If you mean work not directly related to the proposed aims, the answer is generally yes (you received a grant rather than a contract), but there is a governing policy in considering the degree and nature of any change in scope for the overall project itself: <a href="http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2013/nihgps_ch8.htm#_Toc271264934">http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2013/nihgps_ch8.htm#_Toc271264934</a> ???In general, the PD/PI may make changes in the methodology, ap