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Sponsored Project Administration


Sponsored Project Administration

Mandatory Training

June 15, 2000

 

Handouts

Table of Contents
 
 
 

 

What Every P.I./Administrator Should Know

 

General Rules

  • Read the Guidelines 
  • Talk to a program officer
  • Follow all instructions
  • Share proposal drafts with colleagues
  • Get to know institutional rules
  • Get to know institutional processes
  • Understand who the key players are and their roles
  • Ensure PI status and obtain institutional approval, if necessary
  • Cost must be related to the project that they benefit
  • Cost must be reasonable – would a ��prudent person�� find these costs to be reasonable?
  • Allocate cost benefiting multiple projects:
  • Based  on proportionate benefit received, where possible
  • Based on any reasonable basis, where necessary
  • Cost may not be assigned based on fund availability, award expiration date or other inappropriate criteria
  • Charges may not exceed project award
  • Pre-award costs, where permitted, are limited to 90 days before start date
  • Unexpended funds may often, but not always, be carried forward
  • Read and follow terms and conditions

 

 

Major Federal Regulations

  1. Office of Management and Budget Circulars (http://www.financenet.gov/financenet/fed/omb/omb.htm) 
    • A-21
          Cost Principles for Educational Institutions

        Defines allowable and unallowable costs on grants and contracts, and how to determine F&A, or indirect costs

    • A 110

      Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Nonprofit Organizations

        Defines the general, pre-award, post-award and after-the-award requirements for the management of grants and contracts

 

    • A 133

      Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Institutions

        Specifies audit requirements for organizations, and defines the federal responsibilities for implementing and monitoring those requirements. 

        1. Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) (http://www.arnet.gov/far/)

            Established to codify the uniform policies for the acquisition of supplies and services by executive agencies, normally applied to Requests for Proposals and Federal Contracts 

            1. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html)

              The Implementation of the laws passed by congress; A listing of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government, covering such subjects as the protection of human subjects, Patents, and Inventions 

              1. Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) Terms and Conditions (http://www.nsf.gov/home/grants/grants_fdp.htm)
              • A set of guidelines meant to reduce administrative for institutions managing federal grants, and increase research productivity by standardizing and simplifying federal regulations and requirements.
              1. Agency Specific FDP Terms and Conditions 
                • Agency Specific Regulations:
                  • NIH (PHS) Grants Policy Statement (http://www.nih.gov/grants/policy/gps/)
                  • NSF Grant Policy Manual    (http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?gpm)
                  • NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Handbook (http://ec.msfc.nasa.gov/hq/grcover.htm)
                  • Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (http://web7.whs.osd.mil/html/32106r.htm)
                  • Education Department Grants Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) (http://ocfo.ed.gov/grntinfo/edgar.htm)
                  • Other Federal and Non-Federal Regulations (http://web.fie.com/cws/sra/resource.htm#FA)

               

              Performance Periods

              • Necessary to incur cost within performance and pre-award period 
              • May generally extend performance period through no-cost extension 
              • Unused funds not sufficient reason for no-cost extension 

               

              Unallowable Costs

              • ��Unallowable cost�� is a federal term denoting a cost not reimbursable under federal grants and contracts. 
              • Federal regulations prohibit certain costs, most common: 
              • Alcoholic beverages
              • Entertainment
              • Fines and penalties
              • Fundraising/alumni activities
              • Internal interest charges
              • Meals
              • Student aid, except in the case of  training awards
              • Travel tickets in excess of coach

               

              • Individual awards may designate additional costs as ��unallowable��
              • University Financial Policy No. 1013 addresses unallowable costs 
              • Unallowable costs may be charged to other sources when appropriate 
              • Unallowable costs are charged to unique subaccounts or 6-digit accounts 
              • Any costs not reimbursable by the sponsoring agency will become the responsibility of the PI/department 

               

              Cost Sharing/Matching

               

              Cost sharing/matching represents costs of carrying out a project not charged to the project/award. 

