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Are there legal limits on the amount of time EPA can extend the length of periods of performance of a grant if we cannot perform it within the original period of performance?

Yes, although the limits are not the same for all EPA grants. When EPA awards funds to recipients, the funds are “obligated” in EPA’s financial management system and remain available for expenditure throughout the project period for the grant as long as the funds are not “cancelled” by operation of law.  Grants funded from EPA’s Science and Technology (S&T) and Environmental Programs and Management (EPM) appropriations are subject to the requirements in Public Law 106-377 (PDF) for expenditure within 9 Federal fiscal years from the effective date of the appropriation unless Congress specifies otherwise.  On the other hand, grants funded from EPA’s Superfund, State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG), and Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) appropriations are “no year” appropriations that generally remain available until expended.

Return to Frequent Questions about Grants and Coronavirus (COVID-19).