Once the award has been accepted by the Chief Investigator, an agreement between the University and the funding body has been signed and all necessary ethics approvals have been obtained, Research Services will arrange for a project account to be opened in Finance and for all necessary invoicing to occur.
Research Services will then notify the first named Chief Investigator and the Finance Team.
There are some instances where funding is required for activities prior to the contract being signed. Ethics approval must be in place before any request can begin.
The Chief Investigator must develop a proposal outlining the activities they want to carry out and the cost of these activities.
The School Dean must approve the request as the risk will remain with the school.
The first named CI will need to liaise with the Senior Finance Officer to arrange access to the funds.
All expenditure must comply with the terms and conditions of the award.
Restrictions will be outlined in the funding rules and other documentation provided by the funding agency at the time of application and/or in the letter of offer or agreement.
It should also be noted that while many awards contain a ‘one-line’ budget, restrictions may still apply.
It is therefore important that the CI or the School contact Research Services if there is any uncertainty over fund expenditure.
Where there is a requirement to vary expenditure from what is outlined in the agreement or similar, Research Services should be approached with a view to obtaining approval from the funding agency.
Research Services should also be consulted where funds need to be carried over from one year to the next.
This is especially important where there may be a need to access the funds after the agreed end date of the award.
Please read the conditions of the award carefully to ensure compliance with carryover requirements.
Manager, Research Administration
Telephone: (61 8) 6304 5473
Email: s.york@ecu.edu.au