              Types of cost sharing: 

              1. Required cost sharing or matching is a programmatic requirement – often expressed as a percent of budget request or by requirement of faculty effort without compensation. Required cost sharing should generally not exceed amount required
              1. Voluntary cost sharing is not required, but is sometimes offered to enhance a proposal��s competitiveness. Voluntary cost sharing, including effort without salary recovery, must be prudently allocated. 
              1. Implicit cost sharing occurs when an agency places a cap or limit on budget items; e.g. NIH salary cap 
               

              General Rules/Guidelines: 

              • Commitments to cost share must be approved by the institution
              • Source of cost sharing must be secured prior to submission of proposal
              • Cost sharing commitments on Federal projects cannot be satisfied from other Federal projects
              • Cost sharing must be readily verifiable from University records
              • Cost sharing commitments over $100,000 require prior approval of University Budget Office and Provost

               

              Salary/Effort Commitments and Reporting

              • P.I. determines level of effort to be committed by personnel 
              • Personnel effort shown on budgets should be in accordance with agency guidelines 
              • Salary caps apply only to relevant agency, National Institutes of Health 
              • Salaries charged should be consistent with effort 
              • Significant variances in effort require redistribution 
              • No redistribution required for short-term fluctuations 
              • Monthly effort monitoring reports provide guidance to departments 
              • Annual October effort certification by exempt employees and academic staff confirms effort 
              • Time card system constitutes effort certification for non-exempt employees 

               

              Travel and Business Expenses

               

              • Generally limited to commercial coach fare and U.S. carriers
              • Meals other than the traveler's are unallowable ��Business�� meals 
              • Entertainment expenses are unallowable 
              • Expenses must conform with University Financial Policy No. 1202  
              • Must conform with University guidelines for ��Buying and Paying for Goods and Services�� 

               

              Equipment Purchases

              • Definition of equipment has changed to $5,000 unit cost 
              • Justify equipment needs at budget stage, include make and model 
              • General purpose, as opposed to specialized scientific, equipment requires special justification  
              • If equipment cost is allocated to sponsored award, principal purpose must be project-related 
              • Equipment purchases during the last 60 days of terminal year may be problematic 
              • Rebudgeting into or out of equipment impacts indirect cost recovery 
              • Equipment items are added to University��s inventory, must be tagged and are surveyed regularly 
              • University has title to most equipment, but Sponsor may choose to retain title 
              • Sponsors require reporting of equipment they retain title to and may require reporting of other equipment 

               

              Indirect Costs

               

              Includes costs such as: 

              • Facilities (utilities, maintenance, security, etc.)
              • Libraries
              • Departmental administration (school/division/department)
              • General administration (President, Provost, Legal, URA, Comptroller, Purchasing, etc)
              • Depreciation of building and equipment
               

              Indirect costs are charged by multiplying a defined based of expenditures by a rate 

              • Most federal awards have rates applied to MTDC – modified total direct costs
              • Most non-federal awards (industry, non-profit and clinical trials) have rates applied to TDC – total direct costs 
              • Federal rates are fixed by a negotiated agreement between the University and its cognizant agency 
              • Separate federal rates for on-campus and off-campus activities 
              • University policy provides for full indirect costs unless funding agency policy requires a lower rate 
              • Waiver of indirect costs requires institutional approval, is discouraged and is rarely approved for federally sponsored projects. 
              • When lower rate is applied, the institution loses real dollars 
              • Only URA (or in BSD, ORS) should contact sponsor to verify policy and rates 
              • Types of rates for different functions: 
              • Research 
              • Instruction 
              • Other Sponsored Activities 

               

              Consultants/Subcontracts

              • University personnel cannot be compensated as consultants on University administered projects 
              • Some agencies have limits to what a consultant may charge per day 
              • To hire a consultant on a sponsored project requires completion of Sponsored Consultant Agreement-The Sponsored Consultant Invoice should be used to request payment (See URA website at http://www.uchicago.edu/adm/ura/
              • Consultants must be independent contractors in keeping with IRS requirements 
              • Agency approval is required to subcontract 
              • Subcontractors included in a proposal must submit a budget, statement of work and letter/cover sheet indicating institutional approval  
              • Subcontract agreements are negotiated by URA 

               

              Budgeting/Rebudgeting

               

              Budgeting should reflect program needs within confines of agency policy

              • Budget should meet test for allowability and reasonableness
              • Justification of all costs required, but certain categories are especially sensitive:
                • Non-project specific general office supplies
                • Clerical and administrative salaries
               

              Rebudgeting occurs when spending differs from budget

              • Modest rebudgeting generally allowed without agency approval
              • Rebudgeting of 25% or more may be problematic (e.g. signals a change in scope of work)
              • Significant rebudgeting of key personnel time indicates a scope change
              • Rebudgeting may affect indirect cost recovery and amount of funds available for direct costs
              • Obtain agency approval where required

               

