Welcome to the
Office of Research Services
ORS provides administrative support to faculty
and departmental managers for all sponsored project activities.
Reminder of ORS Deadlines for Grant Submissions
The Office of Research Services (ORS) requires that proposals be submitted to ORS in final form
at least three (3) business days prior to the sponsor deadline. While ORS has always had such a requirement,
strictly adhering to this deadline is essential when processing the large number of stimulus-related electronic
grant proposals expected in order to ensure confirmation of error-free receipt from the sponsor prior to the
published deadline. Late submissions will jeopardize the ability to successfully submit all proposals. For more
information please refer to the June 2nd letter from the Vice Provost for Research, Vice President for Finance
and the Associate Vice Provost for Research (Click to Read Letter)
INFORMATION ON SEQUESTRATION
ANNOUNCEMENT
CHANGE IN THE PROCESS FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF REIMBURSEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ON FEDERALLY SPONSORED PROGRAM AWARDS
Effective 7/1/12, the Office of Research Services (ORS) will no longer review and approve international travel reimbursement request on federally sponsored program awards. We expect that this change will reduce administrative burden and improve processing time for reimbursement of foreign travel expenses.
The review and approval of international travel reimbursement requests on federal awards was taken on by the Office of Research Services (ORS) primarily to ensure that University and federal policies and procedures were followed, particularly complying with sponsor’s prior approval requirements and restrictions, allowability of cost, receipt documentation and complying with the federal requirement to use to use a U.S. air carrier on programs funded by the Federal government.
Beginning July 1, 2012, requests for reimbursement of international travel on federally sponsored program awards should be routed directly to the Individual Disbursement Services for processing. As required for all sponsored program activity, departments, schools and centers are expected to ensure that expenses incurred for international travel is justified, well documented and in compliance with the sponsor and University policies. Expenses incurred for international travel must also be appropriate to and specifically benefit the intent and purpose of the award and be incurred within the period of the performance or any authorized extension. As a reminder, in conjunction with business administrators, higher level approvers are responsible for ensuring the following:
- the PI & Sponsor have approved the foreign travel;
- the traveler is aware of the University Travel Policy in advance of the travel;
- the traveler is aware of Fly America Act and “open-airline” skies agreement
- travel expenses were incurred while conducting authorized University business;
- travel expenses were allocable, necessary, reasonable and consistent with University policies and the stated business purpose;
- an expense report includes the required documentation;
- travel expenses meet any and all sponsored Program guidelines, if applicable.
- report documentation and related justifications are maintained in the departmental records per the University record retention policy;
- traveler is aware that travel expenses are subject to University and sponsor audit and disallowances.
If you have any questions regarding this communication, please contact the Office of Research Services Post Award Director, Kim Garrison at kimmg@upenn.edu or 215-898-2344.
Please visit the following links for more information on University Sponsored Projects Expense Documentation Requirements and International Travel Policies:
http://www.finance.upenn.edu/vpfinance/fpm/2100/2100_pdf/2134.pdf
http://www.finance.upenn.edu/vpfinance/fpm/2100/2100_pdf/2134.pdf
For more information on international travel on federal awards, please visit the following links:
The National Institutes of Health Grants Policy Statement (GPS) Section 4.1.11 & 8.1.2:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2011/nihgps_ch4.htm#fly_america_act
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2011/nihgps_ch8.htm#_Requests_for_Prior
U.S. General Services Administration: http://www.gsa.gov/openskies
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A21- (allowable cost) Section J. 53: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_a021_2004#j
Revised Travel and Entertainment Justification Form:
http://www.upenn.edu/researchservices/Forms%20and%20Agreements.html
PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
PennERA Electronic Submissions Reference Materials
Electronic Submissions
and Grants.gov
Information and resources related to Electronic
Submissions and Grants.gov.
Sponsored Projects Handbook
This handbook was designed to assist the faculty
and staff of the University of Pennsylvania in the administration
of research awards.
Proposals
Information and resources related to the proposal
process.
Award
Management
Information on the appropriate administration
of sponsored projects.
Sponsors
& Agencies
Links to Sponsors' websites and regulations.
Penn
Offices
Other offices involved in the management of sponsored
projects.
Principal
Investigators
Resources and inform ation
for PI's.
Funding Opportunities
Searchable databases
and email alerts available to the Penn community.
Office
of the Vice Provost for Research
Office
of the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer
Research
Compliance
Responsible
Conduct of Research
Principles
of Responsible Conduct
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Contact ORS Staff
