:

1. Application Deadline Extended: Tuesday, April 7, 2020 12:00 PM, US Eastern Time

Posted on 03/19/2020:

A message to our grantees

1. We intend to be as flexible and understanding as possible when it comes to your work.
2. Please do not worry on our account about delays caused by the pandemic.
3. You do not need to take any special steps to alert us to problems you are having, but rather can describe the changes in your next regularly scheduled report.
4. We have decided to keep our next deadline for letters of inquiry at May 6