              Cost Transfers

              • A cost transfer moves expenses from one 10-digit account to another. 
              • Cost transfers are needed to distribute clearing account expenses, correct salary distribution estimates, correct clerical and bookkeeping errors, transfer pre-award costs, etc. 
              • Cost transfers may cause questions during an audit 
              • University Financial Policy No. 2111 addresses cost transfers 
              • Guidelines for processing cost transfers are on the Web      

                    (http://admin-www.uchicago.edu/AdminCompt/CostTran/contents.html

              • Transfers should be the exception, not the routine
              • Transfers should be done on a timely basis 
              • Transfers must explain why the transfer is necessary 
              • Explanation that simply states ��to correct error�� is not sufficient; how error occurred must be explained 

               

              Program Income

              • Program income is income directly generated from a sponsored project award 
              • Federal regulations address how income may be used to: 
              • increase award funds
              • fund required cost sharing/matching
              • decrease award funds
              • University Financial Policy No. 2107 addresses program income 

               

              Monthly Account/Financial Reviews

              • P.I.s and their administrators should review accounts monthly 

               

              • Use of administrative staff encouraged but P.I. must be active in monthly review
              • University provides standard accounting reports 
              • Monthly AMO 90, Account Statement in Whole Dollars
              • Monthly AMO 91, Report of Transactions
              • Monthly and Biweekly Payroll Registers  
              • Review reports to ensure that: 
              • Costs are allowable
              • Cost allocations comply with University Financial Policy No. 2109
              • Costs, which should have been charged, are reflected
              • Charges are consistent with P.I.��s expectations
              • Reports reconcile to other financial reports given to the P.I.
              • Significant variances from the budget are identified
              • Process corrections and reallocations promptly 
              • Cost transfers should be made within 90 days

               

              Agency Reporting

               

              Terms and conditions outline programmatic, financial and other required reporting 

              1. Programmatic reporting
              • May be required annually in advance of next budget period award
              • Responsibility of P.I. to complete
              • Some reports require institutional review and approval
              • Final program report required
              • PI must confirm reporting to URA
               

              2. Financial Reporting

              • P.I./Administrator should make final review of expenditures for allowability
              • Department/Comptroller��s Office are responsible for financial reporting
              • Reporting is based on:
                • Expenditures in FAS
                • ��Closing Memo�� prepared by P.I. and/or administrator
              • P.I. should review to ensure concurrence

               

              Invoicing

              • Generally done by the Comptroller��s office 
              • Some invoices require special reports, which would require department��s assistance to complete 

               

              Recharge Centers

              • Charges from recharge centers must be in compliance with University Financial Policy No. 1005 
              • Prices must be based upon actual costs and applied consistently 

               

              Regulatory Compliance

              • Projects involving radioactivity, animals, human subjects, biohazardous materials require special approvals by University oversight committees 
              • Agencies require evidence of oversight approval (timing requirement varies) 
              • Projects may not be initiated nor FAS accounts set up without regulatory approvals 
              • University complies with federal, state and local regulations 
              • University applies policies to projects regardless of funding source 

               

               

              Other Research Related Policies

              • Administered through the Provost Office 

                 (see http://ap-www.uchicago.edu/UCPOL/UCPOLidx.html)

              • Academic Fraud
              • Conflict of interest
              • Patent Policy
              • Information Technology Resources

               

              Indicators of Problems

              • Unauthorized or inappropriate charges 
              • Unallowable costs
              • Improper cost allocations
              • Overdrafts
              • Assignments of costs based on fund availability or project expiration
              • Frequent delinquent cost transfers
              • Equipment purchases near end of project

               

              Know Your Resources

              • UC Adminet Web Site  

                 (http://www-uccomp/adminres/armenus/announce.html)

              • Office of Special Projects (http://www2.uchicago.edu/adm-spec-proj/)
              • URA Web Site (http://www2.uchicago.edu/adm-ura/)
              • BSD/ORS (http://ors.bsd.uchicago.edu/index.html)
              • GrantsWeb (http://web.fie.com/cws/sra/resource.htm#FA)

               

              Important Definitions

               

              Academic fraud--a deliberate effort to deceive, including plagiarism, fabrication of data, misrepresentation of historical sources, tampering with evidence, selective suppression of unwanted or unacceptable results, and theft of ideas. 

              Advance account-- an account that is set up in the University's accounting system (FAS) prior to the award documents being received from the funding agency. An advance account is open as of the beginning date of the anticipated award period. 

              Allowable overdraft--the University has agreed to extend credit to the investigators in certain circumstances when the award has been fully spent or before new or renewed budget authority has been received. Specific procedures must be followed in order for any overdraft to be considered allowable. 

