When is it allowable for a grant recipient to use grant funds to pay for meals?
Generally, when a speaker is provided or other work is being done during breakfast or lunch at a conference or workshop, it is allowable to use grant funds to pay for meals for the participants. It is also generally allowable to use grant funds to pay for light refreshments offered during breaks at conferences or workshops. The specific event at which meals and/or light refreshments will be provided must be described in the scope of work. Meals and light refreshments provided at a grant recipient’s staff meetings are not allowable, nor are refreshments for receptions. Meals and receptions where alcohol is served are not allowable even if the grant funds are not used for the alcohol.
Generally, when a speaker is provided or other work is being done during breakfast or lunch at a conference/workshop or field trip, it is allowable to use grant funds to pay for meals for the participants. It is also generally allowable to use grant funds to pay for light refreshments/snacks offered during breaks at conferences/workshops or field trips. The specific event at which meals and/or light refreshments/snacks will be provided must be described in the scope of work. Meals and light refreshments provided at a grant recipient’s staff meetings are not allowable, nor are refreshments for evening receptions. Meals and receptions where alcohol is served are not allowable even if the grant funds are not used for the alcohol. Evening banquets paid for with grant funds are not allowed, nor is any EPA-funded entertainment. Also not allowed are any sort of EPA-funded events that conduct any fund-raising or involve strategies to solicit contributions, endowments, gifts or bequests. Please
