Posted on 4/21/2020:

CDC continues to expand the COVID-19 resources for applicants and recipients of CDC funding on the external Grants site. The new CDC guidance outlines the ways CDC is approaching each of the OMB flexibilities to best support the work of applicants and recipients. This guidance applies to awards from CDC and ATSDR. These time-limited administrative flexibilities will help recipients and applicants manage administrative, financial management, and audit requirements.

Posted on 4/17/2020:

DOD Allows Payments to Contractors Who Cannot Work Due to COVID-19 Facility Closures or Other Restrictions

Implementation Guidance for Section 3610 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

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Consistent with OMB Memorandum M-20-17, for a 90-day period starting March 19, 2020 or until extended or rescinded by OMB.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 basic 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 6/8/2020:

Office of Postsecondary Education

The FAQ for Non-CARES Act Competitive Grant Programs Administered by the Office of Postsecondary Education in Response to COVID-19 is available here: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/ope-covid19-faq.pdf

Posted on 4/23/2020:

Letter to Grantees - Request for Project Updates

Posted on 4/8/2020:

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will IES provide for an extension to my award if the planned activities are disrupted by the COVID-19?
   • Most IES awards are eligible for a one-year no cost extension and then further extensions as approved by IES. If you foresee a need for IES-approved extensions, you should discuss the need with the IES program officer for your award.
2. What would you advise regarding reimbursement for any expenses related to participant cancelation?
   • If the meeting or training is not rescheduled, you must first try to exercise any emergency or "act of God" provisions to the extent possible in light of the COVID-19 outbreak before charging the cost of the event and travel cancellation to the grant.

Posted on 4/1/2020:

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 6/25/2020:

The DOE issued a notice on 6/22/2020, addressing ARPA-E Guidance for Non-Productive Labor Charges Attributable to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. This notice outlines guidelines to be followed if labor costs are being claimed, as well as additional information to be provided at the time invoices are submitted to ARPA-E.

Posted on 6/3/2020:

DOE’s current guidance for grantees and grant applicants is available at https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2020/03/f72/doe-sc-accommodating-interruptions-to-applicants-awardees-due-to-covid-19.pdf

DOE’s COVID-19 website is at https://www.energy.gov/coronavirus-hub.

Posted on 4/14/2020:

The Department of Energy issued the guidance implementing OMB Memorandum M-20-17, click here.

1. No-cost extensions on expiring awards. (2 CFR § 200.308) -- Recipients must notify the CO if it is utilizing the regulatory authorities in 2 CFR 200.308(d)(2) to implement a no-cost extension to its award. The CO will then issue a modification to the award to change the expiration date. COs are authorized to provide no-cost extensions to current awards which were active as of March 31, 2020 and scheduled to expire on or before December 31, 2020. COs are also authorized to extend awards for which recipients have already utilized the one-time extension provided in 2 CFR 200.308(d)(2). A determination for non-competitive federal financial assistance as required by 2 CFR 910.126 will not be required for any no-cost extensions due to the COVID-19 crisis. COs are reminded to properly document the award when making the modifications to the expiration date.
2. 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 DOE awards consistent with the recipients’ policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal. The recipient is authorized to charge other costs to DOE 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.
   • If a funding shortfall is anticipated, recipients must contact the cognizant DOE CO to address the situation. DOE will evaluate the recipient’s ability to resume the project activity in the future and the appropriateness of future funding, as done under normal circumstances—based on subsequent project reports and other communications with the recipient.
   • Recipients are required to maintain appropriate records and cost documentation as required by 2 CFR § 200.302

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 6/3/2020:

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

HRSA has announced it will implement all 13 administrative flexibilities for grant recipients outlined in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo from March 19. The flexibilities are further explained in an FAQ released by the agency, available at https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/manage-your-grant/COVID-19-frequently-asked-questions.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) • SAMHSA released an FAQ for current grantees on award management flexibilities during the COVID-19 epidemic, including reporting flexibilities, no cost extensions, budget modifications, and more. Please refer to: https://www.samhsa.gov/coronavirus.