              Amendment--any change to a contractual agreement needing official signature. 

              Authorized signature--the signature of a University official who is designated to give assurances, make commitments, and execute such documents on behalf of the University of Chicago as may be required by federal and state agencies and other organizations which provide financial assistance to the University; the signature of an authorized official certifies that commitments made on grant proposals or contract agreements can be honored; and ensures that all sponsored agreements conform to federal regulations, agency guidelines, and University policies. 

              Biological Sciences Division /Office of Research Services (BSD/ORS)--Office designated by the Dean of the Division of Biological Sciences to review and provide divisional approval for all proposals  to Federal and other external sponsors (excluding gifts) assuring compliance with divisional policies.   Office oversees regulatory compliance for institutional animal care and use committee, BSD-institutional review board,  human use of radioisotopes and radioactive drug research committee, institutional biosafety committee.  Director of ORS has been delegated signature authority for University approval of certain NIH and several nonfederal proposals 

              Budget--the amount of spending authority awarded by outside funding sources that the University has a legal claim to collect. 

              Clinical trial-- an agreement to test drugs, devices, or other controlled substances for FDA approval or for-profit corporations. A clinical study involves the use of humans; a pre-clinical study may involve animal subjects. The clinical study indirect cost rate of 20% TDC applies only to studies involving humans. See Guideline 302, "Negotiating Non-Federal Contracts," attached Memorandum of Agreement for Clinical Studies, 302A 

              Conflict of Interest--When an individual's personal or private interests might lead an            independent observer to reasonably question whether the individual's professional actions or decisions are determined by considerations of significant personal interest, financial or otherwise. For purposes of federal regulations and this policy, a conflict of interest exists when a significant financial interest could directly and significantly affect the design, conduct or reporting of a sponsored project. 

              Continuing or continuation support--on-going support provided by an agency that has been awarded for more than one funding period. A continuation proposal is normally submitted at the end of each budget period in order to receive the next increment of funding. Continuation proposals may be competing (i.e., they are placed in competition with other proposals for funding) or non-competing (they may be referred to as renewal

              proposals) 

              Contract--a written, legal agreement between an institution and an awarding agency normally involving the expectation of an economic benefit on the part of the contractor and the generation of a tangible product, service, or other consideration in return for sponsored support. These might include testing or evaluation of proprietary products, development or construction of equipment, rights to data, patents, copyrights, technical reports or evaluation, consulting services. This definition is taken from a memorandum dated June 16, 1983 from Alexander Sharp, Vice President for Business

              and Finance, entitled "Definitions of Gifts, Grants, and Contracts." 

              Cost sharing--a requirement of some funding agencies that an institution share in the costs of a project. Funding for these costs may come from another source, from the University's own funds, or from a reduced indirect cost rate. Personnel effort on a project without salary recovery may be considered cost sharing. 

              Dean--A University official with managerial and fiscal responsibilities; each school, division, or college is administered by a dean under the supervision of the Provost of the University. 

              Department Head--A University official with managerial and fiscal responsibilities for a designated area, such as department chair, center director, institute director. 

              Deputy Provost--The chief academic official designated by the Provost as the person responsible for the direction and guidance of the University��s research mission. 

              Direct costs--costs that are directly related to the project. 

              Encumbrances--a specific amount of funds that has been set-aside in an account for the receipt of an order or the payment of an invoice. Encumbrances reduce the available balance of an account. 

              Extension in time--see definition, no cost extension

              Facilities and Administration Costs ��F&A��rate—federal rate, see indirect costs for explanation 

              Form 70 Request for a Restricted Funds Accounts - Ledger 5 and 6--This form is a Comptroller's Office form which is used by departments in order to request Restricted Funds to set up an account. The form is routed through the Divisional Dean's Office, the Office of Research Administration and/or Development for review and approval prior to being forwarded to the Comptroller's Office for processing. 

              Gift funds are classified as gifts if the following characteristics exist:

              1. Funds are given voluntarily without expectation of any tangible compensation.
              2. Under ordinary circumstances, the funds are awarded irrevocably
              3. Funds are given for unrestricted use or for general support restricted to a specific area or purpose. Beyond a possible designation of use, the donor does not impose contractual requirements on the award
              4. any subsequent reporting on the use of the funds to the donor is not a condition of the receipt of the funds.
               

