The following post is from Thompson Grants weekly delivery of grant- and audit-related news and analysis from their editors, conveniently organized in pre-award, post-award and audit categories. It also provides readers with the latest Grants Intelligence articles from experts in the grants community, responses to subscriber questions, links to their most recent newsletter issues and e-learning offerings, and upcoming webinars.
Grants Development News
HRSA Seeks Applications for AIDS Assistance Funds
The Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has made $65 million in federal fiscal year (FY) 2020 grant funding available under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part B AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Emergency Relief Funds (ERF) (CFDA No. 93.917) for eligible states and territories that can demonstrate methods to reduce the waiting list for AIDS patients to obtain medications and services.
NIH: Update on Unfunded Applications Will Now Be Emailed
Institutions that submit applications for funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), but that will not be receiving support, now will receive an automated email notification to that effect under a newly instituted administrative burden reduction effort. NIH recently published NOT-OD-19-133, which announced that a consolidated email listing the applications that NIH does not intend to fund will be sent about 14 months after the application’s council (review) date.
Grants Management News
DOS To Review Factors Delaying Foreign Aid Report
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) plans to assess whether new budget allocation systems can assist in enabling it to submit to Congress the annual section 653(a) report — which addresses the allocation of foreign assistance funds — in a timely manner, in response to a recent recommendation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). If not, the agency may propose a legislative amendment to extend the report submission deadline.
Single Audit News
FTA To Develop Integrity Plan Review Procedures
The Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) plans to implement procedures by August 2020 to consistently review and approve integrity monitoring plans developed by recipients of Hurricane Sandy recovery grants, in response to a recent audit by the DOT Office of Inspector General (OIG).
Along with grant-related forums hosted by Thompson Grants, the following is a list of meetings and conferences that are noteworthy for subscribers. Some are directly related to single audits, while others deal with subjects of more general interest to those involved with governmental accounting, auditing or program management. To submit an entry for the calendar, please send an email to sass@thompson.com, including the name of the conference, dates, location, sponsor and contact information.
Grants Intelligence – September 2019
Universities Should Act Now to Prepare for PMA Program Goals
One of the key cross-agency priority goals (CAP) under the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) is to require results-oriented accountability for grants, known as CAP Goal 8. This accountability will prompt the research community to focus on comprehensive research performance. During the May 2019 meeting of the Federal Demonstration Partnership, Rhea Hubbard of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) stressed that a goal of the PMA is to “maximize the value of grant funding by applying a risk-based, data driven framework that balances compliance requirements with demonstrating successful results for the American taxpayer.”
Auditing in the Era of Grant Reform
For many years, the federal government has been exploring ways to modify the grants process to achieve greater efficiency while reducing burden. These efforts began many years ago with the Electronic Grants Committee and continued through mandated efforts such as the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (Pub. L. 109-282) and the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act) (Pub. L. 113-101). The Trump Administration continues to build on these statutes and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) uniform guidance by setting forth continued goals for increasing efficiency and reducing burden under the President’s Management Agenda (PMA).
Ask the Expert
What Limitations Exist on Board Expenses?
Q: I am preparing an ICRP. The sample created by the Department of Labor includes limitations on the Board Expenses that are allowed (travel and annual fee only). I cannot find reference to these limitations in the uniform guidance, but I probably am just not looking in the right place. Can you please direct me? Regards, Molly from Takoma, Wash.
Monthly Newsletters
We take all the news each month and compile into a monthly newsletter for your files.
Federal Grants Development Handbook Newsletter, September 2019
Federal Grants Management Handbook Newsletter, September 2019
Single Audit Information Service Newsletter, September 2019
Federal Grants News Newsletter, September 2019
WEBINARS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
Indirect Costs and Cost Allocation Plans – An eLearning Course
Karen Norris | Self-guided course
In this eLearning course, Karen Norris, a national consultant and subject matter expert for k4rnoco, a K4ren Norris Company, and formerly with Thompson Information Services, will discuss the changes in the new uniform grant reform guidance related to calculating and charging indirect costs to federal grants. The presentations will include: an overview on indirect cost rates, including developing and submitting indirect cost rate proposals; how the rules governing indirect costs have changed; and provide practical examples how agencies can prepare for these changes.
Grants Knowledge Internal Audit — Critical for Compliance!
Elizabeth Gombash | Thursday, October 3, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
The uniform grant guidance requires non-federal entities (NFEs) to have strong internal controls. But even the best-designed—and tested—controls won’t ensure compliance. That’s because too many NFEs assume their people have the grants knowledge to apply those controls effectively. Audits, however, often reveal that employees don’t have that know-how. Why risk such costly assumptions? An internal “knowledge audit” can help make sure employees play their critical role in keeping internal controls strong and effective. Here’s how to use this critical assessment to keep your own organization audit-ready.
Expectations for Substantial Progress: Why “Bait & Switch” Doesn’t Work With Federal Grants.
Toni Demaglio | Thursday, October 10, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
The Uniform Grant Guidance has amplified the importance of making substantial progress toward attaining the goals you stated in your proposal. A “bait and switch” approach puts federal contractors at serious risk of noncompliance. That’s why you can’t overpromise … or underperform. It’s critical to know how agencies are holding grantees accountable for meeting their state goals. Protecting your grant also means knowing how to use tools like risk assessments, milestones and drawdowns to gauge — and report—project progress. In this new webinar, you’ll learn how from an expert at keeping grants compliant and audit-ready.
Turn Your Board into a Top Support Team for Your Grants Process.
Scot Scala, GPC, M.Ed., and GPA Approved Trainer | Wednesday, October 23, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
What if your grants team could present the funding case directly to the leadership of charitable foundations and other funding organizations? An active Board of Directors can help you use this powerful peer-to-peer strategy to increase your access to vital funding. This new webinar shows you how to use your board to create a culture of philanthropy—and all-new success for your grants process.
Using Arguments to Write More Compelling Grant Applications
M. Linda Wastyn, Ph.D. |Tuesday, October 29, 2019 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Intense competition for funding means your grant application must be utterly irresistible. That’s why grant consultant Linda Wastyn advises you to argue. Compared to traditional grants applications, an “argument format” immediately sets your proposal apart. A well-developed argument for funding wins reviewers’ attention. Strong supporting data wins their respect. And you’re likelier to win the award for your program. How do you construct such an irresistible grant application? Wastyn explains all you need to know in this upcoming webinar!
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