Tag: Research Administration

Recognizing that Principal Investigators/Departmental Administrator(s) have first-hand knowledge of the scope of work being performed under a sub award agreement, the review process on invoices from sub recipients who do not receive an external audit (those classified as high risk) has been simplified.

It is no longer necessary to obtain copies of receipts or other documentation to support the invoice.  Invoices from these sub recipients must include a signed certification as to the appropriateness of the charges such as:  “I certify that all expenditures reported (or payments requested) are for appropriate purposes and in accordance with the agreements set forth in the award documents.”  Additional information from the sub recipient is only necessary if the Principal Investigator or Departmental Administrator feels a charge on the invoice is not appropriate for the project.

Please contact Gail Chester in Contracts and Grants at 706-542-9230  with any questions related to this change.  See more information on other current and completed business process improvement initiatives.

As part of the Sponsored Projects Administration Business Process Improvement initiative, the process for fringe benefits adjustments has been streamlined by now allowing an accounting Journal Voucher (JV) to move fringe benefit charges off of a restricted account for any amount when necessary.

Previously a JV was allowed for an adjustment up to $25, but for amounts greater than $25, either a payroll JV was needed or a PAR adjustment was required to maintain the salary distribution percentage and benefits distribution percentage. Fringe benefits charges can be moved to a related unrestricted account within the same function category, such as research to research (RR to GR) or public service to public service (RE to GE) or a restricted discretionary account (i.e., residual balance, IDC return (900), RX accounts).

For more information, contact your Contracts & Grants representative. To see more information on this improvement and other current and completed business process improvement initiatives, please click here.

The Administrative Action Request Form (AARF) is now only to be used for pre-award and pending award approvals.  The new AARF can be found on the Office for Sponsored Programs website at https://spa.uga.edu/.  This is a first step in a continuing effort toward simplifying prior approval processes, thus further reducing administrative burden for faculty.

Please contact your departmental administrator or OSP representative for more information.  If you would like to see more information on this and other current and completed business process improvement initiatives, please click here.

UGA continues to support process improvement initiatives that facilitate the conduct and administration of research and other sponsored projects.

Through a collaborative effort by the Office of the Vice President for Research and the Vice President for Finance and Administration, a work group comprising research faculty and staff was assembled to focus on key operational processes and organizational activities and make recommendations for business process improvements to enhance support for UGA’s research and sponsored project activities.

As a result of the Work Group’s efforts, a report was issued containing 41
recommendations to improve the infrastructure for the administration of
sponsored programs. These recommendations encompass four areas of
emphasis:
1. Customer service and training;
2. Research administrator support and distribution;
3. Communication between central offices and with campus units; and
4. Institutional risk tolerance

To build on the efforts of the Research Administration Work Group, a
group of UGA faculty and administrators will be working with a consultant to
complete an independent review of UGA’s research and sponsored project
administrative infrastructure and the business processes supporting research
and sponsored projects.

The information gleaned from this independent review will inform and guide UGA in creating and implementing a plan for improving sponsored project and research administration infrastructure throughout UGA.