Grants Management Certificate Program

Introduction to Grants Course

• Identify the stages of the federal grants lifecycle from concept to closeout.
• Distinguish between mandatory and discretionary programs.
• Interpret pre-award and post-award requirements within the Uniform Guidance framework.
• Explain key award components and navigate federal decision and application processes, including Grants.gov.
• Review Subparts A–D of 2 CFR Part 200.
• Apply baseline skills in negotiation, performance oversight, recipient monitoring, and audit preparation.
• Connect federal policy and regulatory requirements to day-to-day grants management practices.

Uniform Administrative Requirements for Federal Grants Course

• Summarize the key legislation that underpins federal assistance programs.
• Explain the structure, purpose, and intent of the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
• Distinguish between types of assistance and award instruments.
• Apply core administrative, financial, and audit requirements across the grant lifecycle.
• Translate regulatory requirements into day-to-day grants management practices.
• Strengthen policy writing, procedure design, and award management through practical application of the Uniform Guidance.

Cost Principles for Grants Course

• Apply the three core federal cost tests—allowability, allocability, and reasonableness—to actual financial transactions.
• Distinguish accurately between direct and indirect costs and apply consistency rules in classification.
• Interpret and apply federal requirements in 2 CFR 200 Subpart E and related guidance.
• Assess selected items of cost and determine when exceptions, restrictions, or special documentation apply.
• Develop defensible, audit-ready rationales for approving or denying questionable or gray-area costs.
• Understand how indirect cost rates are developed, negotiated, approved, and applied to budgets.
• Evaluate when to use the de minimis indirect cost rate and recognize its advantages and limitations.
• Identify key documentation required to support cost allowability and avoid common audit findings.
• Strengthen internal controls that support cost compliance, including approvals, segregation of duties, reconciliations, and monitoring.
• Prepare effectively for audit testing of cost principles, including organizing files, documenting methodologies, and identifying risks.
• Analyze real-world scenarios to develop corrective actions and preventive measures that improve ongoing compliance.

Detecting and Preventing Federal Grant Fraud Course

• Conduct fraud-focused risk assessments in the context of federal grants.
• Design monitoring processes that emphasize prevention and include actionable steps.
• Evaluate internal controls to identify gaps and vulnerabilities.
• Apply fraud detection techniques through case-based exercises.
• Analyze real-world scenarios to identify how fraud could have been prevented or detected.
• Build a practical toolkit for reducing fraud risk across awards and subawards.

Internal Control for Grants Course

• Define risk in the context of grants management and oversight.
• Explain legislative and administrative requirements for internal controls.
• Describe how risk and internal controls are connected throughout the assistance lifecycle.
• Translate internal control frameworks into practical grants management activities.
• Design, document, and test controls that promote compliance and performance.
• Apply best practices for monitoring and oversight through case-based exercises.
• Link Green Book principles to grant management by ensuring control activities align with compliance requirements, allowable costs, and program objectives.
• Apply risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities in grant spending, reporting, and subrecipient monitoring.
• Document and monitor control activities (e.g., approvals, reconciliations, and segregation of duties) to strengthen accountability for grant funds.
• Use ongoing evaluation and corrective actions to address internal control deficiencies and demonstrate compliance with federal standards.

Monitoring Grants Course

• Explain legislative requirements that govern monitoring and internal controls.
• Define key terms related to monitoring, risk assessment, and internal control.
• Describe both programmatic and fiscal monitoring techniques.
• Outline the benefits and essential steps of conducting site visits.
• Develop recommendations and procedures for effective grant closeout.
• Summarize responsibilities for pass-through monitoring and closeout compliance.

Auditing Grants Course

• Understanding the grants management process and regulatory requirements.
• Developing audit objectives and procedures for compliance and performance.
• Applying cost principles and performance measurement techniques.
• Providing constructive feedback and recommendations for corrective actions.
• Conducting audits through case studies and practical exercises.

AI for Federal Grants Management Course

• Explain AI fundamentals and responsible use principles in a federal grants management context
• Use AI to research and interpret 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and agency-specific grants regulations
• Apply AI tools to analyze grant applications, budgets, and financial reports for compliance and risk indicators
• Leverage AI for grants monitoring, site visit preparation, and recipient risk assessment
• Construct effective prompts for grants-specific scenarios including closeout review and audit resolution
• Verify AI-generated grants analysis against authoritative sources (2 CFR 200, agency policy, SAM.gov, GrantSolutions)
• Recognize when AI output requires review by grants officers, legal counsel, or program experts

Introduction to Grants Course (Self-Paced)

