AFI Resource Guide: Overview on Project Changes

Overview on Project Changes (Post-Award Amendments)

Over the course of an AFI grant project, changes may need to be made, whether in personnel, implementation plans, or other areas.  Part II of the HHS Grants Policy Statement  (PDF) provides guidance to grantees regarding when prior approval is required for a project change, also known as a grant amendment or a post-award amendment.

Because it was written to be applicable to all HHS grants, AFI grantees may not always find the Grants Policy Statement to clearly address their specific questions.  Additionally, the Grants Policy Statement doesn’t provide guidance on the current Administration for Children and Families (ACF) process for requesting a post-award amendment.

The Office of Community Services (OCS) has created a tip sheet (available for download below) to provide information for AFI grantees on post-award amendments.  While we recommend that you review the full tip sheet, here are some key points:

• It is very important that grantees understand how to make post-award amendments in order to change the key personnel on their grant so that grantees can continue to access required federal systems and submit their required reports.
• A no-cost extension requires a post-award amendment. Grantees are not guaranteed approval of a no-cost extension request.  Requests for no-cost extensions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

NOTE: The ACF Office of Grants Management (OGM) is the authority on post-award amendments for ACF grants, and AFI grantees should take any questions to their Grants Management Specialist.  If you are having difficulty contacting your Grants Management Specialist or have not gotten a response from them in a timely manner, elevate the issue by contacting your OCS program contacts (e.g. your Program Specialist, the Program Manager, and/or the Director of the Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs).