Open Competition Grants Handbook
Congratulations on receiving funding for your research. There are now a variety of actions and activities that need to take place to ensure your project runs smoothly and compliantly.
The information below is intended to guide you through the stages of what needs to be done, by whom and when, so that you can manage your award effectively and continue carrying out your research.
-
PhD students
-
While you carry out your research
-
Associated areas and requirements
-
contacts Links
-
download the Handbook
Research Services (RES) is made up of a number of teams, each of which will assist in different aspects of grant management:
-
Research Development Team- advice and support in identifying and applying for external research funding
-
Research Contracts Team - negotiation and authorisation of research-related contracts and associated documentation
-
Research Impact Team - work with researchers at all stages of the research cycle to enable the development of impact from research
In addition, teams in other part of the University will also assist with your award:
-
Research Accounts Team - who are part of Finance not RES and help with the financial administration, management and accounting of the award, from acceptance through to receipt of final monies and closure
-
(Library)- services to support the management, preservation and sharing of research data, Open Access publishing of research outputs, and compliance to researchers and Postgraduate Research students
Getting started
Key Information
- If you receive confirmation of award directly from a funder, you need to let your Research Development Manager or the Research Grants and Contracts Co-ordinator know immediately so that we can begin the process of contracts (including subcontracts where necessary), setting your project up on the finance system and ensuring everything is in place for you to start your research.
- Only RES has the delegated authority to accept the award on your behalf - we will always check the details, including the amount offered and any unusual terms and conditions, with you.
- Once we have confirmation of your award, your project will be set up on the finance system and you will receive a project number (e.g. H502400 if a research project). You are only able to start spending against your project budget once you have received this project number. If any collaboration or other agreements are required as part of your project, the Research Grants and Contracts Co-ordinator will check to make sure that the Contracts Team has been alerted.
Initial checklist
- Have you informed RES that you have received an award letter from your funder?
- Have you familiarised yourself with the contents of this handbook and begun to contact the relevant departments about aspects of grant management that relate to your project and can be started already? E.g. HR for job descriptions; Research Data Manager for developing a data development plan; procurement for purchasing activity
- What training do you think you might need in order to manage your grant effectively for its duration? E.g. training in financial management or understanding your financial reports - please contact your Research Accountant once you receive your PI pack.
Who is responsible for each part of the process?
This table explains the actions you need to take and those which you can expect the teams to carry out on your behalf.
PI/Researcher/School should: |
RES/Research Accounts (RA) will: |
Send award letter to RES (if not on Je-S or other electronic system) |
RES - accept award on behalf of the University; RA complete and return Starting Certificate (for the funders that require it e.g. Research Councils) |
Consider the sections of this handbook and decide which are relevant to your project - contact relevant departments for assistance as required |
RA - set project up on finance system and issue project number |
Ensure that you have provided all necessary information about any research partners to RES, including contact names and details |
RES Contracts - negotiate terms and conditions/contracts/subcontracts (with input from PI on research-specific elements as required) |
RA - issue PI pack with information about ongoing financial management of the award |
To contact us, view the RES contact page.
Timescales
These timings are indicative - the time taken for a specific project may vary depending on factors such as complexity and funder terms and conditions. Please contact RES as early as possible to establish a timeframe for the project.
Activity |
Approx. timeframe |
Accept award |
1-3 days from receipt of PI's confirmation that they wish to accept the award, unless terms require negotiation |
Project approval on finance system and project number issued |
1-3 days from award acceptance |
Issue PI information pack |
1-3 weeks from project number being issued |
Return starting certificate (for funders that require it) |
Upon start of eligible expenditure |
Links to further detailed information and resources
- RES contacts list
- Finance contacts page
- Links to funders' websites for terms and conditions;
- Research Organisation (RO) post-award guidance:
Contracts
Key Information
This part of the process is important for protecting the University's reputation and resources, minimising risk and so on. The length of time this takes will vary depending on complexity and the responsiveness of any funder or partner institutions. We appreciate this can be frustrating for researchers and aim to work together with you to make the process as smooth and swift as possible.
- For open competition grants, the RES Contracts Team Team will often accept the funder's terms and conditions unchanged and contracts are not required. However, in some cases, funders will require contracts to be signed (e.g. EU and ). If there are non-standard or unusual elements included, Research Contracts will have to negotiate more acceptable terms to protect the University. Examples of these non-standard terms and conditions might include provision of indemnities back to the funder, or terms that might conflict with University policies on liability.
- Only the RES team have the delegated authority to sign research related contracts, subcontracts or agreements with funders or partner institutions on behalf of the University. If you are asked to sign or agree to anything, including collaboration agreements if we are not the lead institution, you must contact Research Contracts immediately.
- If you are collaborating with other partner institutions, charity or industrial parties, RES will need to put agreements in place with them. These collaboration agreements will cover areas such as who is responsible for what; how the funding will be split; who owns what (equipment, IP etc); agreement to comply with the funders' terms and conditions.
- We are required by our external grant funders to undertake background checks of partner institutions prior to us transferring money to them. It is important those partner institutions respond swiftly to minimise delays in finalising the project.
If you are paying an organisation or person to provide a service for your project e.g. to carry out a feasibility study or provide a data set, and have not named them in your grant application, the University will need to put a subcontract in place with them. These subcontracts follow current procurement policy and will not be placed by RES. Depending on the value, they may have to go out to tender.
Questions to consider
- Have you provided contact details for your partner institutions to the Research Contracts team so that they can work with them to put the relevant contracts, subcontracts or agreements in place, whether UoR is the lead institution or a collaborator?
- Have you discussed with your partners that UoR will need to send them a collaboration agreement and background checks questionnaire to sign and complete? Discussing this with them in advance can help with ongoing relationships between institutions.
- Have you familiarised yourself with the terms and conditions within your contract and/or agreements in order that you can maintain compliance for the duration of the project?
- Are you intending to pay an organisation or person to provide a service for your project? If so, and you have not named them as a core part of your project team in your funding application, contact the Procurement Team for help with identifying suppliers, arranging subcontracts etc.
Who is responsible for each part of the process?
This table explains the actions you need to take and those which you can expect the RES teams or Procurement to carry out on your behalf.
PI/Researcher/School should: |
Research Services/Research Contracts will: |
Procurement will: |
Provide details, including contact details, of partner institutions to RES |
Accept and sign contracts, subcontracts and/or agreements with funders and partner institutions |
|
For grant funders requiring contracts (e.g. British Council), work with RES to explain the more 'technical' research-related parts of the terms and conditions, to ensure they are suitable for the University |
For grant funders requiring contracts, carry out negotiations for contracts/agreements as applicable - areas such as liabilities, risk, IP |
|
Carry out any necessary background checks on partners |
Carry out any necessary background checks on service providers |
|
Negotiate and issue agreements to partner institutions and named core research service providers if we are the lead institution |
Issue subcontracts with orgs/individuals providing a service on research projects |
|
Negotiate and agree contracts, subcontracts or agreements where UoR is not the lead institution |
||
Ensure contract/agreement terms and conditions are met for the duration of the project (ongoing contract management) |
View the contact details of School Contact Managers and Research Accountants and Assistants team.
Timescales
These timings are indicative - the time taken for a specific project may vary depending on factors such as complexity, partner requirements and speed of partner response. Please contact RES or as early as possible.
Activity |
Approx. timeframe |
Accept award from funder (where no contract or changes are required) |
1-3 days from receipt of PI's confirmation that they wish to accept the award |
Negotiations and agreement with funders who require a contract and we require changes |
Completed within three calendar months of funder notification of award (this is dependent on the speed of funder responses) |
Carry out any necessary background checks on partners |
Completed within three calendar months of funder notification of award (this is dependent on the speed of partner responses) |
If UoR is lead institution: Issue and agree collaboration agreements with partner institutions (including draft agreements, negotiations, amendments) |
Completed within three calendar months of funder notification of award (this is dependent on the speed of partner responses) |
If UoR is not lead institution: contact the lead institution, if they have not already provided a collaboration agreement |
Within three weeks of being made aware of an award |
Provide comments on draft agreements (initial and subsequent drafts) |
Within three weeks of receipt from the lead institution/funder |
Links to further detailed information/resources
- FAQs
- Process documents
- The contracts directory shows you when to contact RES/Procurement/Legal
- The procurement step-by-step process
Finance
Key Information
- Research Council awards require the submission of a Starting Certificate within a specific timeframe. Some other funders require similar documentation. You should contact your Research Accountant and provide them with this information if your funder requires it.
- You must be able to justify your spending to your grant funder, explaining where the funding has been spent and how that relates to your research. Ongoing management of your research finances through regular checking of Agresso reports is important to identify any potential problems as soon as possible if they arise.
- All purchases for your research, including any purchases for a funded PhD student's research project, should comply with the University's procurement policy and the specific terms and conditions of your grant. Most grant funders do ask the University to provide confirmation that funding has been spent in line with our own policies and regulations.
-
Some funders require monthly timesheets of hours worked for individuals working less than 100% of their time on your project e.g. Research Council and the EU. Where these are required they must be submitted to Research Accounts on time so that the University can claim the relevant funding from your funder; without timesheets they may not pay out. If an individual is leaving the University, for example at the end of a contract, please ensure timesheets are signed before they go. Finance will provide you with a template to use where required.
- Many funders allow flexibility in the budget post award. If you want to do something different with the funding, speak to Research Accounts before you speak to your funder - we can help you decide the best way to speak to them and/or we may already have knowledge of what you can/can't spend. If you underspend on something you cannot spend left over money on something else without agreement from the funder. See the amendments section of this guide for further details.
Questions to consider
- Have you familiarised yourself with the University's finance and procurement policies, so that you (and your team) are following all procedures compliantly?
- Is everyone who is working less than 100% of their time on your project required to complete a timesheet and, if so, are timesheets submitted on time (usually monthly)?
- Are you regularly checking your financial reports and contacting Research Accounts with any queries or concerns? Your school admin team may be able to answer some transaction queries in the first instance.
Who is responsible for each part of the process?
This table explains the actions you need to take and those which you can expect the Research Accounts team to carry out on your behalf.
PI/Researcher/School should: |
Research Accounts will: |
Familiarise themselves with the University finance policy and ensure you are complying with it |
Set project up on finance system and issue project number along with the PI information pack |
Purchase goods and services in compliance with the University procurement policy |
Raise statements of expenditure and issue invoices to funder at the time points agreed in terms and conditions or contract |
If relevant, complete timesheets and submit them to Research Accounts on time (for individuals splitting their time across different Schools and/or projects) |
Provide information and advice to researchers and Schools about the terms and conditions of funding |
Undertake a monthly review of financial reports to check everything is correctly allocated and within budget |
Quarterly and annual monitoring of budget and spending at a summary level (will only contact PI if there are queries) |
Ensure research projects are accounted for correctly in Agresso |
|
Balance and close the accounts at the end of a research project |
Contact details for Research Accountants and Assistants assigned to each school.
Timescales
These timings are indicative - the time taken for a specific project may vary depending on factors such as complexity and partner requirements. Please contact us as early as possible.
Activity |
Approx. timeframe |
Set project up on finance system and issue project number |
1-3 days from award acceptance (when contract is signed or when award letter has officially been approved) |
Respond to queries and requests for information and/or advice |
1-5 days |
Raise statements of expenditure and issue invoices to funder |
1-5 days |
Quarterly and annual summary monitoring of budget and spending |
Ongoing |
Balance and close the accounts at the end of a research project |
Three months after the end of a project |
Links to further detailed information/resources
- View the University finance and expenses policy
- View the procurement step by step process for buying goods and services
- View the on
Staff
Key Information
- Your funding application should have included the costs for all staff resource needs. Once the funding has been awarded, you need to think about the best way to fulfil these resource needs; this could include recruiting new people or reallocating people already employed at the University on a different project. PIs and their School are responsible for making these resource decisions in line with University policies.
- Any staff who work on your project and are paid through the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø's payroll are ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø employees, even when the funding is provided by a grant or other funding partner. You and they must therefore follow all the University's policies for recruitment, remuneration, day to day management, financial commitments and all other related areas.
- You need to ensure that you are realistic and allow enough time to recruit someone into a role. To recruit staff, you will need to create a job description, submit a staffing request form (SRF) to Human Resources through the Human Resources recruitment section, advertise the role and carry out selection activities. Once you have chosen your preferred candidate, you may find that they have a notice period of up to three months. These processes may not be required if you have a named researcher on your grant application - HR will be able to advise you on the recruitment processes required in that instance. Please note the non-EU citizens may require visas and this can take additional time.
- If there is a possibility that the post or the individual you recruit will be based outside of the UK then you MUST take additional advice from HR on the appointment before commencing the recruitment process. There are additional requirements and potentially additional employment costs if the post will not be based in the UK.
Questions to consider
- Have you reviewed the resourcing options available to you for fulfilling your project needs, in order to select the best way forward?
- Have you begun the necessary staff recruitment processes as soon as possible in order to have them in the role for the start of your project?
- Have you talked to your staff about complying with the terms and conditions of the funding, including providing information about allowable expenses? For example, if your bid included a specific amount for new equipment, they will only be reimbursed for that amount.
Who is responsible for each part of the process?
This table explains the actions you need to take and those which you can expect the RES/Research Accounts teams or HR to carry out on your behalf.
PI/Researcher/School will: |
RES/Research Accounts will: |
HR will: |
Make decisions about the appropriate way to resource your project |
|
|
Non-financial approval of SRF (Heads of School) |
Financially approve any staffing request forms (SRFs), by checking the budget in the award letter |
|
Recruit any staff or students that are required for your project, working with HR as necessary |
Advice and support with advertising and selection activities |
|
Ensure that all staff, external consultants or subcontractors are familiar with and comply with relevant University policies and procedures, and the funder's terms and conditions |
||
Underwrite student stipend, where required, until the contract is in place |
View the contact information for RES and the Doctoral and Researcher College team
Timescales
These timings are indicative - the time taken for a specific project may vary depending on factors such as complexity and partner requirements. Please contact RES and as early as possible.
Activity |
Approx. timeframe |
Create role description and have role graded by HR |
1-2 weeks depending on HR availability |
Staffing request form (SRF) submitted and approved |
1-2 weeks but varies depending on HoS and Research Accounts availability and questions |
Advertise role (staff) |
Advertise for four weeks usually |
Carry out staff selection activities |
2-4 weeks, depending on activity details & availability for interviews |
Notice period for incumbent |
Potentially up to three months |
Links to further detailed information/resources
- HR information on how to recruit staff
- HR information on how to manage staff on a day-to-day basis. Management and development responsibilities of Principal Investigators.
- Link to staffing request form (SRF)
- Procurement information on paying individuals for services
PhD students
Key Information
- Your funding application should have included the costs for all student resource needs. Once the funding has been awarded, you need to think about the best way to fulfil these resource needs. PIs and their School are responsible for making these resource decisions in line with University policies.
- Student recruitment: Once your funding has been accepted by RES and a project code has been set up, please contact your School PGR Administrator and the Doctoral and Researcher College's Christine Macfarlane at christine.macfarlane@reading.ac.uk to discuss the process for advertising and recruiting your student. The Doctoral and Researcher College will advise on how to advertise your studentship, the recruitment process and how to finalise awarding the studentship, once you have selected the successful candidate.
- Student applicants will need to apply to the specific studentship they are interested in AND to the University for a formal offer of a place to study here, to ensure they meet the entry requirements. Applicants are advised to submit a PhD application at the point of expressing an interest for a studentship.
- Students involved in your project will also need to follow all relevant University policies and abide by the terms and conditions of the funding you have received. The University's Doctoral and Researcher College provides support for doctoral researchers.