• Identify the stages of the federal grants lifecycle from concept to closeout.
• Distinguish between mandatory and discretionary programs.
• Interpret pre-award requirements within the Uniform Guidance framework.
• Interpret post-award requirements within the Uniform Guidance framework.
• Explain key award components and navigate the government decision and application processes, including Grants.gov.
• Review of subparts A - D of 2 CFR 200.
• Apply baseline skills in negotiation, performance oversight, recipient monitoring, and audit preparation.
• Connect federal policy and regulatory requirements to day-to-day grants management practices.
• Course Welcome 55s
• Course Learning Objectives 51s
• Key Legislation of Grant Federal Management 10m 7s
• Key Legislation of Grant Federal Management, Cont. 7m 44s
• Introduction to Module 1 1m 37s
• Federal Grants Trends & Accountability 1m 41s
• Key Federal Legislation Shaping Grants Management 3m 14s
• Key Federal Legislation Shaping Grants Management, Cont. 2m 25s
• Congressional Authorization & Appropriation 2m 21s
• Federal Grants Life Cycle 1m 57s
• Legal Basis of Grant Agreements 1m 8s
• Types of Grants 9m 15s
• Order of Precedence 2m 21s
• Flow Down of Funds 1m 18s
• Two Types of Grants 1m 47s
• Discretionary vs. Mandatory Grants Scenario Check 1m 34s
• Overall Grants Cycle 3m 1s
• Federal vs. Local Rules When Managing Grant Funds 1m 42s
• Roles & Responsibilities 1m 42s
• Responsibilities of Grantors 1m 18s
• Responsibilities of Recipients 1m 29s
• Host Organization Responsibilities 2m 41s
• Program Officer 2m 9s
• Grants Officer 1m 54s
• Grantor vs. Recipient Responsibilities Case Scenarios (2 CFR 200, Subpart B) 2m 15s
• Welcome to Module 2 57s
• FEMA Disaster Assistance: GAO Fraud Risk and Internal Controls 3m 26s
• Pre Award Requirements 35s
• Pre Award Requirements (200.200 200.204) 2m 49s
• Application & Review Requirements (200.205 200.208) 2m 38s
• 2 CFR 200 Pre Award & Award Information (200.209 200.213) 2m 38s
• 2 CFR 200 Integrity, Security & Protections (200.214 200.217) 1m 53s
• Pre Award Requirements Case Scenarios (2 CFR 200, Subpart C) 1m 45s
• Post Award Requirements 1m 3s
• 2 CFR 200 Core Compliance Requirements (200.300 200.303) 2m 4s
• 2 CFR 200 Financial & Program Management (200.304 200.309) 2m 57s
• Post Award Financial Management Scenario (2 CFR 200.300 309) 1m 40s
• Property Standards 50s
• 2 CFR 200 Property Standards (200.310 200.312) 1m 38s
• 2 CFR 200 Property Standards (200.313 200.316) 4m 18s
• Procurement Standards (200.317 200.319) 2m 10s
• Procurement Standards (200.320 200.323) 2m 5s
• Procurement Standards (200.324 200.327) 2m 6s
• Post Award Compliance Scenarios 1m 21s
• Performance and Financial Monitoring and Reporting 1m 28s
• Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance (200.328) 1m 46s
• Financial Reporting (200.329) 1m 56s
• Performance Reporting (200.330) 1m 47s
• Subrecipient Monitoring and Management 1m 44s
• Subrecipient and Contractor Determinations (200.331) 1m 36s
• Requirements for Pass Through Entities (200.332) 2m 15s
• Fixed Amount Subawards (200.333) 1m 6s
• Record and Retention 44s
• Record Retention & Access (2 CFR 200.334 200.338) 1m 38s
• Record Retention and Access 1m 38s
• Remedies for Noncompliance (200.339) 1m 56s
• Termination (200.340) 1m 30s
• Remedies for Noncompliance (200.341 200.343) 1m 34s
• Cost Principles Scenarios 1m 25s
• Introduction to Module 3 1m 30s
• Determining Cost Allowability (2 CFR 200.403 200.405) 1m 56s
• Factors Affecting Allowability of Costs (200.403) 3m 49s
• Reasonable Costs (200.404) 1m 25s
• Allocable Costs (200.405) 1m 32s
• Generalist to Team Based Structure After Program Expansion 1m 15s
• Direct vs Indirect Costs 1m 23s
• Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements (NICRA) vs. De Minimis Rate 2m 11s
• Diagnosing Structural Problems Behind Low Morale 1m 24s
• Using the Selected Items of Cost (2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E) 1m 54s
• Identifying Position Management Problems and Target Fixes 1m 45s
• Monitoring Overview Part 1 49s
• Monitoring Overview Part 2 1m 14s
• Concept of Privity 1m 43s
• Welcome to Module 4 58s
• Options at the End of the Grant 1m 52s
• DoD Real Estate Portfolio: Climate Risk Findings and GAO Recommendations 1m 12s
• Situations That May Impede the Close out Process 58s
• Disposition of Property Held by the Recipient 1m 59s
• The Gone Act 1m 31s
• Mixed Series and Mixed Grade Decisions in Position Classification 1m 18s
• Welcome to Module 5 Effectively Ensuring Compliance 3m 13s
• Fiduciary Responsibility & Federal Service Delivery 1m 42s
• Understanding Controls: Preventive vs. Detective 53s
• Interdisciplinary Hiring Recruitment Options 2m 19s
• Internal Risk Assessments 1m 25s
• Evaluating Existing Controls 1m 18s
• Choosing the Right General vs. Technical Competencies (Appendix C) 24s
• OMB Green Book: Summary & Purpose 1m 17s
• Ending: Wrap Up 1m 4s

Uniform Administrative Requirements for Federal Grants Course (Self-Paced)

• Summarize the key legislation that underpins federal assistance programs.
• Explain the structure, purpose, and intent of the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) subparts A-D.
• Explain the structure, purpose, and intent of the Uniform Guidance appendices.
• Distinguish between types of assistance and award instruments.
• Apply core administrative, financial, and audit requirements across the grant lifecycle.
• Translate regulatory requirements into day-to-day grants management practices.
• Strengthen policy writing, procedure design, and award management through practical application of the Uniform Guidance.

