• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

USC Department of Contracts and Grants

  • Home
  • Pre-Award
  • Post-Award
  • Subawards
  • DCG Training
  • Resources
  • Directory
You are here: Home / Announcements / FAQs on NSF’s Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-26

FAQs on NSF’s Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-26

July 21, 2020

Announcement: Last month the National Science Foundation (NSF) issued guidance on NSF’s implementation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum (M-20-26), entitled, Extension of Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations. This issuance implemented updated guidance authorized by OMB Memorandum M-20-26 for recipients affected by COVID-19. The guidance extends two of the short-term administrative relief from specific requirements contained in 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, without compromising accountability requirements.

These extensions, that go beyond what OMB previously outlined in Memorandum M-20- 17, specifically pertain to the allowability of salaries and other project activities and single audit submission. In order to support charges against NSF awards, recipients are reminded of their responsibility to maintain appropriate records and documentation to support the charges in accordance with institutional policies and procedures.

OMB Memoranda M-20-17 and M-20-20 have been rescinded. Please keep in mind that these memoranda include:

  • Flexibility with application deadlines
  • Allowability of salaries and other project activities
  • Prior approval requirement waivers
  • Extension of financial, performance, and other reporting
  • Extension of closeout

FAQs relating to NSF’s implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-26 for NSF proposers and awardees and for NSF major facility cooperative agreement recipients are available on NSF’s website.

Questions? Questions about the policies described in the NSF Guidance should be directed to policy@nsf.gov. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to the DCG Contracts and Grants Officer assigned to your unit.

Filed Under: Announcements

Department of Contracts and Grants
3720 S. Flower Street
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0701
213-740-7762

University of Southern California - Content managed by DCG
  • Privacy Notice - Notice of Non-Discrimination