Acronyms quick reference
AOR
Authorized Organization Representative
Person with legal authority to submit applications for an organization
Definitions
Grant Writing Glossary
This glossary defines the terms and acronyms that come up most often when finding, writing, submitting and managing grants. It starts with an acronym quick reference, then groups full definitions by stage of the grant process. Federal terms reflect U.S. usage under the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200); individual funders may define terms differently, so the funding announcement always governs.
Acronyms quick reference
Acronyms quick reference
ASAP
Automated Standard Application for Payments
U.S. Treasury system for drawing down federal grant funds
Acronyms quick reference
CFDA
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Former name for federal program listings; now Assistance Listings
Acronyms quick reference
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations
Codified federal rules; grant rules sit mainly in Title 2
Acronyms quick reference
COI
Conflict of Interest
Financial or personal interest that could bias grant work or review
Acronyms quick reference
Co-PI
Co-Principal Investigator
Shares leadership responsibility with the PI
Acronyms quick reference
CV
Curriculum Vitae
Academic résumé, often required as a biosketch
Acronyms quick reference
DUNS
Data Universal Numbering System
Former entity ID, replaced by the UEI in 2022
Acronyms quick reference
EIN
Employer Identification Number
IRS tax ID for an organization
Acronyms quick reference
F&A
Facilities and Administrative costs
Indirect costs, especially in higher education
Acronyms quick reference
FFATA
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act
Requires public reporting of awards and subawards
Acronyms quick reference
FOA
Funding Opportunity Announcement
Document inviting applications; also called NOFO, RFA or RFP
Acronyms quick reference
FTE
Full-Time Equivalent
Staff effort expressed as a share of a full-time position
Acronyms quick reference
FY
Fiscal Year
An organization's or government's 12-month budget year
Acronyms quick reference
GAN
Grant Award Notification
Award document used by some agencies, such as ED
Acronyms quick reference
IDC
Indirect Costs
Shared overhead costs not tied to one project
Acronyms quick reference
IHE
Institution of Higher Education
College or university applicant
Acronyms quick reference
IRB
Institutional Review Board
Reviews research involving human subjects
Acronyms quick reference
LOI
Letter of Intent (or Inquiry)
Short pre-application some funders require or request
Acronyms quick reference
LOS
Letter of Support
Letter from a partner or stakeholder endorsing the project
Acronyms quick reference
MOU / MOA
Memorandum of Understanding / Agreement
Written agreement defining partner roles
Acronyms quick reference
MTDC
Modified Total Direct Costs
Base used to calculate many indirect cost rates
Acronyms quick reference
NCE
No-Cost Extension
More time to finish a project with no new funds
Acronyms quick reference
NICRA
Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement
Organization's approved indirect cost rate with the federal government
Acronyms quick reference
NOA
Notice of Award
Official award document setting terms and amount
Acronyms quick reference
NOFO
Notice of Funding Opportunity
Federal funding announcement
Acronyms quick reference
OMB
Office of Management and Budget
Federal office that issues the Uniform Guidance
Acronyms quick reference
PD / PI
Project Director / Principal Investigator
Person leading the project scientifically or programmatically
Acronyms quick reference
PO
Program Officer
Funder staff contact for program content
Acronyms quick reference
RFA
Request for Applications
Funding announcement, common at NIH
Acronyms quick reference
RFP
Request for Proposals
Funding announcement, common in contracts and foundations
Acronyms quick reference
RFQ
Request for Qualifications (or Quotes)
Solicitation focused on qualifications or pricing
Acronyms quick reference
ROI
Return on Investment
Value produced relative to cost
Acronyms quick reference
SAM
System for Award Management
Federal registry every federal applicant must join
Acronyms quick reference
SF-424
Standard Form 424
Core federal application cover form family
Acronyms quick reference
SMART
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
Standard test for well-written objectives
Acronyms quick reference
SOW
Statement (or Scope) of Work
Description of tasks and deliverables
Acronyms quick reference
SPO / OSP
Sponsored Programs Office / Office of Sponsored Programs
Institutional office that manages grants
Acronyms quick reference
TA
Technical Assistance
Support a funder or intermediary provides to applicants or grantees
Acronyms quick reference
TDC
Total Direct Costs
Sum of all direct costs in a budget
Acronyms quick reference
UEI
Unique Entity Identifier
12-character federal entity ID issued through SAM.gov
Acronyms quick reference
UG
Uniform Guidance
2 CFR 200, the core federal grant rules