400-12 Authority to Solicit Contracts and Grants

Effective Date: 1/1/92 (revised 1/11/01)
Office of Origin: Office of Research Administration

I. Purpose

This policy defines the authority to solicit contracts or grants for instruction or research.

II. Definitions

Research: investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery of generalizable new knowledge, the interpretation of facts, and/or the revision of accepted theories in the light of new facts; or the testing of such new or revised theories.

Instruction: training of students, personnel, or prospective employees in research, or in the techniques or practices pertinent to the particular area of concern.

Other sponsored activites: public service assistance given for the purpose of organizing, establishing, providing, or expanding the delivery of services to a specified community or area; also, projects which do not clearly fit into the "research" or "instruction" categories.

III. Policy

A. Approval By The Regents

Approval by The Regents (see Administrative Policy 400-16, Award Acceptance and Execution of Contracts and Grants) is required on all proposals for extramural support for projects which involve any of the following restrictions or conditions:

1. amounts in excess of $5,000,000 in direct costs in any one project year;

2. an obligation by the University to expenditures for which there are no established University-controlled fund sources;

3. non-conformance to approved University programs, policies, and construction projects;

4. requirements that the University assume liability for the conduct of persons other than University personnel;

5. construction of facilities not previously approved by The Regents;

6. acquisition of computer hardware, software, or systems that require prior approval in accordance with requirements established by the President of the University; or

7. a relationship to the Education Abroad Program or associated programs.

B. Approval By the Office of Research Administration

The Chancellor has delegated authority to the Contracts and Grants Officer, Office of Research Administration to solicit all extramural contracts and grants for research, training, and public service with the exception of those cases stipulated above.

IV. Responsibility

Contact Office of Origin (see above) with any questions.

V. Related Policies

Disclosure of Financial Interests in Private Sponsors of Research (Policy 100-27) (under revision)
Transfer of Biological Materials (Policy 100-28) (under revision)
Indirect Costs for Extramural Funds (Policy 300-21) (in progress)
Academic, Legal and Financial Policies of Contracts and Grants (Policy 400-10)
Proposal Content Requirements for Contracts and Grants (Policy 400-13)
Administrative Review and Submission of Contracts and Grants (Policy 400-15)
Award Acceptance and Execution of Contracts and Grants (Policy 400-16)
Authority to Solicit Gifts and Private Grants (Policy 450-10)

VI. References

UCSF Campus Code of Conduct
Academic Affairs Newsletter, Vice Chancellor's Office--Academic Affairs
Bylaws and Standing Orders of The Regents of the University of California, Office of the President
Contract and Grant Manual, Office of the President
UCSF Office of Research Administration Website