              Grant--Like a gift (see definition, gift), grants are given voluntarily, without expectation of tangible compensation; however, one or more of the following characteristics exists:

              1. the award is directed at satisfying specific grantor requirements. Toward this end, a proposal submission or award letter may contain terms specifying the scope of work or line of inquiry, performance targets, timeframe, level of personnel, etc.
              2. A line item budget detailing expenditures by activity, function, and project period must be adhered to as a condition of funding. Deviations from the approved budget may require the approval of the grantor
              3. The award involves issues requiring University review including the use of human subjects or laboratory animals assignment of patents or copyrights, ownership of data or equipment, allocation of University space, or research involving recombinant DNA, radioactive or biohazardous materials
              4. A specific period of performance is proscribed, or termination is at the discretion of the grantor
              5. Unexpended funds must be returned to the grantor at the end of the grant period
              6. There are provisions for audits by or on behalf of the grantor
              7. The grantor requires a detailed financial report and/or technical report at intervals during the grant period or upon completion of the grant program.
               

              Group project--a center/program project for which a proposal is submitted with identifiable and separate budgets.  

              Indirect costs—costs which are not directly charged to a project but are associated with the cost of doing research, training or other sponsored activities (e.g., costs for general operations such as utilities, building operations, library services, purchasing, etc.). Federal indirect cost rates are negotiated with the federal government or the agency providing the award, while the institution sets the non-federal and clinical trial rate. 

              ��In-kind�� contribution—Often required by agencies.  Includes those contributions that are made by the University in support of a project which are not auditable (Ex: space, investigator��s effort). 

              Matching funds--funds raised from other sources to increase the level of support provided by the granting agency. The granting agency will provide additional funds equal to the private matching funds raised for the project. Normally, this is done on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Federal funds may not be used for matching on another federal project. Unlike cost sharing, neither personnel effort against the project nor reduction in indirect costs can be used for the matching component. Some Federal agencies require matching in order to receive an award. 

              Memorandum of agreement--a contractual arrangement between the University of Chicago and a corporate sponsor which stipulates the terms and conditions under which specific work is performed; these terms and conditions include scope of work, period of performance, payments, patents, publication, advertising, use of experimental compounds or drugs, human subjects, indemnification, and reports. See Guideline 302, "Negotiating

              Non-Federal Contracts," attached memoranda of agreement, sections 302A and 302B. 

              Modified total direct costs (MTDC)--indirect costs on federally sponsored projects are generated against modified total direct costs, which are: total direct costs less equipment, internal patient care charges, University of Chicago Computing Organizations computer charges, scholarships, fellowships, and other student aid, subgrants and subcontracts over $25,000 ($5,000 would be excluded from the direct cost base in a subcontract of $30,000)

              and Physical Sciences Division central shop charges.  

              Narrative report--a report submitted by an investigator on the progress and/or status of a project supported by sponsored funds. Narrative reports are part of the conditions of many sponsored agreements; may be submitted as an interim report, with continuation proposals, requests for supplemental funding, or at the termination of a sponsored project. 

              No cost extension--a request to extend the period of performance for a project, without additional funding. 

              Office of the Comptroller--The Comptroller, at the direction of the Board of Trustees  has supervision over the financial records and accounts of the University. The Comptroller is responsible for keeping proper books of accounts adequately setting forth  the financial condition and transactions of the University and shall devise proper methods of accounting and internal controls for all departments of the University. 

              Overdrafts--an individual account in which the expenditures and encumbrances have exceeded the budget. An account is considered to be in overdraft if there is a negative balance available, regardless of the cause. 

              Oversight committee--a University committee charged with the responsibility of reviewing the protocol of every research project as it relates to specific health and safety concerns. It is not the responsibility of an oversight committee to judge the scientific merit of the proposed research, only to verify that the research being conducted poses minimal health and safety risks. Projects which use animals or humans as subjects, use University students as research subjects, involve a biohazardous agent or radioactive material, or use a radioactive isotope on a human subject must have the approval of one

              of the University's oversight committees 

              Pre-award costs--costs, which are incurred before the beginning dates of an award, or budget period but can be associated with the research project. 

              Principal investigator-- The primary person in charge of a research grant, cooperative agreement, training or service project, clinical study, contract, other sponsored project or material transfer agreement.  Usually a faculty member holding a regular appointment although other employees may be approved to serve as P.I.s  in some sponsored projects, the P.I. may be referred to as the project director.  This person is responsible for directing the research and for insuring that all terms and conditions of a sponsored agreement are met 

              Program income—Income derived that is earned as a result of an award funded activity.

