GrantWISE CoP - APR Section B

Topics Covered

  • Encumbered/committed funds are excluded from carryover calculations; carryover = remaining G5 balance minus encumbered funds.
  • G5 is the authoritative source for actual expenditures; state accounting reports may differ but discrepancies must be resolved.
  • Continuation funding decisions are based on encumbered amounts plus drawdown activity — large unexplained balances trigger scrutiny.

Key Concepts Clarified

  • Encumbered funds: Funds committed via contracts, personnel agreements, or planned events, etc. — promised to be spent but not yet drawn down from G5.
  • Carryover: Remaining G5 balance minus encumbered funds; must be explained with a plan for use in the next budget period.
  • Drawdown: Funds actually withdrawn from G5; visible to OSEP and used to verify spending claims.
  • Terminology varies by state (encumbered vs. obligated vs. committed) — align language with your own budget office.

APR Budget Section Guidance

  • Specify the carryover amount and explain how it will be spent in the next period.
  • Include encumbered amounts by category (personnel, contracts, events) to help project officers make the continuation funding case.
  • Arkansas exemplar highlighted: encumbered amount and carryover provided as well as what carryover will be spent on.
  • If nothing has been drawn down despite reported encumbrances, this is a red flag — verify with budget office immediately 

No-Cost Extension

  • Request via email to project officer at least 10 days before performance period ends; earlier is better 
  • Submission must include: remaining budget amount, planned use by activity with dollar amounts, and reason funds weren't spent within 5 years 
  • Always request a full year extension 
  • Verify that the amount reported to the project officer matches G5 before submitting
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