Changes in Objective or Scope
Principal Investigators (PI) must obtain sponsor approval before changing the objective or scope of any grant or contract.
Examples
- Change in specific aim approved at time of the award
- Any change from approved use of animal or human subjects
- Shifting the emphasis of research from one area to another
- Applying a new technology from that proposed
- Transferring the performance of substantive work to a third party (subcontractor)
- Change in those designated as “key personnel” by the sponsor
- Significant re-budgeting
Budget Revisions
When budget revisions are required, the terms agreed to in the grant award must be followed. Some sponsors require a written request for budget revisions and some require requests based on a percentage of the total per category. Any budget revision request should be forwarded to OSP in writing. OSP will confirm with the agreement and sponsor, if necessary, prior to altering the grant budget in the grants management module. The budget revision must be reviewed and approved by the PI once complete.
No Cost Extensions
To initiate a one-time extension of the award expiration date of up to 12 months, the funding sponsor must be notified of the extension at least ten days prior to the original termination date. This extension may not be exercised solely for the purpose of using any unobligated balance.
PI Change
If during the tenure of your grant there needs to be a change in the principal investigator, notification must be sent to OSP and the program officer (or prime PI in the case of a subaward). OSP will work with the sponsor or prime awardee to process the necessary request documents to enact the change.
Incoming PI may have to provide a biosketch, current and pending support or other information. The incoming PI’s home department number and employee id are required for establishing the PI change once approved.
Those changes requiring approval from the awarding sponsor should be described in a letter from the PI to the appropriate sponsor official. The OSP director will review each request. The letter must be approved/signed by both the PI and the OSP director. Once the letter has been approved, OSP will forward the request to the sponsor. In lieu of a signed letter, many agencies will now accept an email from OSP.
