HUD NOFO Glossary of Terms
Key terms for federal grant applications and housing policy research. Source: HUD PD&R Glossary PDF.
A
- ALN (Assistance Listing Number)
- A five-digit number identifying a specific Federal funding program on SAM.gov. The HUD Housing Policy Research Grant ALN is 14.536.
- Allocable Costs
- Costs that can be fairly assigned to a federal award based on the benefit the award receives. Must be tracked and documented.
- Allowable Costs
- Costs permitted to be charged to a Federal award — must be necessary, reasonable, consistent, and adequately documented per 2 CFR Part 200.
- AOR (Authorized Organization Representative)
- Individual authorized to legally bind the applicant and submit applications through Grants.gov.
- Award
- Financial assistance provided by the Federal Government to carry out a public purpose — includes grants and cooperative agreements.
B
- Budget Period
- The specific time span during which approved project costs may be incurred and charged to the award.
C
- Closeout
- The process by which HUD formally completes an award after all work is finished and reporting requirements are met (2 CFR § 200.344).
- Code of Conduct
- A written policy preventing, identifying, and addressing conflicts of interest when spending Federal award funds (2 CFR § 200.318(c)).
- Cooperative Agreement
- A Federal assistance award where HUD expects substantial involvement in carrying out the funded activity — distinct from a grant.
- Cost Sharing / Matching
- The portion of total project costs not paid with Federal funds. Not required for NOFO PDR-2600-DC-029M.
D
- De minimis Indirect Cost Rate
- A 15% indirect cost rate on Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC), available to entities without a negotiated rate (2 CFR § 200.414(f)).
- Direct Costs
- Costs clearly and directly linked to a specific award activity — salaries, data purchases, computing, travel, subrecipient costs.
- Disallowed Costs
- Costs determined by HUD to be unallowable under regulations, statutes, or award terms. Must be repaid if identified.
E
- E-Biz POC
- E-Business Point of Contact — the individual managing Federal system registrations and authorizing AORs in SAM.gov.
- Effective Date
- The date an award officially begins. Costs may only be charged on or after this date.
- Eligibility Requirements
- Mandatory conditions an applicant must meet to be considered for funding. Failure in any criterion means no review.
F
- F&A Costs (Indirect Costs)
- Facilities and Administrative costs that support multiple activities. Also called indirect costs.
- FAIN (Federal Award Identification Number)
- A unique number assigned by HUD to identify a specific federal award for tracking, reporting, and audit purposes.
- FFR (Federal Financial Report)
- SF-425 form used to report financial information for a federal award — submitted quarterly.
G
- GTR (Government Technical Representative)
- The HUD official responsible for technical oversight — approves work plans, reviews deliverables, provides guidance.
- Grants Officer
- The HUD official authorized to execute, amend, and administer federal awards — handles financial and administrative authority.
I
- Intangible Property
- Non-physical property of value — copyrights, patents, data, software, licenses created under a federal award.
- Intellectual Property
- Creative works and innovations including research methods, data, software, and publications. HUD retains a Government Purpose License.
K
- Key Personnel
- Individuals named in the application critical to carrying out the project. Changes require HUD prior approval.
L
- LOCCS (Line of Credit Control System)
- HUD's system for requesting and receiving grant funds on a reimbursement basis.
M
- MTDC (Modified Total Direct Costs)
- Cost base for calculating indirect costs — includes salaries, fringe, materials, services, travel, and first $25K of each subaward.
- MWP (Management and Work Plan)
- Detailed plan showing tasks, timelines, milestones, staffing, and deliverables. Subject to HUD approval.
N
- NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity)
- Formal announcement describing available federal funding, eligibility, application instructions, and deadlines.
- NOI (Notice of Intent)
- PD&R's mechanism for receiving unsolicited research proposals on a noncompetitive basis.
O
- OTA (Office of Technical Assistance)
- Division within HUD PD&R that manages the lifecycle of research and technical assistance awards.
- OZ (Opportunity Zone)
- Designated low-income census tracts offering tax incentives for investment through Qualified Opportunity Funds.
P
- PD&R (Office of Policy Development and Research)
- HUD's research office responsible for building evidence on housing and community development policy.
- Period of Performance
- The total time span of the award during which work may be performed and costs incurred.
- Prior Approval
- HUD's written authorization required before certain actions — budget revisions, scope changes, or unusual costs.
R
- Recipient
- The organization that receives a federal award directly from HUD and bears primary responsibility for compliance.
S
- Section 3
- HUD Act of 1968 requirement that employment and contracting opportunities from HUD-funded projects go to low-income persons.
- Subrecipient
- An entity that carries out part of the award's scope under a subaward from the recipient — distinct from a contractor.
- SF-424
- Standard form used as the face page for federal grant applications.
- SF-LLL
- Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form required with federal grant applications.
T
- Technical Assistance
- Support services to help recipients comply with grant requirements and achieve program outcomes.
U
- UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)
- A 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned by SAM.gov — required for all federal grant applicants.
- Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200)
- The set of federal regulations governing grant administration, cost principles, and audit requirements.