              For Grants, awarding agencies must comply with section 24 of A-110. 

              Proposal--a set of documents containing a descriptive narrative of an idea and a budget to be submitted to a funding agency for sponsored support.  Some agencies require that proposals be submitted on preprinted forms while others have no specific format. 

              Protocol--the methodology used in conducting a sponsored project 

              Provost--The chief academic and administrative officer for all academic units, including the college, the divisions, schools and centers.  The Provost oversees the University��s compliance with all academic research policies. 

              Rebudgeting--changes made to the sponsored agreement's awarded budget. 

              Restricted funds—(A) funds awarded to the University of Chicago from outside sources for restricted purposes. The majority of restricted funding is given in the form of research support for faculty members at the University. The sources are: (1) the federal government, in the form of grants and contracts (ledger 5 in the University's Accounting System [FAS]) and (2) private donors, foundations, and corporations in the form of gifts, grants, and contracts (ledger 6 in the University's Financial Accounting System [FAS]). This definition is taken from a document dated June 1986 developed by Joyce

              Freedman, then Associate Comptroller, entitled "Training Guide: Grant and Contract/Financial Management.".  Also (B) RESTRICTED FUNDS

              The unit of the Comptroller��s Office that is responsible for the financial accounting, reporting and collecting of funds for federal and other sponsored project awards.  Also, this unit is responsible for preparing the Indirect Cost Proposal and negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement with the Federal Government. 

              Sensitive Foundation-- One for which clearance is needed before a faculty member or academic unit may approach the foundation to request support.  Sensitive Foundations are defined by one or more of several criteria:

              1. Foundations that have stated that they want to receive only institutional-priority proposals with presidential endorsement. This includes both foundations that have restricted-nomination competitive fellowships, and those that consider proposals for broader institutional projects.
              2. Foundations with which the President or a University Trustee has a personal relationship and for which he or she needs to be kept informed of all approaches.
              3. Foundations that pose the possibility of adverse publicity for the University because of prior controversies.
              4. Foundations that are primarily giving vehicles for individual donors and/or University Trustees. This may be the largest category on the list because most are Chicago-area organizations. These foundations are approached only infrequently by individual faculty of programs whose proposals would go through Research Administration; they are included on the list because those rare approaches can create great problems if not coordinated with other efforts.

              The list is updated annually in January, and available at the URA website at the following URL: http://www.uchicago.edu/adm/ura/guidelines/G200/sens/fdns.html 

              Sponsored project--an activity that is funded from outside the University, from federal or non-federal sources. 

              Sponsored research agreement--see memorandum of agreement. 

              Supplement-- an increase in the amount of funding by the sponsor to an existing award. Supplemental funding increases the award and may extend the award period 

              Technical report--see definition, narrative report.  

              Unit Administrator--An employee responsible for providing administrative support of one or more sponsored projects  This position may include a wide variety of roles and position titles including faculty service representative, account manager, grants & contracts administrator, administrative assistant, pre-award administrator post-award administrator, account assistant, project assistant, secretary, etc. 

              University Research Administration (URA)--Office designated by the University with the responsibility to review and provide institutional endorsement for all proposals to Federal and other external sponsors (excluding gifts), assuring compliance with University policies and sponsor terms and conditions.  URA is the institutional authority for the negotiation and acceptance of financial support or other contractually binding obligations in the form of a contract, grant, or agreement, including material transfer agreements and clinical trials.  URA is  the authorized institutional official for post-award actions necessitating  agency approvals such as a request for a change in P.I., rebudgeting or no-cost extension.. 

              (See URA website at http://www.uchicago.edu/adm/ura/guidelines/GB/B.1.html for more information) 

               

              Identifying Funding Opportunities

               

              1. Resources
              • URA Web site (http://www2.uchicago.edu/adm-ura/)
              • URA electronic distributions
              • IRIS
              • Fed-X
              • BSD communication tools & Resources
                • Biomedical Sciences Report
                • Faculty Awards Committee Bulletin
                • Professional periodicals
                • ORS Web site
                • Signals
                • E-signals
              • Mentors/colleagues
              • Service on study section/review committees
              • Current and past funding sources  
              1. Determining appropriateness 
              • Read the guidelines
              • Determine appropriateness for:
                • The institution?
                • The individual?
                • The project?
              1. Searches  
              • Custom searches
              • Funding opportunity notification systems
              • IRIS-Alerts
              • Fed-X
              • NSF Custom Search
              • Ad-hoc searches
              • Agency Web pages
              • URA training program - using search tools

