# Managing and Monitoring Subawards Course

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/managing-and-monitoring-subawards-course>

## Overview

Managing and Monitoring Subawards is a two-day, practice-focused course that covers the full lifecycle of subrecipient oversight from pre-award risk assessment through closeout. It focuses on how pass-through entities meet monitoring responsibilities while supporting subrecipient performance and reducing compliance risk.

Participants learn to distinguish subrecipients from contractors, assess risk, structure subaward agreements, implement risk-based monitoring, and respond to noncompliance with clear documentation and defensible decisions aligned with federal requirements and audit expectations. Realistic scenarios and applied exercises build practical skills for protecting federal interests while keeping programs on track.

## What you'll learn

- Distinguish subrecipients from contractors under federal regulations
- Apply pre-award risk assessment to subrecipient selection
- Draft and manage compliant subaward agreements
- Design risk-based subrecipient monitoring strategies
- Interpret financial and performance information from subrecipients
- Identify early warning signs of noncompliance or performance failure
- Respond appropriately to subrecipient findings and issues
- Document monitoring activities and decisions defensibly
- Coordinate corrective actions, technical assistance, and enforcement
- Manage subaward closeout and record retention requirements

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Subrecipient versus Contractor Determinations

- Apply regulatory criteria to distinguish subrecipients and contractors.
- Understand implications of misclassification.
- Document determinations defensibly.

#### Module 2: Pre-Award Risk Assessment for Subrecipients

- Identify key subrecipient risk factors.
- Use risk information to inform subaward decisions.
- Avoid over-reliance on past audit results.

#### Module 3: Structuring and Issuing Subawards

- Identify required subaward agreement elements.
- Incorporate appropriate terms and conditions.
- Align subaward structure with risk.

#### Module 4: Financial Oversight of Subrecipients

- Monitor subrecipient financial activity.
- Identify allowability and cash management risks.
- Link financial oversight to corrective action.

#### Module 5: Performance Monitoring and Program Oversight

- Assess subrecipient performance against objectives.
- Identify performance risks and red flags.
- Use monitoring results to support program outcomes.

#### Module 6: Risk-Based Monitoring Strategies

- Design proportional monitoring approaches.
- Integrate desk reviews and on-site reviews.
- Adjust monitoring based on emerging risk.

#### Module 7: Addressing Subrecipient Noncompliance

- Identify common subrecipient compliance failures.
- Determine appropriate responses under 2 CFR 200.
- Escalate issues when necessary.

#### Module 8: Corrective Actions and Technical Assistance

- Develop effective corrective action plans.
- Use technical assistance to address root causes.
- Track and document corrective actions.

#### Module 9: Documentation and Audit Readiness

- Maintain complete subrecipient monitoring files.
- Prepare for audit and oversight review.
- Avoid common documentation gaps.

#### Module 10: Capstone Simulation – Managing a Subaward

- Apply subaward management concepts to a realistic scenario.
- Identify risks, findings, and appropriate responses.
- Document decisions suitable for audit review.

## Schedule
- Jul 27, 2026 – Jul 28, 2026 — Live Online
- Nov 23, 2026 – Nov 24, 2026 — Live Online

## Instructors

### Seitu Stephens, J.D. — Instructor

Seitu I. Stephens, J.D., is a nationally recognized trainer and consultant in federal grants management, compliance, and program oversight. With more than two decades of experience working with federal, state, territorial, and nonprofit organizations, he specializes in helping agencies and grant recipients design, manage, and monitor federally funded programs in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200).

Mr. Stephens has trained hundreds of grant professionals across government agencies, community-based organizations, and institutions of higher education. His instruction focuses on practical strategies for managing federal awards, structuring and monitoring subawards, ensuring financial accountability, preparing for audits, and strengthening internal controls to protect federal funds and program outcomes.

He has developed and delivered numerous professional development courses on topics including grant program design, risk assessment, subrecipient monitoring, procurement under federal awards, and audit preparation. His courses combine regulatory expertise with real-world case studies that help participants translate complex federal requirements into effective operational practices.

In addition to his training work, Mr. Stephens advises organizations on strengthening grant management systems, improving compliance frameworks, and building sustainable partnerships between government agencies and community-based organizations.

Mr. Stephens holds a Juris Doctor degree and is widely respected for his engaging instructional style and his ability to make complex federal grant regulations clear, practical, and actionable for practitioners.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1050