Grant Writing Post-Award Grant Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

An organization managing a federal grant determines that a new piece of equipment, which was not in the original budget, is essential for project success.
The cost is $4,500, which is below the organization's capitalization threshold but above the micro-purchase threshold.
What is the MOST critical first step the grant manager should take?

Accepted Answer

Review the grant agreement and 2 CFR 200 for prior approval requirements regarding budget modifications and equipment purchases.

Answer

Purchase the equipment immediately using grant funds since it is a necessary expense.

Answer

Submit a formal grant amendment request to the federal agency without any preliminary checks.

Answer

Use unrestricted organizational funds for the purchase and reallocate the grant funds later.

Question 2

A nonprofit is managing a federal grant and is required to submit routine financial reports to the awarding agency to show cumulative expenses incurred. Which standard government-wide form is typically used for this purpose?

Accepted Answer

SF-425 (Federal Financial Report)

Answer

SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)

Answer

Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax)

Answer

SF-270 (Request for Advance or Reimbursement)

Question 3

Three months into a one-year foundation grant, the lead Program Director, who was named as key personnel in the proposal, unexpectedly resigns. The organization quickly hires a replacement with similar qualifications. What is the most appropriate action for the grant manager to take regarding the foundation?

Accepted Answer

Proactively contact the foundation's program officer to inform them of the change and introduce the new director.

Answer

Do nothing, as the replacement is equally qualified and the project is not at risk.

Answer

Wait until the grant closeout report to mention the personnel change in a footnote.

Answer

Submit a formal request to the foundation to re-evaluate and re-issue the grant award.

Question 4

Which of the following is the primary purpose of maintaining detailed time and effort reporting for employees whose salaries are charged to a federal grant?

Accepted Answer

To provide auditable documentation that personnel charges to the award are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated.

Answer

To provide supporting data for employees' annual performance reviews.

Answer

To justify the organization's de minimis indirect cost rate calculation.

Answer

To create a comprehensive timesheet archive for the Human Resources department.

Question 5

During the grant closeout process, an organization discovers it has $2,500 in unspent funds from a $150,000 federal grant. The grant agreement does not specify how to handle unspent funds. What is the standard and most appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Return the unspent funds to the granting agency.

Answer

Roll the unspent funds into the organization's general operating budget for the next fiscal year.

Answer

Quickly purchase office supplies and other allowable items to expend the remaining balance before the deadline.

Answer

Request a no-cost extension specifically to find a way to spend the surplus funds.

Question 6

An organization is managing a federally funded research project that is unexpectedly delayed due to a major equipment failure. The project's objectives remain the same, but the work cannot be completed by the original end date. What is the most appropriate administrative action to request from the funder?

Accepted Answer

A no-cost extension to allow more time to complete the original scope of work.

Answer

A budget revision to reallocate funds for a different research method.

Answer

A scope amendment to reduce the project's overall objectives.

Answer

A supplemental funding request to cover the costs of the delay.