Grants and contracts for projects are awarded to the University and accepted by the Principal Investigator (PI) and Director of Research Administration, as applicable. The PI accepts full legal responsibility for the funds and for fulfilling the granting agency's requirements. Agreeing to be the PI is accompanied by a responsibility to represent the University and ensure full compliance with the terms, conditions, and regulations governing the grant initiative.

The PI is responsible for the integrity of the project. The PI is responsible for the overall administration of the project, including

• Proper and timely documenting of project activities
• Completing requisitions for purchases
• Initiating personnel forms
• Supervision of personnel in accordance with UW policies and bargaining unit contracts,
• Monitoring and tracking of expenditures and documenting cost share
• Maintaining time and effort reports
• Filing progress reports
• Ensuring that grant activities are completed, monies are fully expended, and project objectives are met
• Submit travel expenses within 30 days of travel (including receipts)
• If your project includes a Memoranda of Understanding with an outside agency or vendor, requests for reimbursement from outside agencies are to be submitted on company letterhead with detailed activities, dates, and authorized signature. The PI must attach documentation to the requisition that authorizes payment as an allowable expense

Grants management is a collaborative effort that requires the support and involvement of many people in various departments. Those with whom you will interact include:

• If applicable, oversees the hiring of PI and locating office space
• Supervises PI and is ultimately responsible for the implementation of grant activities and appropriate expenditure of funds
• Oversees the renovation or modification of space as needed to implement grant activities
• Participates in partnership activities and oversees subrecipient agreements
• Ensures there is no conflict of interest, that human or animal subjects are treated in compliance with regulations, that copyrights and licensing agreements are honored, and that proprietary information is secured
• Ensures that safety and health requirements and procedures are adhered to
• Has signature authority in the absence of the PI
• Works with Research Administration to troubleshoot issues and concerns
• Maintains project equipment inventory list with the assistance of the Business Office

The PI works closely with the Director of Research Administration and staff who will provide assistance in preparing progress reports, troubleshooting problems, and keeping the Institutional Effectiveness office informed on the progress of the grant. Some of the other services include:

• Provides new project director orientation
• Serves as liaison with budget office and with funding agency
• Works with PI to prepare continuation funding documents and close-out reports
• Works with Business Services and the PI in setting up initial budget and initiating MOU's and/or subrecipient agreements, and submits to proper signatory for execution
• Verifies that subrecipient partners are not on the EPL (Excluded Parties List)
• Maintains the official grant file with copies of all correspondence and reports
• In coordination with the PI and Business Services, provides oversight as needed to ensure successful implementation of the project
• Meets with PI as needed to troubleshoot problems, review regulations, and answer questions
• Obtains signatures on legal documents
• In coordination with the PI, assists with budget revisions and requests for modifying the terms of the award
• As requested, assists in preparing progress reports and submitting them to the funding agency
• Works with PI on grant renewals or new proposal submissions
• Works with PI to complete close-out activities and reports at the end of the project period of the grant