During the course of a program, a PI/PD may find it necessary to deviate from certain conditions imposed in an award, such as those of performance period, budget, etc.

Some deviations from award conditions can be approved by UM as a result of expanded authorities provided in OMB Circular A-110, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, for federally funded programs.

Other deviations require prior approval in writing by the agency. Most federal agencies have both a program officer and a contracting officer. While the program officer is generally responsible for the technical aspects of the program, the contracting officer is typically involved in any agency-required approvals. When agency prior approval is required for an action, written concurrence of both the contracting officer and the program officer is often necessary.

The ORSP, in coordination with the Accounting Office, processes all requests that are allowed by expanded authorities granted to The University of Mississippi or that require prior approval by the sponsor. The UM Prior Approval System for Federal Grants and Agreements, to be used for such requests, is posted on the ORSP Award Management - Forms page.