What is “Expanded Authorities”?
Federal regulations require prior approval from an awarding agency for a variety of project changes. Several years ago, the federal government’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reduced the number of required prior approvals in an effort to streamline the grants management process by issuing “expanded authorities”. However, some required prior approvals do remain. More detailed information is presented in Penn’s Sponsored Programs Manual which can be found at www.upenn.edu/researchservices/spmanual/index.html or in the OMB Circulars which can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index-education.html.