HEALTH RESOURCES & SERVICES ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS LaToya Ferguson

GRANTS MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST’S ROLE

GRANTS MANAGEMENT’S ROLE The Grants Management role is advisory and assist with the interpretation of grants management policy for the reviewers as necessary and as requested.

BUDGET TIPS Budget items the reviewers should keep in mind are: The budget must be adequately justified and specifically tied to the proposed objectives The budget must be necessary, reasonable, and appropriate to the project. The budget cannot be increased greater than the amount of the amount requested.

BUDGET TIPS Allowability of costs will be determined by the Grants Management Office in conjunction with the Program Office. Questions or concerns regarding the allowability of a particular cost in the budget may be noted in the appropriate section of the Application Review Module (ARM) as a note to HRSA.

BUDGET TIPS Salary Limitations: Many reviewers are aware of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L ) which was enacted December 23, This act outlines salary limitations where HRSA funds cannot be used to pay the salary of an individual at a rate in excess of $185,100 ( 2016 limitation ). When the Grants Office begins the review of the application budgets, we will ensure that the salaries do not exceed this limitation. However, during your review if you notice that an individual’s salary exceeds this limitation please feel free to make a note to HRSA in the Application Review Module (ARM).

BUDGET TIPS 424 Application Guide: Per the 424 application guide, the narrative for subsequent budget years should highlight the changes from year one or clearly indicate that there are no substantive budget changes. Grantees may also choose to submit a detailed budget for these subsequent years which would be acceptable.

Budget Recommendations Making Budget Recommendation: Once the budget is evaluated, as a reviewer: You can approve as requested Approve as reduced All recommendations regarding the budget must be based on a consensus of the panel members.

Budget Recommendations Reviewers should score the budgets according to the criterion reflected in the funding opportunity announcement. Budget narrative should not be used to expand on the project narrative. It should explain and detail the amounts requested for each line of the budget and specifically describe how each item will support the achievement of the proposed objectives.

Budget Recommendations If a recommendation is made that one or more project components/objectives should be removed from the scope of the project then reviewers must ensure that specific dollar amounts are identified for each component/objective that is recommended for disapproval. Additionally, a clear rationale for the recommendation must be provided. This recommendation must be consistently reviewed and noted for each budgetary year submitted by the applicant. Reviewers should also consider how this type of recommendation will impact the applicant achieving their project goals and objectives.

Budget Recommendations If a decision is made to recommend a cost reduction, please be very specific by providing a detailed justification for recommended reductions. Please do not use percentages in the reduction recommendation. Use specific dollar amounts and provide the associated cost for the line-item being recommended for reduction. Recommended reductions must be consistently reviewed and noted for each budgetary year submitted by the applicant. We encourage each reviewer to be as specific as possible when writing the recommendation.

WRAP UP Lastly, the Grants Management and Program Staff are responsible for making final determinations regarding the budgets. We will review the budgets of approved applications and take under advisement all comments, notes, and any recommended disallowed costs and/or reduced funding levels.

Thank You! Thank you again for your time and participation.