The Department is aware of the paperwork burden that the grants process imposes on applicants. The Department is continuously trying to determine ways to reduce paperwork and welcomes your suggestions for doing so. Various federal requirements are imposed on applicants and grantees as a condition of receiving grant funds. Application packages contain forms that an applicant is required to sign, promising to abide by various federal laws, regulations , and executive orders that apply to grantees. Certifications relate to issues such as maintaining a drug-free workplace.
Assurances relate to issues such as complying with nondiscrimination laws.
In these cases, grantees might be required to get certain forms signed by those persons as well. They implement legislation passed by Congress to authorize a specific program, and include applicant and participant eligibility criteria, nature of activities funded, allowability of certain costs, criteria under which applications will be selected for funding, and other relevant information. Administrative regulations, on the other hand, apply to all grantees regardless of the program. They implement guidance from OMB contained in circulars, Presidential Executive Orders, and legislation that affects all applicants for, or recipients of, federal grants and cooperative agreements. The Department posts both program and administrative regulations on its Web site.