Prior Approval
Changes to an award that require the sponsor's written OK before you act: scope changes, certain rebudgets, extensions.
Some actions can't be taken unilaterally after award: a change in scope or objectives, a change of PI, significant rebudgeting, carryforward on some awards, foreign activities, or a second no-cost extension. These require the sponsor's prior written approval.
Under expanded authorities, sponsors delegate many routine approvals to the institution, but the high-stakes ones stay with the sponsor. Acting first and asking later risks a disallowed cost.
Taking a prior-approval action without the sponsor's sign-off can void the cost and jeopardize the award.
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.