The PI has the primary responsibility for managing a grant award on behalf of NDMU. S/he directs the research or other academic and programmatic goals of the project, fulfilling all proposed activities, and reporting to the funder.
The PI also must ensure that the project is conducted according to:
- University administrative and academic policy
- The terms and conditions of the grant award and funding agency
- Applicable state and federal law
Grant Team Orientation Meeting
With the PI, the Director of CFGGconvenes and facilitates a Grant Team Orientation Meeting within 10 days of the award’s receipt that includes PI, other relevant faculty, and Director of CFGG, Senior Accountant, and Controller (as necessary).
The purpose of the meeting is to review and discuss award management including:
- Terms and conditions of the grant;
- Reporting requirements and deadlines;
- Project Timeline and milestones;
- Allowable and non-allowable expenditures;
- Evaluation and sustainability plan;
- Timing of hiring and purchases; and
- Facilities/IT requirements.
Grant Account
The Senior Accountant or Controller establishes a grant account for the project within the Datatel accounting system and notifies the PI, Director of CFGG, and the Director of Advancement Services of the account number. (At that time, PI will be offered training from Business Office staff on how to access the account via Datatel WebAdvisor.)
The Controller also coordinates and completes the drawdown and reimbursement of state and federal funds in a timely manner and ensures that all grant expenditures are properly recorded in Datatel in conjunction with the PI. S/he is responsible for completing the funder’s interim and final financial reports by the required deadline.
Project Budgets
In addition, the Senior Accountant or Controller consults with the PI on updating project budgets, comparing project budgets with up-to-date expenditures and balance, in order to monthly assess and report on financial health of the project. S/he is responsible for alerting grant team members to significant variances in grant expenditures and the project budget.
Reporting
The PI/PD should maintain accurate records of the reporting requirements for each grant award under their direction and ensure the timely submission of interim, financial, progress, and final reports as per the specific funder’s guidelines. Copies of such reports should be furnished to the Director of CFGG, the Senior Accountant, and Academic Dean.