Award Management

Award Terms and Conditions:  Award Documents generally will adopt, by reference, standard provisions associated with programmatic and administrative regulations that apply to the award as well as other sources of legal authority that a recipient must follow as a condition of receipt of federal funds.  These standard provisions mirror the assurances that were provided by an applicant during the pre-award stage and often restate those responsibilities. By accepting an award, PSU agrees to abide by these provisions. 

Spending Grant and Agreement Funds:  Expenditures on a project must be made in accordance with university policy and the terms of the award.  There are multiple mechanisms that can be used to spend award funds, depending upon what is being paid for or purchased.

Purchases of goods and services on sponsored awards must be made using PSU’s standard procurement mechanisms in accordance with PSU procurement policies. In addition, purchases funded in whole or part with federal funds must comply with the Procurement Standards in section 200.318 of the Uniform Guidance (UG).

Allowable and Unallowable Costs:  Costs charged to a sponsored project are subject to the requirements outlined in PSU's Sponsored Awards Charging Policy.  Any unallowable cost charged to a project will be transferred to the Principal Investigator's PIN account or other discretionary account. If sufficient funds are not available in the PI's discretionary account, the costs will be transferred to an unrestricted fund in the PI's department.    

Budget Monitoring: Principal Investigators/Project Directors must closely monitor their entire research portfolio to assure that the terms and conditions of each sponsored award are being followed and that funds are being expended in accordance with  PSU policies. Costs incurred in excess of the budget authorized by the sponsor will be transferred to Principal Investigator's PIN account or other discretionary account. If sufficient funds are not available in the PI's discretionary account, the costs will be transferred to an unrestricted fund in the PI's department. 

Project Changes: Deviations from the project plan and budget are common in the administration of sponsored projects.  Some can be made at the discretion of the Principal Investigator/Project Director, others require prior approval from the sponsor before making certain changes during the award period.

Project Reporting:  Reports are used by sponsors to monitor the recipient's financial and program performance and meet regulatory and/or statutory requirements.  Common reports include financial reports and programmatic/performance reports.