THE ALLIANCE FOR GRADUATE EDUCATION AND PROFESSIORIATE PROGRAM

(AGEP) CONFERENCE

NSF Division of Grants & Agreements

Chicago, IllinoisMarch 18-21, 2009

Grants & Agreement Specialist L. Rashawn Farrior

4201 Wilson Blvd

Room 412

Arlington, VA

703-292-2187

KC BaukinBranch Chief

Pam HawkinsEHR – Team Lead

Rashawn FarriorGrant Specialist

HRD/DUE (except CCLI)

EHR

Branch

Brief History of AGEP

In late October 1998, the NSF Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) program  awarded eight universities nearly $2.5 million each to significantly increase the number of African American, Hispanic and Native American students receiving science, mathematics and engineering (SME) degrees.

Brief History of AGEP

The original eight universities that received AGEP awards include the Georgia Institute of Technology, Howard University, University of Alabama, Birmingham, University of Florida, University of Michigan, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Puerto Rico, and Rice University.  In FY1999, seven new AGEP alliances were funded, subsequently followed by five more awardees in FY2000 and 2001. (Source:

http://ehrweb.aaas.org/mge/About.htm)

Where DGA Fits In…

DGA is the largest award making division with in the Office of Business & Finance Administration (BFA)

DGA approved almost 24,000 actions in FY 2008

Where does grantee fit in?

Full responsibility for the conduct of the research project and adherence to all NSF and Federal award terms and conditions

Compliance with all Federal cost principles regarding grant expenditures

Participant Support Costs

Costs of transportation, per diem, stipend and other related costs for participants or trainees (but not employees) in connection with NSF-sponsored conferences, meetings, symposia, training are allowable.

No indirect costs allowed

Participant Support Costs

Costs tracked through the use of separate accounts, sub-accounts or sub-ledgers

Actual expenditures compared to proposed costs

NSF prior approval for reallocation

Meals and Coffee Breaks

When certain meals are an integral and necessary part of a conference, (e.g., working meals where business is transacted), grant funds may be used.

Entertainment, amusement, diversion and social activities are unallowable costs.

Will AGEP institutions be visited from NSF?

Some reasons for being selected:

• High Dollar • High Dollar amount of Participant

Support• High Dollar of Subawards• Award made at the end of the fiscal

year

Subawards

Ability to perform (technically, financially and administratively)

Adequate accounting systemNot debarred from Federal grants

or contractsAppropriate indirect cost rate and

application baseCost or Price Analysis

Subaward Monitoring

Plan in place for monitoring subawards

Review of invoices

Technical reviews or site visit reports

Site Visits to Grantee Community Award Monitoring and Business Assistance Program (AMBAP) Site Visits

DGA & Cost Analysis &Audit Resolution (CAAR) staff provide on-site business assistance to organizations

Sites are selected based on specific risk assessment criteria

DGA serves as the experts on award terms and conditions

Reporting Requirements

Refer to Solicitation as noted in the original grant proposal to NSF.

Stay in contact with NSF Staff for any additional requirements.

Period of Performance and Prior Approvals

Pre-award costs 90 days prior to award incurred at recipient’s risk

One time no cost extension for 12 months

Can re-budget as long as it does not impact the scope of the award• Cannot re-budget participant support costs

without written approval from program• Cannot sub-award major segments of the

award without prior approval

Cost Sharing

Requirement of this solicitation

Cost Share Certification required from grantee annually

Still need to submit certification report to NSF even if it $0.00

Stimulus Package 2009

More transparency overall across the Foundation

More oversight placed on grantees to ensure proper stewardship of federal funds.

DGA –WEBSITE DGA Web site:

http://www.inside.nsf.gov/bfa/dga/

Questions or Concerns

Ask Early, Ask Often!

AGEP ConferenceChicago, IL

March 18-21, 2009