Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real Grant Writing practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethics flashcards as text
Which of the following scenarios represents an appropriate use of indirect costs in a federally funded grant?
Answer: Applying the federally negotiated indirect cost rate as specified in the award
The federally negotiated indirect cost rate must be applied as specified; exceeding it or misapplying it is a compliance and ethics violation.
A grant writer learns that her organization did not complete required community needs assessment before submitting an application that claimed it had been done. This is an example of:
Answer: Material misrepresentation in a grant application
Claiming a required assessment was completed when it was not is material misrepresentation, which can constitute fraud.
When a private foundation requires grantees to use its logo on all program materials, what ethical consideration should the grant writer raise with organizational leadership?
Answer: Whether prominent funder branding may compromise the organization's independence or client relationships
Mandatory funder branding can signal undue influence over organizational activities and may affect client trust or independence.
A nonprofit's grant writer is also a voting board member. When the board votes to approve a grant application she wrote, what ethical practice should occur?
Answer: She should recuse herself from the vote to avoid a conflict of interest
A board member who authored the grant application has a conflict of interest and should recuse herself from the approval vote.
What is the ethical responsibility of a grant writer when she disagrees with her organization's decision to apply for a grant she believes misrepresents their capacity?
Answer: Raise her concerns in writing to leadership before proceeding
Ethical grant writers must document and formally raise concerns about misrepresentation before proceeding, giving leadership the opportunity to address the issue.
A grant writer finds a competitor's successful proposal posted online and wants to use sections of it verbatim in a new application. This practice is:
Answer: Plagiarism that violates professional ethics regardless of funder
Copying another organization's proposal without permission or attribution is plagiarism and violates professional ethics regardless of the funder.
Which of the following grant writer behaviors exemplifies the ethical principle of 'accuracy in representation'?
Answer: Using pilot program data carefully qualified with appropriate limitations
Presenting pilot data with appropriate caveats about its limitations is an example of accurate, transparent representation of evidence.