NASA Grants and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM): An Overview
NASA, the United States’ space agency, promotes research and exploration in space, aeronautics, and science. NASA awards grants and cooperative agreements to researchers, institutions, and organizations across the country to advance the agency’s mission. To ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance with federal regulations, NASA developed the Grants and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM), a comprehensive guide that outlines the policies, procedures, and requirements for managing NASA-funded projects.
The GCAM provides guidance to grant recipients and NASA personnel on all aspects of grants and cooperative agreements, from pre-award to closeout. The manual covers topics such as proposal preparation, award negotiation, budgeting, reporting requirements, intellectual property, cost sharing, audit and inspection, and termination. It also includes templates, forms, and checklists to facilitate compliance and communication between NASA and its partners.
The GCAM applies to all types of grants and cooperative agreements, including research grants, education and public outreach grants, small business innovation research (SBIR) and small business technology transfer (STTR) grants, and international agreements. The manual also applies to subawards and contracts issued by grant recipients under NASA-funded projects.
One of the core principles of the GCAM is to ensure that NASA-funded projects are awarded and managed in a fair, objective, and transparent manner. For example, the manual requires that proposals be evaluated based on merit, relevance, and technical excellence, and that the selection process be free from conflicts of interest. It also requires that awardees comply with federal laws and regulations, such as the Anti-Kickback Act, the Davis-Bacon Act, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
Another key requirement of the GCAM is to ensure that NASA-funded projects are cost-efficient and effective. The manual provides guidance on budget preparation, indirect cost rates, allowable and unallowable costs, and cost-sharing requirements. It also requires that awardees monitor and report on project performance, milestones, and deliverables, and that NASA personnel conduct periodic reviews and evaluations of funded projects.
The GCAM also addresses intellectual property and data rights, which are crucial considerations for many NASA-funded projects. The manual requires that awardees identify and protect their intellectual property, and that they grant NASA a license to use and disseminate project results for public benefit. It also provides guidance on data management, sharing, and access, and requires that awardees comply with NASA’s data sharing policies and guidelines.
Overall, the Grants and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM) is an essential resource for anyone involved in NASA-funded projects. By following its guidelines and requirements, grant recipients and NASA personnel can ensure that projects are awarded and managed fairly, effectively, and efficiently, and that the agency’s mission is advanced in the most impactful way possible.