1. Overview

   This policy provides for the approval and endorsement of proposals soliciting external funds in support of research and other activity at Ohio University.

   The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP), Vice President for Research, has the responsibility for assisting all eligible investigators in identification of sources of support for research and other activities, assistance with preparation of proposals, and all non-financial administrative oversight of grants, contracts, and other support agreements, excluding unrestricted student financial aid and charitable gifts.

   All proposals for external support of research and other sponsored activity, exclusive of unrestricted student financial aid and charitable gifts, must be signed by the Vice President for Research or his or her designee prior to submission to a prospective sponsor.

   All contracts, agreements, or other documents committing university resources and accepting external funds must be signed by the Vice President for Research or his or her designee.

   The Assistant Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs has been designated by the Vice President for Research as an authorized institutional official to approve and endorse all proposals for both the main campus and all regional campuses.

   Deans of colleges or regional campuses, Principal Investigators (PIs), Project Directors (PDs), department chairs, school directors, center or institute directors, etc., are not authorized to endorse proposals to potential sponsors, nor to negotiate and execute agreements and contracts that commit university resources.

2. Process

   The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) reviews and approves proposals based on format, content, adherence to guidelines, and university policy.

   Proposals may be prepared for submission by Principal Investigators (PIs) or Project Directors (PDs) on behalf of Ohio University. Please refer to Policy 19.050.

   Prospective proposals require minimum documentation criteria to be met before approval will be granted. Please refer to Policy 19.050. Proposals that are not processed in accordance with Policy 19.050 may not be granted institutional approval.

   Successfully funded proposals require minimum criteria to be met before account activation will take place. Please refer to Policy 19.045.

   Proposals for external support of research and other sponsored activity must include the maximum Facilities and Administrative Cost (F&A) recovery (also referred to as indirect cost or overhead). Please refer to Policy 19.053.

Reviewers

Proposed revisions of this policy should be reviewed by:

1. Vice President for Research

2. Vice President for Finance and Administration

3. Vice President for University Advancement

4. Council for Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities

5. Associate Deans for Research

6. Faculty Senate

7. Administrative Senate

Forms, References, and History

1. Forms

   There are no forms that are specific to this policy.

2. References

   The following items are relevant to this policy:

   1. Policy 19.045, "Administering External Grants and Contracts."

   2. Policy 19.050, "Submission of Proposals for External Support of Research or Other Activities."

   3. Policy 19.053, "Distribution of Research Incentive Funds."

3. History

   Draft versions of this policy that were circulated for review, their cover memos, their forms, and Reviewers' comments on them are available on the password-protected Review site.

   Prior versions of this policy were approved on:

   1. February 1, 1995

   2. April 21, 1986

   3. May 19, 1976

   4. October 15, 1971