Questions to consider
- Have you reviewed the resourcing options available to you for fulfilling your project needs, in order to select the best way forward?
- Have you begun the student recruitment processes as soon as possible in order to have them in the role for the start of your project?
- Have you talked to your student(s) about complying with the terms and conditions of the funding, including providing information about allowable expenses? For example, if your bid included a specific amount for new equipment, they will only be reimbursed for that amount.
Who is responsible for each part of the process?
This table explains the actions you need to take and those which you can expect the RES/Research Accounts teams or to carry out on your behalf.
PI/Researcher/School should: |
RES/Research Accounts will: |
Make decisions about the appropriate way to resource your project |
|
Recruit any students that are required for your project, working the Doctoral and Researcher College as necessary |
|
Ensure that students are familiar with and comply with relevant , and the funder's terms and conditions |
|
Underwrite student stipend, where required, until the contract is in place |
View the contact information for RES and the Doctoral and Researcher College Team.
Timescales
These timings are indicative - the time taken for a specific project may vary depending on factors such as complexity and partner requirements. Please contact RES and as early as possible.
Activity |
Approx. timeframe |
Studentship recruitment activities: advert creation and go live |
7-8 days |
Advertise studentship |
Min. two weeks |
Application and formal offer of place to study |
Four weeks from submission of the application form by potential student |
Links to further detailed information/resources
- View the Good Practice Guide (PDF) on how to interview research students .
- Information on how to manage students on a day-to-day basis.
- PhD supervisor essentials (PDF): 10 key areas.
- Doctoral and Researcher College website where there are other documents to help with supervising and assessing postgraduate research students.
While you carry out your research
Key Information
- The PI or Co-PI takes the lead with ongoing project management of the research project. This includes ensuring meeting the requirements of the contracts/subcontracts you have in place with your funder and/or partners, as well as compliance with the relevant University policies and procedures.
- The PI or Co-PI is responsible for encouraging research staff to participate in training courses and other personal and professional development opportunities, including attending conferences and the annual performance and development review process. HR provide information about this for PIs and research staff; the Doctoral and Researcher College provides information for doctoral researchers.
-
You should be completing and submitting timesheets based on the requirements for your funder. See the finance section of this guide for more information about timesheets.
- While you are conducting this research, it is worth thinking about your next and future grant applications, in order to allow enough time to plan for continuity of funding for your research career.
Questions to consider
- Have you familiarised yourself with the terms and conditions within your contract and/or agreements in order that you can maintain compliance for the duration of the project?
- Have you developed contingency plans in case unexpected situations arise? It will be easier to solve issues if you have given potential situations some thought in advance.
- Are you regularly reviewing and acting upon the training and development needs of your team and yourself?
- Do you need to speak to Research Accounts about an extension or variation to your budget?
Who is responsible for each part of the process?
This table explains the actions you need to take and those which you can expect the RES teams to carry out on your behalf.
PI/Researcher/School will: |
RES teams/Research Accounts (RA)/ (Library) (RETL) will: |
Carry out the research activities as outlined in the funding application/contract/agreement |
RES - Provide information and advice to researchers and Schools about the terms and conditions of funding |
Ongoing project management of activities, spending etc, including monitoring compliance with University policies and procedures and with relevant contracts/subcontracts/agreements with funders and partners |
RA - Raise statements of expenditure, submit financial claims and issue invoices to funder at the time points agreed in terms and conditions or contract |
Monthly review of financial reports to check everything is correctly allocated and within budget |
RA - Quarterly and annual summary monitoring of budget and spending (will only contact PI if there are queries) |
Where required by funder, complete timesheets and submit them to Research Accounts on time (for individuals splitting their time across different Schools and/or projects) |
RA - Check and allocate actual staff costs to the project based on timesheets received when they are required by funder |
Carry out data management, impact and engagement activities |
Data Management & - support with ongoing data management, impact and engagement queries |
Regular review of training and development needs, with support from HR and Doctoral and Researcher College as required |
View the RES contact details to get in touch.
Timescales
These timings are indicative - the time taken for a specific project may vary depending on factors such as complexity and partner requirements. Please contact us as early as possible.
