The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) processes many agreements that have effective dates that coincide with the date of the last party’s signature. Advanced account requests will not be approved in these situations because retroactive spending would not be authorized nor reimbursed by the sponsor. Beginning work prior to a contract being fully endorsed could open the University up to financial and legal risks (see previous related Tip of the Week).
Regardless of award start date, investigators and research administrators are expected to review the requirements, deliverables, budgets, and milestones of a sponsored project. If any revisions are needed to ensure the University can satisfy the sponsor’s requirements upon contract execution, inform OSP as soon as possible.