What is the Grant Date?

A grant date is the date on which a stock option or other equity-based award is granted to the recipient. The grant date is considered to be that date on which an employer and an employee agree upon the most essential terms and conditions associated with the award. If shareholder approval is needed, then the grant date is considered to be delayed until that approval has been obtained, unless shareholder approval is considered to be perfunctory. The same consideration applies when approval by the board of directors or a member of management is required.