Compliance

The U.S. government requires recipients of federal grants to adhere to specific terms and conditions outlined in a set of guidelines referred to as Uniform Guidance. Uniform Guidance defines rules for how federal funds should be managed, from how agencies issue grants to how recipients must handle those funds. It helps ensure accountability, consistency, and transparency in the use of federal funds.

While Uniform Guidance specifically pertains to federal grants, the same guidelines should be considered when managing non-federal grants. Principal Investigators should become familiar with Uniform Guidance and be diligent in ensuring they are remaining compliant in the management of all of their federal and non-federal grants.

What Does Uniform Guidance Include?

The Uniform Guidance covers all aspects of federal grants administration, from pre-award to audit. To help make the information accessible, OMB has divided it into six subparts.

Where Can I Find It?

The Guidance has been incorporated into the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which contains the rules published by the various departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

The Guidance is located in Title 2, Part 200 of the CFR (2 CFR Part 200).

Where Can I Learn More About This?

The Council on Financial Assistance Reform (COFAR), an interagency group established to help guide grants management reform, provides extensive web-based resources on the Uniform Guidance, including background materials, FAQs, and training materials, among other things.