PM-27 - Placement of Sponsored Agreements

April 29, 1998

Sponsored project proposals submitted in the name of the University must be awarded to the University and cannot be awarded to outside organizations. Employees transferring with research must transfer them to the University. The only exceptions to this policy are discussed in the second paragraph. Diverting awards to outside organizations puts in question the legality of the award. If the award is made to an outside organization the University does not bear any responsibility and loses any benefits associated with the award including recognition prestige, and publication that may result from the sponsored activity. Additionally, if a sponsored project is awarded to an outside organization, the University will likely not be adequately reimbursed for facilities and administration (indirect costs), travel, operating services, supplies, professional services, other miscellaneous charges, and project personnel costs. Furthermore, in circumstances when a faculty member of a grant is the Principal Investigator and he or she leaves the University and becomes employed by another organization, the University has the authority to determine if that grant can be transferred with the Principal Investigator. However, in most instances, it is in the interest of the University to retain sponsored awards that involve multiple Principal Investigators when one of the Principal Investigators chooses to leave Louisiana State University. In connection with such awards, the University has often expended considerable resources in preparing for and housing the project. Furthermore, commitments might have been made to personnel employed to carry out the award. If a Principal Investigator leaves Louisiana State University, however, and the sponsoring agency designates that person to be critical to the success of the award, the University will work with the departing Principal Investigator to move the award to the Principal Investigator's next institution.

Effective immediately, it is the policy of this University that all sponsored agreements (federal, state, and private) obtained by University employees be awarded to the University. Awards that cannot be domiciled in the University's name because it is mandated by the sponsor should be submitted for approval of the President. The submission for approval should provide adequate rationale for not awarding the agreement in the name of the University.

Allen A. Copping
President

cc: LSU System Officers