               

              Award Review with the PI

               

              Terms & Conditions (T&C) 

              • Article 1 of NSF T&Cs require that, ��the Principal Investigator or Project Director receives a copy of the award conditions, including the award letter, the budget, the general terms and conditions, any special terms and conditions, and any subsequent changes in the award conditions.��
              • FDP General T & Cs

                      Article 1 Recipient responsibilities and federal requirements

                      Article 2 Allowable costs and prior approvals

                      Article 3 Programs of related projects

                      Article 4 Payment

                      Article 5 Significant project changes

                      Article 6 Non-competitive or continuation award requirements

                      Article 7 Financial reports

                      Article 8 Final report requirements

                      Article 9 Dissemination of project results

                      Article 10 Acknowledgement of support and disclaimer

                      Article 11 Data collection

                      Article 12 Site visits

                      Article 13 Pre-award costs

                      Article 14  Extensions without additional funds

                      Article 15 Equipment and real property

                      Article 16 Alteration and renovation

                      Article 17 Use of U.S.-Flag air carriers

                      Article 18 Financial management system

                      Article 19 Procurement system

                          Article 20 Program income

                      Article 21  Unobligated balances and limit of federal liability

                      Article 22 Patents and inventions

                      Article 23 Audits and records

                      Article 24 Termination and enforcement

                      Article 25 National security

                      Article 26 Nondiscrimination

                      Article 27 Animal Welfare

                      Article 28 Research involving recombinant DNA Molecules

                      Article 29 Clean air and water

                      Article 30 Human subjects

                      Article 31 Activities abroad

                      Article 32 Debarred or suspended parties

                      Article 33 Closeout

                      Article 34 Rights in data

                      Article 35 Changes 

              • Special terms & conditions

                What controls are needed to ensure compliance?

              • Program and budget revisions
              • Cost principles
              • Period of availability of funds
              • Program income requirements
              • Cost sharing requirements
              • Equipment management requirements
              • Program (technical) reporting requirements
              • Financial reporting requirements
              • Budget

                Compare award budget to proposal budget

                What is the impact of the changes

                Are additional funds needed?

                Can work be revised without changing scope?

                Is there an impact on other awards?

                Develop a budget management strategy

                Taylor to the specific award

              • Develop reporting mechanism

                Reconcile reports back to FAS�� AM090, 91 Reports

                Establish reporting formats & schedule

              • Budget
              • Payroll appointments

                Verify compensation budget

                Individuals to be charged

              • Review Financial Policy No. 2101, PI Responsibilities for Financial Oversight of Grants and Contracts

               

              Referenced Conditions & Documents - Federal Grants

              1. OMB Circulars 
              • A-21:  Cost Principles for Educational Institutions
              • A-110:  Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations
              • A-133:  Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-ProfitOrganizations
              1. Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) terms and conditions & agency specific terms and conditions 
              • Research awards from:  NSF, NIH, NASA, Energy, Air Force, Army, EPA, ONR & USDA
              1. Agency Policy Statements 
              • NSF Grants Policy Statement
              • NSF Grants Policy Statement
              • NIH Grants Policy Statement
              • NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Handbook
              1. Federal Contracts 

                 Consists of 4 parts

                    Part I: The ��Schedule��

                  Section A: Solicitation information and may contain administrative information, instructions

                      Section B: Description of the supplies or services

                      Section C: Specifications and statement of work

                      Section D: Packaging and marking requirements

                      Section E: Inspection and acceptance requirements

                      Section F: Requirements for delivery and performance

                      Section G: Contract administration

                      Section H: Special contract requirements

                    Part II: Contract clauses

                      Many clauses are sited

                      Clauses that warrant particular attention include

                        52.216-7 Allowable cost & payment  (Reference OMB Circular A-21)

                      1. Limitation of cost-Applies to ��fully funded�� contracts, and requires notification when cost thresholds are approached

                        52.232-22 Limitation of funds

                            Applies to incrementally funded contracts

                        Requires notification as cost thresholds on allotted funds are approached 

                              52.244-2 Subcontracts

                                      Requires contracting officer approval

                                  52.245-5 Government property

                                      Maintenance and management requirements

                                  Unless specifically stated in the ��Schedule��, title vests with the government

                                  35.014   Addresses equipment title subject 

                                  Part III: List of documents, exhibits and other attachments

                                  Part IV: Representations and instructions

                             

                            Institutional Information

                             

                            IPF (Institutional Profile Number): 1413601

                             

                            Duns (Data Universal Numbering System):  005421136 

                            TIN (Tax Identification Number):  362-177-139 

                            CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity):  5E688 

                            SIC (Standard Industrial Classification):  8221 

                            Congressional District:  01 

                            Illinois House:  25 

                            Illinois Senate:  13 

                            University of Chicago, Year Founded:  1890 

                             

                            Useful Web Sites

                             
                            The following are some of the most useful web sites relating to Sponsored Program Management.  It is not meant to be a comprehensive listing. As web links are constantly evolving, addresses may go stale.  Happy surfing.
                               
