|
The Grants and
Research Administration
Policy Handbook
Preamble
"At William
and Mary, teaching, research, and public service are linked through
programs designed to preserve, transmit, and expand knowledge. Effective
teaching imparts knowledge and encourages the intellectual development
of both student and teacher. Quality research supports the educational
program by introducing students to the challenge and excitement of original
discovery, and is a source of the knowledge and understanding needed
for a better society. The university recognizes its special responsibility
to the citizens of Virginia through public and community service to
the Commonwealth as well as to national and international communities.
Teaching, research, and public service are all integral parts of the
mission of William and Mary." (Excerpted from the College's Mission
Statement)
To further
the research mission of the College and help achieve a goal of the Strategic
Plan "[t]o encourage the research, scholarly and creative activities
of the faculty and increase external funding for research," the Office
of Grants and Research Administration (a.k.a., "The Grants Office") has
as its mission:
To
provide effective and efficient pre- and post-award services to the faculty
and staff in the Faculty of Arts & Sciences and Schools of Business,
Education, and Law, at the College of William & Mary. We endeavor
to foster a supportive environment for those engaging in externally sponsored
research and programs by facilitating the pursuit of external funding
and the management of awards, and by establishing policies and procedures
that minimize administrative burdens while protecting the interests of
the College.
The Grants Office
performs four basic functions:
- reviewing
and approving proposals and awards for sponsored programs,
- serving
as the University's negotiating and executing office for sponsored program
agreements and relationships,
- interpreting
the regulatory and contractual administrative requirements/terms of
these relationships; and
- distributing
information received concerning external funding availability to appropriate
faculty.
A sponsored
program is an award from an external source (the "sponsor") for an agreed
purpose with sufficient custodial responsibility to warrant unique administrative
accountability. It is established by an agreement, usually called a grant
or a contract, between W&M and the sponsor. It generally requires that
the College do some or all of the following:
- provide
a fiscal report subject to audit, which implies formal liability for
the College
- return
funds/goods not consumed
- perform
a defined scope of work
- maintain
confidentiality of information
- submit
a detailed report of performance
- provide
something of value to the sponsor; and
- comply
with terms/conditions set by the sponsor.
This differs
from a gift which has the characteristics that it is irrevocable,
and that W&M has full discretionary control over its use, though the
purpose for which it is used may be specified broadly by the donor.
Gifts are administered through the Office of University Development.
If there is a question as to whether an activity for which external funding
is sought constitutes a sponsored activity or a gift, the Grants Office
and the Development Office will determine what procedures should apply.
More information on the difference between
a grant and a gift can be found in our Seeking
External Funding Manual.
We hope this
handbook will be of benefit to you by providing answers to basic questions
regarding seeking, proposing and managing sponsored programs. Our staff
is available to assist you anywhere in this process as needed. Good luck
and best wishes for success in the future!
|
