Auburn University
Auburn University
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AU Home > Office of the Vice President for Research > Intro to Sponsored Programs

How Can We Help You?

  • Assist in interpreting sponsor guidelines and fulfilling application requirements
  • Consult and assist in all phases of budget design and preparation
  • Review proposals for consistency with federal, institutional and sponsor guidelines and requirements
  • Act as liaison between investigators and sponsors in the negotiation of awards
  • Provide guidance to investigators in managing funded projects
  • Assist in preparation of small business subcontracting plans when required by the sponsoring agency
  • Write subcontracts, provide documentation regarding source selection, conduct a cost or price analysis, and monitor subcontractor activities
  • Conduct final negotiations of awards and subcontracts
  • Compile and maintain records of equipment accountability under contracts and grants
  • Assist during close-out of contracts and grants

 

General Roles and Responsibilities

Management Responsibilities of the Principal Investigator
The Principal Investigator (sometimes known as the Project Director or Responsible Person) has primary responsibility for carrying out the project according to the rules and policies of the funding agency and of Auburn University.

1. Follow the awarding agency's requirements, including rules on budgets and expenditures.
2. Check monthly Department Account Statements. Report any errors to Contracts and Grants Accounting (CGA) before month end.
3. Payment of project expenditures or correction of incorrect project expenditures in a timely manner.
4. Monitoring of personnel requirements and assignments to projects.
5. Monitoring of subrecipient performance and payment of their invoices.
6. Timely submission of required progress reports to the sponsor.

Management Responsibilities of the Dean, Director, or Department Head
1. Approve proposals and agreements for sponsored projects before they are submitted to the appropriate Vice President.
2. Make sure that cost sharing commitments are clearly defined in the written agreement and that authorized University contributions are made available to the Project Director.
3. Ensure that the program is carried out through an authorized unit of the University.
4. Ensure that the budget for the program is adequate for the work required.

Management Responsibilities of Contracts and Grants Accounting (Business Office)
1. Fund creation and maintenance
2. Indirect costs
3. Billing, financial reporting and other services during a project
4. Coordination of audits by external auditors

Management Responsibilities of Accounts Payable Office
1. Audit and approve all non-payroll invoices before payment. Enter expenditures into accounting system, issue checks, and maintain original document files.
2. Distribute monthly departmental account statements on or before the 10th day of each month.

Administrative Responsibilities of the Office of Sponsored Programs
1. Approve proposals and awards on behalf of the Institution.
2. Assist the Investigator, Department and College in the interpretation of sponsor guidelines and award terms and conditions.
3. Approve and assist in obtaining post award modifications to projects.
4. Prepare and negotiate subawards under sponsored projects.