Cost Principles for Grants Course (Self-Paced)

• Summarize the core cost principles of allowability, allocability, and reasonableness.
• Distinguish between direct and indirect costs within federal grant budgets.
• Evaluate selected items of cost under Subpart E of 2 CFR 200.
• Apply documentation practices that support consistent and defensible cost decisions.
• Prescribe internal control measures to ensure compliance and audit readiness.
• Practice applying cost principles through targeted discussions and case-based exercises.

Detecting and Preventing Federal Grant Fraud Course (Self-Paced)

• Conduct fraud-focused risk assessments in the context of federal grants.
• Design monitoring processes that emphasize prevention and include actionable steps.
• Evaluate internal controls to identify gaps and vulnerabilities.
• Apply fraud detection techniques through case-based exercises.
• Analyze real-world scenarios to identify how fraud could have been prevented or detected.
• Build a practical toolkit for reducing fraud risk across awards and subawards.

Internal Control for Grants Course (Self-Paced)

• Define risk in the context of grants management and oversight.
• Explain legislative and administrative requirements for internal controls.
• Describe how risk and internal controls are connected throughout the assistance lifecycle.
• Translate internal control frameworks into practical grants management activities.
• Design, document, and test controls that promote compliance and performance.
• Apply best practices for monitoring and oversight through case-based exercises.
• Link Green Book principles to grant management by ensuring control activities align with compliance requirements, allowable costs, and program objectives.
• Apply risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities in grant spending, reporting, and subrecipient monitoring.
• Document and monitor control activities (e.g., approvals, reconciliations, and segregation of duties) to strengthen accountability for grant funds.
• Use ongoing evaluation and corrective actions to address internal control deficiencies and demonstrate compliance with federal standards.

Monitoring Grants Course (Self-Paced)

• Explain legislative requirements that govern monitoring and internal controls.
• Define key terms related to monitoring, risk assessment, and internal control.
• Describe both programmatic and fiscal monitoring techniques.
• Outline the benefits and essential steps of conducting site visits.
• Develop recommendations and procedures for effective grant closeout.
• Summarize responsibilities for pass-through monitoring and closeout compliance.

Auditing Grants Course (Self-Paced)

• Understanding the grants management process and regulatory requirements.
• Developing audit objectives and procedures for compliance and performance.
• Applying cost principles and performance measurement techniques.
• Providing constructive feedback and recommendations for corrective actions.
• Conducting audits through case studies and practical exercises.

AI for Federal Grants Management Course (Self-Paced)

• Explain AI fundamentals and responsible use principles in a federal grants management context
• Use AI to research and interpret 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and agency-specific grants regulations
• Apply AI tools to analyze grant applications, budgets, and financial reports for compliance and risk indicators
• Leverage AI for grants monitoring, site visit preparation, and recipient risk assessment
• Construct effective prompts for grants-specific scenarios including closeout review and audit resolution
• Verify AI-generated grants analysis against authoritative sources (2 CFR 200, agency policy, SAM.gov, GrantSolutions)
• Recognize when AI output requires review by grants officers, legal counsel, or program experts
• Course Overview 4:00
• How AI Language Models Work 2:47
• Responsible AI Use with Grants Data and Recipient Information 2:44
• Protecting Sensitive Recipient Data, Proprietary Information, and CUI 2:47
• Recognizing AI Hallucinations in Regulatory and Compliance Contexts 2:14
• Module 1 Exercise and Knowledge Check 1:27
• Analyzing Applications and Budget Narratives 2:35
• Researching Regulatory Requirements and Eligibility 2:31
• AI-Assisted Risk Assessment of Applicants 2:34
• Drafting Terms and Award Documentation 2:42
• Module 2 Exercise and Knowledge Check 1:17
• Financial and Performance Report Analysis 2:28
• Compliance Monitoring Against 2 CFR 200 2:23
• Recipient Risk Assessment and Site Visit Preparation 1:55
• Closeout Review and Audit Resolution 2:42
• Module 3 Exercise and Knowledge Check 1:26
• Workshop Overview and Prompt Engineering for Grants Tasks 2:52
• Worked Example: A Pre-Award Risk Scenario 2:34
• Worked Example: A Post-Award Compliance Scenario 2:15
• Cross-Checking AI Outputs Against Policy 2:59
• Capstone: A Grants Monitoring Risk Assessment 1:40