                            UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO WEB SITES
                            The University of Chicago homepage www.uchicago.edu
                            AdminNet adminet.uchicago.edu
                            University Research Administration www.uchicago.edu/adm/ura
                            BSD/Office of Research Services ors.bsd.uchicago.edu
                            BSD Animal Resources Center arc.bsd.uchicago.edu
                            BSD Academic Affairs oaa.bsd.uchicago.edu
                            Restricted Funds http://adminet.uchicago.edu/admincompt/comptroller/rfunds_index.html
                            Managing Research Grants http://adminet.uchicago.edu/adminres/arcontents/proc_serv/sponsor.html
                             
                            Managing Finances
                             
                            http://adminet.uchicago.edu/adminres/arcontents/proc_serv/fis.html
                               
                               
                            FEDERAL AGENCIES
                            Centers for Disease Control (CDC) www.cdc.gov
                            Department of Commerce (incl. NIST) www.doc.gov
                            Department of Education www.ed.gov
                            Department of Engery www.doe.gov
                            Department of Health & Human Services (NIH, CDC, etc) www.os.dhhhs.gov
                            Department of Transportation www.dot.gov
                            Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) www.epa.gov
                            Food and Drug Administration (FDA) www.fda.gov
                            National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) neh.fed.us
                            National Institutes of Health (NIH) www.nih.gov
                            National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) www.noaa.gov
                            National Science Foundation (NSF) www.nsf.gov
                            Office for Protection from Research Risks grants.nih.gov/grants/oprr/oprr.htm
                            US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) www.usda.gov
                            CFDA (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) www.gsa.gov/fdac/queryfdac.htm
                            US Federal Government Agencies www.lib.lsu.edu/gov/fedgov/html
                            FEDIX (multiple agency listings) www.fie.com
                            Federal Web Locator www.law.vill.edu/fed-agency/fedweb.exec.html
                            FedWorld Information Network www.fedworld.gov
                               
                            NON-GOVERNMENT SITES
                            Foundation On-Lin www.foundations.org
                            Foundation Center www.fdncenter.org
                            American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
                            American Heart Association http://www.americanheart.org/
                            National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) www.ncura.edu
                            Society of Research Administrators web.fie.com/cws.sra/sra.htm
                            Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) www.crpc.rice.edu/autm
                            Society of Research Administrators (SRA) http://www.srainternational.org/cws/sra/sra.htm
                            SRA��s Grants Web http://www.srainternational.org/cws/sra/resource.htm
                               
                            AGENCY APPLICATION KITS
                            AFOSR, ARO,DOE,NASA, PHS, NSF, ONR & Standard Forms engineer.tamu.edu/tees/trs/forms.html
                            TRAM Electronic Forms (electronic versions for many agencies) http://trsweb.tamu.edu/Forms/index.html
                            National Institutes of Health http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm
                            National Science Foundation http://www.nsf.gov/home/grants/grants_forms.htm
                               
                            University of Chicago Forms:  
                            University Research Administration http://www.uchicago.edu/adm/ura/ura/ura_forms.html
                            BSD/ORS forms (including protocol submission forms) http://ors/FG/
                               
                            REGULATORY INFORMATION
                            Code of Federal Regulations www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html
                            Federal Register www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html
                            Legistative Updates thomas.loc.gov
                            NIH Grants Policy Statement grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/
                            OMB Circluars www.whitehouse.gov/wh/eop/omb#docs
                               
                            University of Chicago Regulatory Information:
                            Human Subjects http://ors.bsd.uchicago.edu/HS/
                            Vertebrate Animals http://ors.bsd.uchicago.edu/AUC/
                            Biohazardous Materials http://ors.bsd.uchicago.edu/IBC/index.html
                            Radiation http://ors.bsd.uchicago.edu/RC/
                            Chemicals http://ors.bsd.uchicago.edu/CHEM/

                             

                             

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