National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Terms and Conditions Summary

As Issued by NOAA

Updated: February 12, 2024

As with all Federal awards, OMB’s Uniform Guidance applies, except as modified by the sponsor-specific terms.

All prior approvals must be submitted through ERA Commons.

  • Period of Performance extensions:
    • may incur pre-award costs 90 days prior to award without prior approval.
    • may extend award one time up to 12 months at no additional cost: notification of extension must be submitted 10 days prior to award expiration. 
    • Subsequent extensions, or extensions requested after the 10 day deadline has passed, require NOAA prior approval.
  • Personnel Changes
    • Prior approval required to add or change a PI
    • Prior approval required to reduce PI effort by 25% or more
  • Restrictions on Allowable costs
    • Business meals and conference refreshments are allowable if in proposal budget and approved
    • Conference travel is only allowable if necessary to achieve project objectives or disseminate research results
    • Costs allowable only with prior approval:
      • Rearrangement/Reconversion costs over $25,000
      • Salaries of Administrative or Clerical Staff
      • Travel Costs for Dependents
      • Participant Support Costs other than stipend, travel allowance, or registration fees
  • Rebudgeting authority:
    • Prior approval is required for
      • transfer of funds budgeted for Participant support to other categories
      • Any adjustment to cost sharing commitments
      • Transfer of funds between categories in access of 10% of the total award
      • Transfer between direct and indirect cost categories
    • All other rebudgeting between otherwise reasonable, allocable, and allowable costs is allowed, unless it represents a change in scope
  • Equipment/Property
    • General purpose equipment typically not eligible for support. 
    • Title to property vests in MIT
  • Travel
    • Use of US Carriers required per the Fly America Act
    • Foreign travel requires prior approval
  • Subcontracting
    • Prior Approval required for subawards, either via the approved proposal or requested post-award.
  • Reporting
    • All reports must be submitted via Grants Online by the PI.
    • Progress Report due annually 90 days prior to award anniversary date.
    • Final Report is due 120 days after award expiration, and replaces the final annual report.   
  • Publications:
    • Acknowledgment and Disclaimer required:  in all publications "This (report/video, etc.) was prepared by (PI name) using Federal Funds under award (enter number) from NOAA. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the US Department of Commerce. 
    • Copies to Sponsor: send to the Program officer, promptly after publication, referencing the specific award number.