Grants

Guidance for DESE grant recipients

Good Morning,

At this time, the Department is providing this general guidance with respect to grant program expenditures. This information is subject to change and updated guidance will be provided as needed.

• Per Office of Management and Budget (OMB) — grant recipients may continue to charge salaries and benefits to currently active awards consistent with the recipient organization's policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal.

• Other costs may be charged to awards, including those necessary to resume activities supported by the award, consistent with applicable cost principles and the benefit to the project. DESE will also evaluate the recipient's ability to resume the project activity in the future and the appropriateness of future funding, as done under normal circumstances, based on subsequent progress reports and other communications with the recipient.

• EdGrants can be accessed remotely as it is a web-based application. Grantees are encouraged to continue using EdGrants as needed.

• Typically, the rule regarding line item amendments is that they are required to be approved 30 days prior to need. Grants management will temporarily lift this 30 day prior to need amendment rule. Please keep in mind that any funds spent using grant funds should still fall within the allowable costs and program parameters. If there are specific questions as to whether something is allowed, grantees should contact the DESE program personnel managing the grant. This is typically the person listed as the contact in the RFP posting.

• The payment request windows are set up at the start of the fiscal year so there will be no disruption in accessing payment windows. Payment windows remain open the 20^th of the month through the end of the month. As always, if there is an issue you can contact Grants Management for assistance.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate this unprecedented situation. As always, you can email EdGrants@doe.mass.edu for assistance.