Content created by Division of Grants
Topics on this page: HHS Grants Policy | Other Grants Policy Resources | Lobbying | Federal Funding Transparency Act (FFATA) / Sub-Award Reporting | HHS Efficient Spending Policy | Objective Grant Review
Grants Policy Statement (GPS)
- HHS Grants Policy Statement, opens in a new tab [PDF, 1.16 MB] (Effective April 2025) - Applications under discretionary grant programs, whether received in response to a funding opportunity announcement, solicited from a single source, or received as unsolicited requests for funding, are subject to objective review. Objective review is an advisory review of discretionary grant applications conducted by a minimum of three unbiased reviewers with expertise in the programmatic area for which applications are submitted (I-30, PG. 44).
- October 2025 Version of GPS
- HHS Grants Policy Statement (Page I 29), links to an external website, opens in a new tab – January 2007 (Archived)
Other Grants Policy Resources
- HHS Administrative and National Policy Requirements, opens in a new tab
- Writing Award Descriptions, opens in a new tab
- Financial Assistance General Certifications and Representations, opens in a new tab
- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, links to an external website (2 CFR – 200) – Final revised rule streamlining grant management requirements. This guidance supersedes requirements from OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-110, and A-122 (which have been placed in OMB guidances); Circulars A-89, A-102, and A-133; and the guidance in Circular A-50 on Single Audit Act follow-up. (12/26/2013)
- OMB Home Page, links to an external website – The Office of Management and Budget provides Bulletins, Circulars, Memoranda, Privacy Guidance, Reports and other important guidance information.
- 45 CFR Part 75 - Part 75—Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, links to an external website
- Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act, links to an external website, opens in a new tab (PL114-117)
- Grants Fraud Alert
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is alerting the public to the latest scheme to defraud the government and steal money from the American people.
https://oig.hhs.gov/compliance/alerts/alert12212010.asp, opens in a new tab
HHS Intergovernmental Review Guidance
Grants Policy Topics
Regulatory Requirements
- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirement for HHS Awards (45 CFR Part 75) - Part 75—Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, links to an external website
- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200) – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, links to an external website
Policy Topic: Lobbying
HHS Policy Guidance
- Federal Restrictions on Lobbying for HHS Financial Assistance Recipients
Recipients of federal funds are not allowed to use federal funding to lobby federal, state, or local officials or their staff to receive additional funding or influence legislation. - OMB Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement 2016, links to an external website
Policy Topic: Federal Funding Transparency Act (FFATA) / Sub-Award Reporting
Statute
- Public Law 109-282, links to an external website, opens in a new tab - Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act
- Guidelines to follow for FFATA Sub-Award and Executive Compensation Reporting Requirements and Discretionary Awards
Resources, Tools and Systems
Best Practices
- IHS’s Implementation of FSR Sub-Awards Reporting Requirements, opens in a new tab
- HRSA’s FFATA Frequently Asked Questions, opens in a new tab
Policy Topic: HHS Efficient Spending Policy
- HHS Policy on Promoting Efficient Spending (January 23, 2015): Use of Appropriated Funds for Conferences and Meetings, Food, Promotional Items, and Printing and Publications
- Attachment 1: HHS Policy on Use of Appropriated Funds for Conferences and Meeting Space (January 23, 2015)
- Exhibit 1: Conference Spending Provisions of the HHS Appropriations Act
- Exhibit 2: List of Meetings and Events that are Not Conferences
- Exhibit 3: Conference Expenses and Reporting Requirements
- Attachment 2: HHS Policy on Use of Appropriated Funds for Food
- Attachment 3: HHS Policy on Use of Appropriated Funds for Promotional Items
- Attachment 4: HHS Policy on Printing and Publications
- Attachment 1: HHS Policy on Use of Appropriated Funds for Conferences and Meeting Space (January 23, 2015)
- Conference Spending Reports
These reports include information about conferences held by HHS where costs exceed $100,000.- FY 2015 Report on Conferences Sponsored by HHS Staff Divisions
- FY 2015 Reports on Conference Spending by HHS Operating Divisions:
- Administration for Children and Families, opens in a new tab (ACF)
- Administration for Community Living, opens in a new tab (ACL)
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, opens in a new tab (AHRQ)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opens in a new tab (CDC)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, opens in a new tab (CMS)
- Food and Drug Administration, opens in a new tab (FDA)
- Health Resources and Services Administration, opens in a new tab (HRSA)
- Indian Health Services, opens in a new tab (IHS)
- National Institutes of Health, opens in a new tab (NIH)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (Not yet available)
Policy Topic: Objective Grant Review
Best Practices
OMB Memoranda
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memoranda authorize federal awarding agencies the flexibility to aid HHS’ grantee community in several key areas of our grants administration policies and requirements to support the continued research and services necessary to carry out the emergency response related to COVID-19.