Post-award
Change in Scope
A significant shift in a project's aims or direction, which requires the sponsor's prior approval.
A change in scope is a departure from the aims, objectives, or approach the sponsor approved: dropping an aim, adding a substantially new line of work, changing the PI, or shifting a large share of effort or budget. It always requires prior approval.
The hard part is recognizing one: a series of small rebudgets or personnel changes can add up to a scope change even when no single step seems major.
Why it matters
Drifting into a new scope without approval can make costs unallowable and put the award at risk.
Related terms
Track this in GrantsManager
GrantsManager gives PIs and administrators one real-time view of proposals, awards, budgets, and compliance, so terms like this stop living in spreadsheets.