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Funds for sponsored research are awarded to the College, though managed by
the Principal Investigator and staff in the OSP. Without written approval by
the sponsor, the funds are to be spent only for the purpose and at the level
designated in the final approved proposal budget. The Principal Investigator is
responsible for implementing the sponsored research award in accordance with
sponsor guidelines, hiring staff, expending sponsored research funds, and
conducting the as described research in the proposal and agreed to with the
acceptance of the award. In many areas of the College, the financial management
of a sponsored research award is delegated to an administrative assistant or
financial manager. While the award then becomes a shared responsibility among
the Principal Investigator, the administrative assistant, and the OSP Sponsored
Research Manager, the Principal Investigator is still ultimately responsible
for the overall success of the project, including adherence to sponsor's
guidelines. While these statements may seem redundant, they are presented to
emphasize the Principal Investigator's responsibility to both the sponsor and
Dartmouth College. Again, the OSP is a Principal Investigator's best source of
information and guidance on the financial aspects of sponsored research
management.
When a proposal is first submitted through the OSP it is assigned a proposal
number and becomes the foundation document of a sponsored research file. The
Principal Investigator's name, project title, and other information related to
the sponsored research file are entered into an internally maintained database
in the OSP. The file remains dormant until a decision on funding status has
been received in the OSP.
The OSP in conjunction with the Principal Investigator is responsible for
reviewing all terms and conditions of an award prior to acceptance by the
College. The OSP is also responsible for assuring that sponsor's requirements
are compatible with College sponsored research policies, consistent with
government-wide regulations applicable to educational institutions, and reflect
the understandings agreed upon prior to receiving the award. The OSP has
primary responsibility for resolving any disagreements between the College and
sponsor with regards to terms and conditions of awards.
Acceptance of sponsored research funds binds both the sponsoring agency and
Dartmouth College to certain financial commitments as outlined in the approval
and acceptance of the final budget. While the OSP maintains complete financial
records on cost-sharing, matching funds, and in-kind contributions, the
Principal Investigator is the Dartmouth College representative most responsible
for overseeing cost-sharing, and soliciting matching funds, as outlined in the
funded proposal.
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