Proposal Negotiation

It is the responsibility of the PI to negotiate with the funding agency for a particular proposal. Many times a proposal is considered eligible by the sponsor, but the funds requested exceed what the reviewers feel necessary or what the agency has available to support the project. A reduction in the budget would then become necessary. Negotiated budgets should be routed through the local review channels before the university accepts the negotiated proposal.

Remember that a reduction in the budget may create changes in the scope of the work. To maintain credibility with the funding agency, the PI should consider a work reduction commensurate with any substantial budget reduction.

Often personal and professional relationships develop between individual faculty members and agency staff personnel. AASU encourages the development and maintenance of good contacts and informal discussions with granting agencies. It is important, however, to remember that such informal discussions do not represent the agency or university commitments. It is important that all contracts entered into on behalf of the university be signed by an authorized institutional representative (President, Vice-President and Dean of Faculty or Vice-President for Business and Finance.)