The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released a memorandum, entitled, “Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations.” According to NSF, the purpose 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. The document highlights flexibilities that are applicable to NSF proposers and awardees affected by the loss of operational capacity and increased costs due to the COVID-19 crisis. Learn what they are, here.
In addition, the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a memorandum for applicants and awardees who have experienced disruptions due to COVID-19. According to the DOE, the Office of Science is assessing its current solicitations that have dates that occur through mid-April to make a determination on extensions to those due dates. Applicants and awardees preparing revised budgets or public abstracts, as well as awardees with changed travel plans due to COVID-19 are addressed within the document. Learn more here.
In addition, the Department of Defense (DOD) guidance indicates longer extensions and refunds following institutional policies, as they take action taking action to provide greater flexibility to the research community during this time. 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 which states grantees to delay submission of financial, performance and other reports on currently-active award accounts up to three months beyond the normal due date. The DOD will also 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. The DOD also recommends that program offices provide flexibility with upcoming proposal deadlines to the extent allowable by funding authorities and by the need to have enough time for merit review of submitted proposals. Learn more here.
