Federal grant compliance checklist
All 310 requirements in 122 sections of the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), one per row, in plain English. Mark each one in place, a gap, or not applicable, assign an owner and note your evidence. The summary tab counts gaps by topic.
A look inside
| Citation | Section | Topic | What you must do | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 CFR 200.303 | Internal controls | Financial management | Establish, document, and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award providing reasonable assurance of management in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations… | Not reviewed ▾ |
| 2 CFR 200.318 | General procurement standards | Procurement | Maintain and use documented procurement procedures for all procurement transactions under the Federal award or subaward (acquisition of property or services), consistent with… | Not reviewed ▾ |
| 2 CFR 200.332 | Requirements for pass-through entities | Eligibility | Before subawarding, the pass-through entity must verify the subrecipient is not excluded or disqualified — i.e., not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from receiving… | Not reviewed ▾ |
| 2 CFR 200.334 | Record retention requirements | Records | Retain all Federal award records — financial records, supporting documentation, and statistical records — for three years from the date of submission of the final financial… | Not reviewed ▾ |
| 2 CFR 200.344 | Closeout | Closeout | Submit ALL final reports (financial, performance, and any other award-required reports) no later than 120 calendar days after the period of performance ends; subrecipients submit… | Not reviewed ▾ |
| 2 CFR 200.501 | Audit requirements | Reporting | A non-Federal entity that expends $1,000,000 or more in Federal awards during its fiscal year must have a single audit (or, if eligible, a program-specific audit) conducted for… | Not reviewed ▾ |
Six of 310 rows. Each row links to its plain-English page and the regulation text.
How to use it
- Filter to what applies. Filter by subpart (post-award, cost principles, audit) or by topic. Not every rule applies to every award.
- Set a status for each row: in place, a gap, or does not apply. Gaps turn red; rules that don’t apply grey out.
- Assign owners and record evidence: the written policy, procedure or record that shows you meet it. That is what an auditor or program officer asks for.
- Layer on your agency and award terms. NIH, NSF, DOJ, ED and other agencies add their own requirements, and your award letter can add more.
Not sure whether a rule applies to you?
Upload your award terms or the funding notice and ask. Grantable answers from its compliance database of federal, agency and state rules, with citations to the regulation.
Checklist questions
What should a grant compliance checklist include?
For federal grants: registration (SAM.gov and UEI), financial management and internal controls, allowable costs and indirect rates, procurement, subrecipient monitoring, property and equipment, reporting, record retention, closeout and audit. Add your agency’s rules and your award’s specific terms on top. This checklist covers the Uniform Guidance requirements, one per row.
Is this a post-award grant management checklist?
Mostly, yes: the majority of Uniform Guidance requirements apply while you manage the award. It also includes the pre-award and cost rules you commit to in your application, so you can use it before you apply to check your budget and certifications.
How do I use the checklist for an audit?
Mark each requirement as in place, a gap, or not applicable, and record the evidence for the ones in place: the written policy, procedure or record an auditor would ask for. The Summary tab shows gaps by topic. Organizations spending $1,000,000 or more in federal awards in a year need a single audit under 2 CFR 200.501.
Plain-English summaries for information only, not legal advice. Always check the regulation text, your award terms and your agency’s guidance.