Posted on 4/10/2020:

AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY (AHRQ)

Flexibilities Available to AHRQ Recipients and Applicants Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Due to Loss of Operations

1. No-cost extensions on expiring awards. (2 CFR § 200.308)
   • AHRQ recipients are to follow standard procedures for either notifying AHRQ of one-time no-cost extensions of up to 12 months for grants that are awarded under expanded authorities, or requesting prior approval for no-cost extensions of grants that are not awarded under expanded authorities. The most recent Notice of Award will indicate whether or not a particular award is under expanded authorities. Please refer to AHRQ’s FAQs for details: https://info.ahrq.gov/search?q=&category=8.
2. Abbreviated non-competitive continuation requests. (2 CFR § 200.308)
   • AHRQ recipients are to follow standard procedures and due dates for submitting complete Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) to request non-competing continuation support. At this point in time, it is AHRQ’s understanding that all FY2020 Appropriated funds will need to be awarded before September 30, 2020, therefore delays in receipt of RPPRs could delay processing and jeopardize recipient receipt of funding in FY2020. However, AHRQ will consider requests for reasonable extensions of RPPR due dates on a case-by-case basis; please contact the Grants Management Specialist named on the most recent NOA.
3. Allowability of salaries and other project activities. (2 CFR § 200.403, 2 CFR § 200.404, 2 CFR § 200.405)
   • AHRQ will allow recipients to continue to charge salaries and benefits to currently active AHRQ awards consistent with the recipients' policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal.
   • AHRQ 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.
   • AHRQ 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.
   • AHRQ requires 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)
   • AHRQ 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 allowability of costs, 2 CFR § 200.404, Reasonable costs, and 2 CFR § 200.405, Allocable costs.
   • AHRQ will allow recipients to charge full cost of cancellation when the event, travel, or other activities are conducted under the auspices of the grant.
   • Note: It is expected that recipients will attempt to have cancellation fees waived under any flexibilities vendors are allowing due to COVID-19.
   • AHRQ advises 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. AHRQ requires 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.

Posted on 4/3/2020:

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 6/1/2020:

STScI, NASA, ESA and CSA have decided to delay announcing a formal schedule for JWST Cycle 1 GO/AR proposals. We anticipate providing a further update on the schedule in mid- to late-July. For planning purposes, STScI is exploring options for a proposal deadline in the fall with the Telescope Allocation Committee meeting in early 2021. The JWST launch schedule is evaluated independently by NASA.

Recognising the challenges faced by the community, we will give at least twelve (12) weeks notice of the revised Cycle 1 proposal deadline. The JWST Call remains open and all proposal preparation tools and documentation continue to be available. Please contact the jwst helpdesk if you have any questions.

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 6/3/2020:

1. On May 26, NIFA released its guidance responding directly to the OMB memo on research relief, including specifics on extensions and salaries and other costs, which can be found here: https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-20-006-implementation-omb-memo-m-20-17.
2. On May 26, USDA released additional updates to its Grants FAQ document, available here:https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-20-005-nifa-coronavirus-faqs.
3. On April 16, the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Dr. Scott Angle, and members of his staff held a webinar on FAQs relating to COVID-19.
   • Presenters stressed that NIFA is routinely updating guidance, extending deadlines, and accepting proposals for COVID-19 research.
   • Topics covered in the webinar included no cost-extensions; information on salaries and project activities; allowability of costs due to COVID-19 impact on research; and procurement requirements, among others.
   • Slides from the webinar can be found here: https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/webinar-clarify-answers-covid-19-faqs

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 9/15/2020

On September 11, 2020, the NIH provided guidance on criteria supporting the direct charge of PPE to certain NIH grants.  Specifically, it applies to clinical trial and/or clinical research grants as defined in the NIH GPS.  Please refer to: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-164.html

Posted on 6/29/2020

On 6/25/2020, the NIH released its guidance document in response to the issuance of OMB memo M-20-26, which extends certain administrative relief for grant recipients and applicants due to COVID-19.

1. 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 and benefits to active NIH awards consistent with the recipients' policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal. NIH continues to authorize recipients to charge other costs to NIH awards necessary to resume activities supported by the award, consistent with applicable Federal cost principles and the benefit to the project.

Recipients must exhaust other available funding sources to sustain its workforce and implement necessary steps to save overall operational costs (such as rent renegotiations) during this pandemic period in order to preserve NIH funds for the ramp-up effort.

Recipients are reminded of their responsibility to maintain appropriate records and cost documentation.

This flexibility is time limited and will expire on September 30, 2020.

