Finding the right match between funding source and proposed project and thereby significantly minimizing the cognitive dissonance, is an important step in the proposal process. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs has a team of highly experienced professionals to assist faculty, staff, and students in the successful identification and negotiation of all pre-award phase of extra-mural funding sources. Partial listing of some of the pre-award resources is presented below:
Given the complexity of some solicitations, it is not possible to anticipate every question that can arise during proposal preparation. However, the ORSP prepares for questions like: What certifications are required? How should subcontracts be budgeted and negotiated? What is “off-campus?” Is approval needed from an institutional review committee? Can sponsored funds be used for facility renovations?
Typical ORSP input to the proposal development process includes:
Once a grant has been awarded the grant must be mangaged. ORSP's Post-Award administration ensures successful management of this grant through the following:
ORSP reviews all award terms and conditions; in conjunction with the PD/PI to fully understand the technical aspects of the project. Award terms relating to cost principles, payment, property, intellectual property, legal issues, etc. are also reviewed by ORSP in concert with other individuals/Offices (e.g., Legal Counsel, Business Office – Special Projects.)
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs provides support and assistance to Project Director (PD)/Principal Investigator (PI) throughout the lifecycle of a grant. Once a grant has been awarded, the PD/PI, acting as an agent for Lincoln University, is responsible for managing the grant, and ensuring that award requirements are fulfilled in a timely manner.
In the course of the negotiation, the ORSP consults with the Project Director (PD)/Principal Investigator (PI), administrators, and other administrative offices as needed. The negotiation process ranges from a few days to several months. When negotiations are concluded, a Notice of Award is issued.
During the process, it is important to pay attention to some key factors, such as:
PD/PIs are required to submit performance reports to federal, state and local agencies on the fiscal and performance status of a grant. Like financial reports, performance reports provide an indication of how the PD/PI is accomplishing the goals of the award. PD/PIs are expected to monitor the performance of all activities to ensure that time schedules are met, proposed work is completed and other performance goals are achieved. Performance reports should describe the following:
Closeout of a grant is the process by which the federal, state, or local agency determines that all applicable administrative action and all required work on the grant have been completed by the grantee. The three key features of closeout are as follows:
When a PD/PI has materially failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a grant, the agency may, upon notice to the grantee, suspend the grant. Suspension can be imposed on all or only a portion of a grant. Suspension is a temporary measure pending either corrective action by the PI or a decision by an agency to terminate the grant.
If a grantee fails to comply with the terms and conditions of a grant or to remedy a situation under suspension, a grant can be terminated in whole or in part at any time.
