Departmental Sponsored Project Accounts

Effective March 1, 2007, we will begin accommodating certain departmental needs by allowing the establishment of departmental sponsored project accounts. This is a modification of the former "departmental research account" structure. The following conditions will apply to these accounts.

1. If the award involves intellectual property or the researcher anticipates that the activities will lead to patentable inventions, approval of ORSP is needed prior to accepting funding under departmental sponsored project account.
2. Funding must be from non-federal sources and may not include federal pass-through funds. Obligations may not include university cost sharing.
3. Funding may only be for obligations based on purchase orders or similar funding documents that do not require a signature. Funds may not be for obligations based on contracts or written agreements. Any project requiring the negotiation and/or signature on a contract or agreement must continue to be routed through the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP).
4. Projects will be charged an administrative charge in accordance with existing University policy (currently 12% on all expenditures).
5. Only awards of $25,000 or less (over the life of the project) may be deposited in these accounts.
6. Departments will assume all responsibility for correctly invoicing, collecting, and depositing funds to departmental sponsored project accounts, accounting for fund expenditures, and assuring that funds maintain positive balances.

Existing departmental research accounts will be treated in accordance with these revised guidelines. Department staff should contact Margaret Hernandez (BO) concerning the establishment of departmental sponsored project accounts.