Posted on 6/15/2020:

NIH is issuing this Notice to highlight the need for and value of data harmonization and data sharing specifically in the context of urgent competitive revisions and administrative supplements producing data to investigate the social, behavioral, economic, and health impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency.

Special Exception to the NIH/AHRQ/NIOSH Post-Submission Material Policy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

For applications submitted for the January 2021 council (beginning with applications submitted for the May 25, 2020 due date for Fall 2020 review meetings), the NIH, AHRQ, and NIOSH will accept a one-page update with preliminary data as post-submission materials for applications submitted under all activity codes, ONLY if the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) used for submission allowed preliminary data in the application. One page of preliminary data will be accepted for single component applications or for each component of a multi-component application.

The deadline for submitting all post-submission materials, including preliminary data, will be 30 days before the study section meeting. Because applications for emergency competitive revisions and urgent competitive revisions undergo expedited review, post-submission materials will not be accepted for those applications.

All other materials listed in NOT-OD-19-083 as acceptable post-submission materials will continue to be accepted if submitted 30 days before the study section meeting.

Posted on 4/17/2020:

Roundup of New COVID-19 Resources for NIH Applicants and Recipients: Part 2 --- NIH continues to add new resources to the COVID-19: Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients of NIH Funding webpage. Many new and updated FAQs on training grants and career development awards, certificates of confidentiality, and registration requirements for application submission.

Posted on 4/13/2020:

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

Numerous topics covered such as:

1. Proposal Submission & Award Management
2. Human Subjects & Clinical Trials
3. Animal Welfare
4. Peer Review

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 3/11/2020:

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 3/10/2020:

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 7/2/2020:

NOAA has updated guidance that provides additional extensions in response to the OMB Memorandum M-20-26. The guidance is accessible at: https://www.noaa.gov/organization/acquisition-grants/news/health-and-safety-information-for-financial-assistance  

1. Allowability of salaries and other project activities (item 6 in M-20-17) through September 30, 2020 (See Item 1 in NOAA Guidance Regarding 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 27, 2020)

Posted on 4/17/2020:

Health and Safety Information for Financial Assistance Recipients during COVID-19

NOAA and OMB provide guidance to financial assistance recipients during COVID-19

1. Allowability of salaries and other project activities. (2 CFR § 200.403, 2 CFR § 200.404, 2 CFR § 200.405) NOAA will permit 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. NOAA 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.
   • NOAA may also evaluate the recipient'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 recipient.
   • 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. NOAA does not require prior approval requests to be submitted to authorize these costs.
2. No-cost extensions on expiring awards. (2 CFR § 200.308) To the extent permitted by law, NOAA may extend awards which were active as of March 31, 2020 and scheduled to expire prior or up to December 31, 2020, for a period of up to twelve (12) months.
   • Award recipients should initiate and submit no-cost extension requests in Grants Online no later than 30 days prior to period of performance end date (or, for research awards, no later than 10 days prior to period of performance end date for first time requests).

Posted on 6/25/2020:

The Foundation has issued guidance on NSF’s implementation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum (M-20-26), entitled, Extension of Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations. 

Posted on 6/3/2020:

The 2020 NSF Proposal and Award Policy and Procedures Guide will go into effect as planned on June 1. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NSF is delaying until October 1 implementation of the new requirement to use NSF-approved formats for the biographical sketch and current and pending support sections of proposals. Other new requirements and changes will continue to go into effect June 1.

NSF is regularly updating their coronavirus website with FAQs. It is available at https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/coronavirus/.

Posted on 4/10/2020:

The Foundation has issued guidance on NSF’s implementation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum (M-20-20), entitled, Repurposing Existing Federal Financial Assistance Programs and Awards to Support the Emergency Response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). NSF remains committed to working with the Administration, other federal agencies, and the research community to effectively respond to the COVID-19 national emergency. This guidance is to implement the flexibility class exception authorized by OMB Memorandum M-20-20 that allows Federal awarding agencies to repurpose their Federal assistance awards (in whole or part) to support the COVID-19 response, as consistent with applicable laws. This will certainly help address questions that recipients may have regarding the donation of items/resources from NSF awards.

