
Federal Grant Administration Webinar Series: Grant Cost Allowability 101
One of the most common questions asked in organizations like RDO’s that expend federal grant funds is “Can we charge this to our grant?” The initial but often unsatisfactory answer is “It depends.” What it depends upon are the federal cost principles that are applicable to those grant awards when a grant or subgrant agreement is issued. The cost principles are a set of rules for determining which costs are allowable charges, which ones are not, and how the costs are to documented. They are called principles because they have to applied to the facts and circumstances that surround particular individual expenditure transactions. Those facts and circumstances can vary widely. So can the people who might have a role in deciding whether a charge is ultimately posted and sustained—program staff, financial managers, executives, board members and even auditors. So, understanding and using the cost principles are essential skills within a federally funded organization.
This session will analyze the cost principles contained in Subpart E of 2 CFR 200 with particular emphasis on policies that have been changed in the revisions taking effect on October 1, 2024.
This webinar is offered through the Economic Development District Community of Practice (EDD CoP), managed by the NADO Research Foundation. To learn more, visit: www.nado.org/EDDCoP. The EDD CoP is made possible through an award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce (ED22HDQ3070106). The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.