No-Cost Extensions

Recipients of NOAA Financial Assistance (Grants or Cooperative Agreement Awards) may receive an unfunded ("no-cost") extension of their award beyond the original expiration date if they need more time to finish the sponsored project. Electronic recipients without Expanded Authorities need to request prior approval in accordance with the following Unfunded Extension Checklist and submit their request through the Grants Online system 30 days in advance of the original award end date.

Unfunded Extension Checklist

Requests for Unfunded Extensions to NOAA grant and cooperative agreement awards to electronic recipients without Expanded Authorities require the following information to be submitted through the Grants Online system:

  1. What work in the approved proposal remains to be completed?
  2. What is the requested new expiration date?
  3. Explain why the work was not completed during the original award period.
  4. How much unobligated funds remain?
  5. Provide a budget for work to be completed during the extended period, including Federal and nonFederal share.

The Program Officer must assure that performance progress reports are up to date and include a memo to the Grants Officer recommending approval of the extension.

Those recipients without electronic access are requested to follow the above format in letter form or an email sent to the Program Manager for approval 30 days in advance of the original award end date.

Unfunded Extensions For Recipients With Expanded Authorities

Electronic Recipients with expanded authorities are requested to notify the Grants Management Division through the Grants Online system, when they choose to use their authority to give themselves a one-time unfunded extension of up to one year at the end of the project period. Unfunded extension requests must be received at least 10 days before the end of the original project period.

Those recipients without electronic access are requested to notify the Grants Management Division and the NCCOS Grants Administrator, when they choose to use their authority to give themselves a one-time unfunded extension of up to one year at the end of the project period. Unfunded extension requests must be received at least 10 days before the end of the original project period.

Submit the request by email to Arlene.Simpson-Porter@noaa.gov and Laurie.Golden@noaa.gov or in a letter and include the award number, new expiration date and the reason for the extension.

Grants may not be extended merely to allow recipients to spend unobligated funds.

Following is a sample letter which provides the NOAA Grants Management Division and the NCCOS/COP Grants Specialist with the grant number, new expiration date, and reason for extension. Submit a similar email to Arlene.Simpson-Porter@noaa.gov and Laurie.Golden@noaa.gov.

Sample Email

"Dear Ms. Simpson-Porter and Ms. Golden:

This letter is to inform you that we are electing a one-year unfunded extension for NOAA Grant NA06NOS4780000, which is covered by the Expanded Authorities of OMB Circular A-110, Subpart C, Section 25. The new expiration date is August 31, 2008.

Listed below are reasons for the extension:

Additional time is required beyond the original expiration date of August 31, 2007, to assure completion of the original approved project scope and objectives. Project R/C-E-39 needs to conduct additional sampling to validate unexpected research findings related to the effect of propeller scars on seagrass habitat. Estimated time for completion of the work if August 31, 2008.

We will provide final financial and progress reports at that time.

Sincerely,

Authorized Signer"