Posted on 4/1/2020:

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 3/10/2020:

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 4/10/2020:

1. NSA intends to make full use of the flexibilities provided by Section 3610 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law on 27 March 2020.
2. The guidance provided with this announcement (the released documents "Invoicing Information for Contractors under CARES Act" and "NSA CARES Act FAQs") is this Agency's implementation based on information available at this time, and is subject to change as more guidance from OMB and DoD becomes available. Invoicing in accordance with the released instructions for CARES Act assistance shall be followed and are intended to supplement existing contractual invoicing instructions. NSA does not plan to issue a block modification to reflect the invoicing changes associated with CARES Act invoices.
3. Invoicing may begin 10 April 2020.
4. Please access the ARC for the necessary documents and additional information.
5. There are two ways to access the UNCLASSIFIED document:
   • 1. ACCESS VIA NSANET:
     • If you have access to the classified NSAnet you may view the information by entering keyword GO ARC and navigating to NEWS.
   • 2. ACCESS VIA ARCnet PKI:
     • If you have an account with ARCnet PKI and a valid DoD PKI certificate, logon via www.nsaarc.net/arcnetpki/Login and navigate to NEWS.
6. Due to the highly sensitive nature of NSA acquisitions, ARC staff is not authorized to distribute documents and/or media by any means other than those listed above.

Posted on 6/22/2020:

Extension of Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations

The OMB announced last week an extension of item 1, Allowability of salaries and other project activities (item 6 in M-20-17) through September 30, 2020 and item 2, Extension of Single Audit submission (item 13 in M-20-17) through December 31 , 2020 to allow a responsible transition to normal operations. All flexibilities provided in this memorandum are time limited and will expire on September 30, 2020. M-20-17 and M-20-20 are rescinded. M-20-11 expires on July 26, 2020.

The OMB added restrictions to the flexibilities allowed in item 1, Allowability of salaries and other project activities. Appendix A describes the two flexibilities extended under this memorandum to recipients affected by the loss of operational capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Posted on 4/10/2020:

OMB released M-20-21, Implementation Guidance for Supplemental Funding Provided in Response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Administration is committed to the rapid delivery of COVID-19 relief funds and response efforts. In the Government’s efforts to deploy crucial resources to the American public we must also consider the proper management and accountability to help safeguard American taxpayer dollars.

OMB is committed to providing user friendly means to agencies and recipients to fulfill the reporting requirements in sections 15010 and 15011 of the CARES Act, and to leveraging existing technology to do so. This Memorandum directs agencies to leverage and continue to employ existing financial transparency and accountability mechanisms wherever possible. Accurately recording and tracking funding for awards made under the new relief legislation is essential to providing relief to citizens and businesses, facilitating oversight, and creating accountability for results.

Posted on 4/9/2020:

OMB has released M-20-20: Repurposing Existing Federal Financial Assistance Programs and Awards to Support the Emergency Response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As our response to the national emergency for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to evolve, OMB issued a third memorandum (in accordance with the authority in 2 CFR § 200.102(a), Exceptions) to provide a class exception that allows Federal awarding agencies to repurpose their Federal assistance awards (in whole or part) to support the COVID-19 response, as consistent with applicable laws. This exception includes the donation of medical equipment and supplies purchased with Federal funds and repurposing of funds to COVID-19 related activities.

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 9/9/2020:

Per a recommendation of the JWST User Committee (JSTUC), proposers may request an extension of the proposal deadline to 8PM Eastern time on December 3, 2020 if they are faced with unexpected events that occur shortly before the primary deadline, 8PM Eastern time on November 24, 2020.  These extensions are designed to “level the playing field” for those impacted adversely by changing circumstances close to the deadline. Most proposers are expected to conform to the nominal schedule. 

Details on the qualifying criteria and the process for requesting an extension are given in the Late Breaking News section of the JWST Cycle 1 Call for Proposals

https://jwst-docs.stsci.edu/jwst-opportunities-and-policies/jwst-call-for-proposals-for-cycle-1

Questions should be directed to the jwst helpdesk.

Posted on 6/1/2020:

JWST Cycle 1 Proposal Schedule Update 20200601

1. The JWST Users Committee, STScI, NASA, ESA and CSA have decided to delay announcing a formal schedule for JWST Cycle 1 GO/AR proposals. We anticipate providing a further update on the schedule in mid- to late-July
2. Recognizing the challenges faced by the community, we will give at least twelve (12) weeks notice of the revised Cycle 1 proposal deadline

Posted on 3/19/2020:

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

1. STScI, NASA, ESA, and CSA have decided to delay the proposal deadline for JWST Cycle 1 GO proposals to no earlier than May 27th2020.

