In the event of conflicting regulations or guidance, which authority prevails?

The correct answer, federal statute, prevails in the event of conflicting regulations or guidance because it represents the highest form of law within the hierarchy of legal authority. Federal statutes are enacted by Congress and hold binding legal weight, meaning that they take precedence over regulations created by agencies or any guidance issued by federal, state, or local governments.

When discrepancies arise among program regulations, agency guidance, or organizational policies, they must all align with applicable federal law. Regulations are often derived from statutes, and while agency guidance can provide clarity on how to implement regulations, it does not supersede existing laws.

In practice, this hierarchy ensures that individual rights and obligations established by federal law are upheld, while also providing a structure for resolving conflicts that might arise among less authoritative sources of guidance. Therefore, understanding the supremacy of federal statutes is crucial for effective grants management and compliance.