Grants Management Training Course

Introduction

The success of development projects hinges on securing and effectively managing grants. Grants are often the financial backbone of these initiatives, enabling progress and fostering impactful outcomes. However, the true challenge lies not only in securing funding but in demonstrating the ability to manage these resources responsibly, transparently, and in compliance with donor requirements. The Grants Management Training Course is specifically designed to equip participants with essential skills in managing the full lifecycle of grants—from pre-award planning to post-award implementation, compliance, and reporting. This comprehensive training goes beyond the basics, providing participants with best practices, practical tools, and real-world examples for navigating the complexities of grant management. Participants will gain hands-on experience in ensuring their projects stay on track, meet donor expectations, and maximize their potential for sustainable impact. Through interactive exercises and expert-led sessions, this course empowers professionals to enhance their grant management capabilities, offering actionable insights that can be applied immediately to their current and future projects.

Course Objectives

By the end of this Grants Management Training Course, participants will be able to:

• Handle pre-award activities to effectively set programs on the right path.
• Oversee post-award start-up, operational, and closeout processes.
• Ensure full compliance with funder requirements and contractual agreements.
• Manage grant finances with precision.
• Accurately report on grants management progress to stakeholders.

Duration

5 Days

Who Should Attend

This Grants Management Training Course is ideal for:

• Grants management officers/managers
• Financial managers
• Project managers of donor-funded projects

Course Content

Introduction to Grants Management

• Key principles of grants management
• Relationship between grants management and project development
• Overview of important grants-related terminologies

Overview of Project Award Types

• Grants
• Contracts
• Cooperative agreements
• Subcontracts

Types of Grants

• In-kind grants
• Standard grants
• Mixed grants

Grants Lifecycle

• Pre-award activities: Planning, Proposal Submission, Grant Award
• Post-award activities: Implementation, M&E, Amendments, Reporting, Closeout

Elements of Grants Application

• Grants preparation and planning
• Developing project goals and objectives
• Finalizing and submitting a competitive grants application

Grants Budgeting

• Understanding grants budgeting
• Essential elements of grants budgets
• Budget development and management

Accounting Essentials for Grants

• Accounting for multiple grants and awards
• Tracking matching funds and in-kind contributions
• Developing a structured account code system

Compliance

• Financial and procurement rules
• Ensuring donor and legislative compliance
• Maintaining cultural and community compliance

Contract Management

• Assessing and negotiating contracts
• Contract management for grant-funded projects

Internal Control in Grants Management

• Establishing a control environment
• Conducting risk assessments
• Implementing control activities and monitoring

Grants Reporting

• Financial and narrative reporting
• Completing evaluations and amendments

General Notes

• The Grants Management Training Course is delivered by seasoned trainers with extensive experience in grants management and project development.
• Training will include a mix of theoretical insights, practical activities, group work, and real-world case studies.
• Participants will receive detailed training manuals and additional resources for future reference.
• A certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of the course.
• Tailored courses are available to meet specific organizational needs. Contact us at training@skillsforafrica.org for more information.
• The training will take place at the Skills for Africa Training Institute in Nairobi, Kenya.
• The training fee covers tuition, materials, lunch, and the venue. Accommodation and airport transfers can be arranged upon request.
• Payment should be made to our bank account before the training starts, with proof of payment sent to training@skillsforafrica.org.