Posted on 5/7/2020:

COVID-19 and 2020 ACS Grants -- We are aware of, and are monitoring, issues introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic that impact the American Cancer Society (ACS) grant application and administrative processes. See more information here: https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/grant-types/covid-19-and-2020-acs-grants.html

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 4/20/2020:

1. Cancelling scheduled interim reports due in 2020. This will occur automatically. Changes will be reflected in the Grantee Portal by April 30, 2020. Payments that currently follow an interim report will be made as scheduled in the grant agreement, unless a specific request is made otherwise (see #4 below). Please note the interim report record will still exist in the Grantee Portal, and the report status will say “Cancelled (CV-19).” To the extent that you have materials prepared that you wish to submit, you may still do so via the Grantee Portal. Your Initiative Lead will follow up if an exception is required.
2. Extending scheduled final reports due in 2020 by three (3) months. This will occur automatically. Again, changes will be reflected in the Grantee Portal by April 30, 2020.

Posted on 3/25/2020:

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 5/7/2020:

A Message to Clinical Trial Investigators on Bristol Myers Squibb’s Response to COVID-19

Posted on 3/26/2020:

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 4/2/2020:

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 3/23/2020 and 3/12/2020:

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 5/7/2020:

COVID-19 FAQs for Applicants and Awardees -- The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation knows that many labs and clinical studies have been impacted by the recent response to COVID-19. It is the CF Foundation's intention to work with funding applicants and CF Foundation-funded investigators to minimize the effects of the pandemic on research that is critical for advancing the mission of the Foundation. See more information here: https://www.cff.org/Research/Researcher-Resources/Awards-and-Grants/COVID-19-FAQs-for-Applicants-and-Awardees/

Posted on 3/25/2020:

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 3/19/2020:

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 3/24/2020:

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 3/13/2020:

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 3/19/2020:

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

Posted on 6/3/2020:

Due to travel restrictions issued by the Department of Energy (DOE), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is implementing travel restrictions for our subcontractors, for both domestic and international travel. These restrictions apply to all subcontracts where travel is required to execute the work scope. This applies to all agreement types: fixed price, cost reimbursement, time and material, etc.

For the reasons stated above, UT-Battelle is issuing the following restrictions for subcontractors:

1. Seller MUST stop all travel under ALL Subcontracts immediately.
2. Seller MUST contact the Technical Project Officer (TPO) of its Agreement if Seller believes its employee requires travel for any Statement of Work (SOW) purpose.
3. The TPO will work with their Procurement Officer to obtain approval from the Level 1 Manager, Laboratory Director, Chief Financial Officer, and DOE prior to the Seller initiating any travel arrangements
4. Seller must have written authorization from the Procurement Officer before traveling for any SOW purpose under its Agreement.
5. If the Seller travels without prior authorization, these costs will be considered unallowable and will not be reimbursed.
6. Seller shall notify its employees of these travel restrictions, take all necessary measures to identify employees who fit the above criteria, and ensure they do not travel without authorization from the Procurement Officer. Contact the TPO for questions related to this Notice. The Seller shall flow this Notice down to all sub-tier contractors who perform work under the SOW.

Posted on 5/18/2020:

We will provide supplementary funding depending on the type of grant you hold. Check our list of schemes [XLSX 171KB].

If your grant finishes in 2020 or 2021, we will consider requests for animal maintenance costs for the period of disruption. Also, if this grant is eligible for a COVID-19 salary and stipend supplement, we will calculate the value of the supplement based on the budget awarded for salary and stipend support.

We won't supplement for materials and consumables, additional equipment, travel, overheads, and access charges.

We will extend all grants by up to six months, to allow for any disruption caused by the pandemic. If your grant is eligible for a COVID-19 salary and stipend supplement, we will automatically extend your grant when we award your supplement. If you're not eligible for this supplement, contact us to ask for an extension.

If costs paid for cancelled travel or event cannot be reimbursed or claimed for under insurance, you can claim these against your grant. We will not supplement grants for these costs.

Posted on 3/19/2020:

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