The University of Iowa
Corporate and Industry Sponsored Projects
Policy Statement
Revised 4/1/2003


This statement establishes policies for the financial management of corporate and industry sponsored projects for which data or other outcome products are expected. Corporate or industry contracts generally involve a quid pro quo, i.e. something is given and something is received. These agreements must be entered into in the name of The University of Iowa and not in the name of the Department or Principal Investigator. Neither The University of Iowa Foundation nor other external entity is permitted to accept payment for activities related to corporate and industry sponsored research projects conducted within the University.



Establishing the Account

The following documents are required for the assignment of a Master File Key (to establish an account):

  • University of Iowa Proposal Routing Form
  • Detailed Project Budget and Payment Schedule (eg: standard federal grant and contract format)
  • Fully executed contract or award accepted by the University

Accounting Issues

  • Investigators must exercise diligence to only charge expenses against the project that are reasonable, allowable, and allocable. All revenues and expenses will be accounted for in the University accounting system.
  • Corporate and industry sponsored clinical trials will be charged an F&A rate of 25% on total direct costs.
  • Corporate and industry sponsored projects, excluding clinical trials, will be assessed facilities and administrative (F&A) costs based on the federally approved F&A rate, currently 47% of modified total direct costs. (MTDC excludes patient care, subcontract amounts in excess of $25,000, building repair, utilities, tuition, facility lease and equipment purchases.)

Project Close-Out

  • Investigators engaged in corporate or industry sponsored projects are responsible for notifying their departmental administrator upon the completion of the project. The administrator will then notify Clinical Trials Office for clinical trials agreements or Division of Sponsored Programs for all other awards. The Grant Accounting Office will initiate closure of the project account upon notification of project completion by the DSP/CTO, or, according to the project end date. The Principal Investigator and his/her department will be allowed a 90-day period following the completion of the project to make appropriate adjustments and corrections and to determine if a residual balance exists. The Grant Accounting Office will review the account for appropriateness of costs prior to closing the account.
  • When work on an award ends in a surplus, full F&A will be assessed on the remaining balance. If a reduced F&A was negotiated with the Office of Sponsored Programs, up to the full F&A rate will also be charged on incurred expenses. For all clinical trials contracts negotiated by the Clinical Trials Office, the full F&A rate is 25% of total direct costs. For other awards the current federal rate, 47% of the modified total direct cost for on-campus projects, will be used unless the sponsor has a written policy of a different rate. In no case will the application of additional F&A costs drive the account into a deficit balance.
  • After full F&A costs are assessed, the remaining balance will be transferred to an Organized Activity (fund 240) account. The account will be administered by the department with expenditures directed by the principal investigator who originally obtained the funds. The expenditure of funds will be to support research of the principal investigator who originally obtained the funds as long as the investigator is a regular faculty or staff member of the University.
  • In cases where the Principal Investigator transfers to another institution or organization prior to completing the study, contract document permitting, The University of Iowa will appoint another Investigator to fulfill the responsibilities of the project(s), or, if the University deems it appropriate, it may retain the former employee as Principal Investigator. When so directed by the sponsor, or at the discretion of the University, the University may transfer the final account balance to the new institution or organization subject to the restrictions placed on the funds by the grantor. No money will be paid to an individual investigator.
  • In cases where the Principal Investigator leaves The University of Iowa after the project has been closed out, funds remaining will be transferred to the DEO of the Investigator's department for discretionary use in research at The University of Iowa.
This policy is effective on all projects with an effective or start date on or after April 1, 2003.


 

The Grant Accounting Office is a department in the Finance and Operations organization
Questions? Feedback? Contact the Grant Accounting Office
Site maintained by HRWebTeam: hr-web@uiowa.edu
© The University of Iowa 2004. All rights reserved.