Award Negotiation & Acceptance
Modifications to the Original Proposal/Budget
It is not uncommon for a sponsor to fund a project at a different level from that requested (usually at a reduced level) and/or to request changes in the proposed work or in the scope of services to be provided by the project. Should you receive such a request, please contact the pre-award proposal reviewer who handled the proposal submission for assistance with satisfying the new requirements. If the change in the budget is relatively significant, follow the WISPER instructions for submitting a revised budget for an existing WISPER record. If the modified budget affects the scope of work or the proposal commitments, attach a revised project description to the existing WISPER record.
Accepting Awards for the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Award notices may come into the University in a variety of ways. Notification may be sent to the Chancellor and/or to OSP with a copy to the PI/Project Director. However, in some cases, the sponsor may send a letter of notification and the award documents directly to the PI/Project Director with a request that it be signed and a copy returned accepting the terms and conditions of the award. Even though it is occasionally acceptable for you to sign the document as a PI/Project Director as "read and understood," you are not authorized to accept an award on behalf of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. If you receive such documents, contact the pre-award proposal reviewer who assisted you in the submission of the proposal and forward all award documents to his/her attention in OSP, MIT 273.
It is the responsibility of OSP to ensure that the terms and conditions of the award agreement are acceptable to the University and to the PI/Project Director. In most cases, the conditions of the award will not require significant negotiation. However, if the agreement contains unusual conditions, the proposal reviewer will work closely with you and with others as necessary to protect your interests and those of the University.
The award document/agreement will be signed by an institutional official in OSP if it is acceptable to you and is not in conflict with federal or state statues, University policies, and/or the mission of the University.