Federal regulations require prior approval from an awarding agency for a variety of project changes. While the federal government's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has reduced the number of required prior approvals in an effort to streamline the grants management process, a few required prior approvals remain. More detailed information is presented in Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).

2 CFR Part 200: Cost Principles for Educational Institutions

Many federal agencies have waived cost related prior approvals and permit an institution to decide budget changes under the "expanded authorities." These expanded authorities only apply to certain grants and do not apply to contracts or non-federal awards. In addition to the cost related prior approval waiver, in general, the following changes may be permitted without prior agency approval:

• pre-award costs up to 90 days prior to award
• one-time expiration date extension of up to 12 months
• carryover of unobligated balances to subsequent funding periods

Certain other changes, however, require prior approval of the awarding agency.  Please contact the Post Award Sponsored Projects Administrator (SPA) to determine whether the award falls under Expanded Authorities.