Processing an Award - Award Notification

Overview

Post-award grant and contract administration begins when the University receives notification of the award. The process continues through the life of the award and through financial and technical closeout of the grant or contract.

Post-award administration at the central administration level is carried out jointly by Research Administration and the Controllers Office/Resaerch Accounting Services (RAS). Research Administration is responsible for most aspects of post-award administration process at the Health Sciences Center (HSC) Campus. RAS is responsible for most aspects of post award administration at all other University campuses. In the following guidelines, Research Administration /RAS will specify responsibilities by campuses. Research Administration or RAS alone will denote separate responsibilities for departments, regardless of campus location. That is, if the project is located at HSC, Research Administration is responsible. If the project is located on any other campus, RAS is responsible.

University Policy On Project Administration

Most grants and contracts are awarded to the University and not to an individual investigator. The University designated Research Administration /RAS as the departments responsible for review and approval of all expenditures of funds from sponsored agreements. However, the daily administration of fiscal and technical aspects of a grant or contract remains the responsibility of the principal investigator. Investigators continue to be responsible to their Dean and ultimately to the Provost for the project.

Responsibilities Of The Principal Investigator (PI)

During the life of the project the PI is responsible for:

• meeting the approved goals and objectives of the award;
• managing the award effectively;
• staying within the approved budget;
• conducting research or other sponsored projects responsibly;
• avoiding conflicts of commitment or interest (real or apparent);
• completing and filing all technical reports, including final technical reports as required by the funding agency;
• cooperating in any audits that may be required by the University or funding agency;
• adhering to University policies and procedures related to administration of the award;
• adhering to University procurement and expenditure policies and procedures and
• complying with University safety and health requirements by maintaining a safe environment for the conduct of the sponsored activity.