Grant and Research Compliance Resources

The post award phase comprises a significant amount of work over the duration of the award dates, which includes implementing the grant, reporting progress, and completing the closeout requirements. The federal agency that makes the award to you is also there to assist and ensure you or your organization complies with the grant terms and conditions. Your job is to faithfully and diligently carry out the grant program.

The “Back to Basics” blog series focuses on the critical concepts and frequently asked questions which are integral to managing and maintaining compliance with federal grants. The series is industry agnostic and can apply to nonprofit organizations, state and local entities, and higher education institutions.

2 CFR Part 200, also known as the Uniform Guidance, is a set of federal rules that explain how grant money from the U.S. government must be used. It’s like a user manual for managing federal funds responsibly. It covers things like what you’re allowed to spend grant money on, how to keep good records, how to report your progress, and how to make sure the money is used for its intended purpose. These rules help prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used effectively.

The U.S. National Science Foundation, in partnership with the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, is sharing online research security training for the research community.

This training provides recipients of federal research funding with information on risks and threats to the global research ecosystem — and the knowledge and tools necessary to protect against these risks.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) require certain categories of researchers to receive RCR training. However, RCR is increasingly viewed as an essential component of training regardless of a researcher’s source of funding.

RCR consists of a basic course, refresher course, communicating research findings course, and facilitator guides. While particular emphasis is given to the educational needs of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, the RCR series is suitable for any person involved in research ranging from upper-level undergraduates to established faculty and other professionals.

The RCR Basic, RCR Refresher, and Communicating Research Findings courses provide students or other researchers with foundational knowledge that can enhance the quality of in-person or virtual training. RCR trainers can use the RCR Facilitator Guides to develop and facilitate in-person or virtual training.

The RCR courses and facilitator guides were written and peer-reviewed by experts.

IRB Administration Foundations provides members of an Institutional Review Board’s (IRB) administrative office and Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) with a practical review of the critical areas associated with IRB and IRB office operations. This course is for individuals new to the role of IRB administrator. The modules cover drafting and revising policies and procedures, reporting to federal agencies, communicating with subjects, internal quality assurance and quality improvement of the HRPP, and monitoring and inspections of the HRPP and IRB.

Additional courses: Advanced IRB Administration, Comprehensive IRB Administration

Provides an in-depth look at Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) responsibilities, authority, and membership, as well as the IACUC’s relationship with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Institutional Official (IO). The course also discusses the review of animal use protocols, the required semiannual program review and facilities inspection, and the procedures for investigating allegations of improper animal care and use.

Additional Courses include: IACUC Administration (Advanced), IACUC Protocol Review