Fiscal Agent Grants are grants awarded to an individual that require no institutional commitment of funds but for which the college is obligated to provide oversight and/or administer faculty salaries and wages, and must be approved by the Provost prior to submission. Such grants may involve issues related to the following:

  • Leave replacement
  • Sabbatical Supplements
  • Endorsement or nomination by the Provost or other College Official
  • Use of College facilities and/or equipment
  • Sub contracts
  • Research involving Human Subjects - IRB Review
  • Research involving Animals - IACUC Review
  • Research involving biosafety - BioSafety Review
  • Final application filed by Provost Office

From the Faculty Handbook: 4.12.6 Procedures for Fiscal Agent Grants

NSF, NIH, NEH for an individual's research are usually considered Fiscal Agent Grants; if they are for a department, division, the college, they will usually be considered Institutional Grants.

Procedures for Fiscal Agent Grants — General

Contact the Office for Sponsored Faculty Projects - OSFP will help faculty members identify possible funding sources, ensure that the Assistant Controller, Development Office, Department Chair, and the Provost are aware of the proposal, and assist the faculty member in the editing, compilation, and submission of proposals. In most cases, proposals for government funding (i.e., NSF, NIH, NEH) requiring grants.gov submission must be submitted by the Assistant Controller acting for the Provost.

  1. The proposed budget should first be submitted to the Assistant Controller at least 10 business days prior to the deadline, who will review it for compliance with College and funding agency guidelines. In some cases, the College will require that the budget include an indirect cost budget item to defray costs of grant administration.
  2. Read "The Policy on Conflict of Interest and Ethical Conduct" and sign two forms: Conflict of Interest and Ethical Conduct Statement, and Cost Certification for Grant Proposals. The forms are also available from the Assistant Controller.
  3. Provost Approval - Before requesting final approval by the Provost, faculty must complete the following documents: written summary of the proposal, a copy of the reviewed and approved budget, and other completed required forms.

    If the Provost approves the proposal, they will sign the appropriate document, write a letter of endorsement or nomination, or other necessary action. The OSFP will handle online submission of proposals through grants.gov or FastLane. Online submissions, especially through grants.gov can be a long involved process. Please seek assistance early to avoid last minute submission problems.

    OSFP can advise faculty about the process for independent or fiscal agent grants, and assist with editing and submission procedures; however, in all cases it is the faculty member's responsibility to author the proposal.

  4. If a government grant is awarded, the Assistant Controller will collect an Effort Report form from the faculty project director each June or as required by the granting agency. 

Accurate tracking and timely reporting of budget expenditures and achievement of program goals is essential to maintain good funding relationships. Maintaining these records and reporting them to the Provost, OSFP, the Assistant Controller and to the granting agency is a responsibility of the grant's faculty project director.