Activity |
Approx. timeframe |
Respond to requests for information, advice and support on finance queries |
1-5 days |
Raise statements of expenditure and issue invoices to funder |
1-5 days |
Quarterly and annual summary monitoring of budget and spending |
Ongoing |
Links to further detailed information/resources
- University Code of Good Practice in Research (PDF)
- University finance and expenses policy (PDF)
- Procurement step by step process for buying goods and services
- HR guide on managing people (PDF) for a PI, including training and development responsibilities and options
Associated areas and requirements
Key Information
- You should develop a data management plan (DMP) for your projects. If you submitted a DMP for your funding application, you will need to add more detail to make it applicable in practice - giving it consideration at an early stage will make it easier to share your data later in your project and allow you to focus on carrying out your research. You will need to comply with your funder's requirements for data management and sharing if they have them. The can advise you.
- Consider developing a publication plan - considering likely costs of OA publication and available funds (whether in grant funding or available from the University RC block grant). The Research Engagement team in the Library can advise
- You should think about any intellectual property and patents which could result from the research. If new IP or patents will result from the research this should be discussed with the IP Manager.
- You should also make sure that the impact and engagement activities, which you detailed as part of your funding application, are factored into your project planning. The Research Impact team can advise and potentially support you, during your project and afterwards.
- The University's Code of Good Practice in Research helps you find information and support about further areas associated with your research, including data protection, research ethics and health and safety.
- The University has useful information on ethics as a downloadable ethical framework on the governance and policies page.
Questions to consider
- Have you considered your data management plan and how you will implement it during your research?
- Have you planned your impact and engagement activities?
- Have you read the University's Code of Good Practice in Research (PDF) and followed all the guidance within it?
Who is responsible for each part of the process?
This table explains the actions you need to take and those which you can expect the RES teams to carry out on your behalf.
PI/Researcher/School responsible for: |
Research Impact/ (Library) responsible for: |
Read and comply with the University Code of Good Practice in Research |
|
Develop and follow your data management plan |
Library - Provide advice and support with research data management |
Develop and follow your impact and engagement plan |
Provide advice and support with impact and engagement activities |
Contact other sources of support for associated areas e.g. the library team for publishing support |
Library - Providing advice and support with publishing |
View the RES contact details to get in touch.
Timescales
These timings are indicative - the time taken for a specific project may vary depending on factors such as complexity and partner requirements. Please contact us as early as possible.
Activity |
Approx. timeframe |
Respond to queries and requests for information and/or advice |
Normally within 48 hours for initial query |
Links to further detailed information/resources
- University's Code of Good Practice in Research (PDF)
- Post-award guidancefor data management
- LibGuide on
- LibGuide on
- Information about impact and engagement
Reporting
Key Information
- Your funder will set out in their terms and conditions if, how, and when, they require you to report on your research. Both financial and technical reports may be required. It is important that you comply with these requirements, as they may delay or withdraw funding if you do not.
- is the online system used by UKRI and some other funders to collect research information from their award-holders. You will be required to use it during the project and for 5 years after it ends. We recommend updating the system regularly to avoid a last-minute rush when you have to submit your reports; they may hold back funding or refuse future grant applications from you if you do not submit reports as required.
- If the funder is funding a studentship, the student may also need to make returns.
- You and/or your project administrator will need to carry out a monthly review of your financial reports to check everything is correctly allocated and within budget on your project code. The Research Accounts teams will also carry out quarterly and annual summary monitoring of budget and spending; they will only need to contact a PI if they have any queries or concerns.
- You will also need to regularly monitor the performance (research and financial) of any partners you have on the project. This will enable early identification - and resolution - of potential issues should they arise.
Questions to consider
- Have you familiarised yourself with the reporting requirements and system of your funder, so that you are prepared for what you need to do and when? You may find it helpful to set up a system for recording your research impact activities as you go along.
- If your funder uses , have you registered for an account and are you regularly updating the system?
- Have you made sure that you and/or your administrator are able to review the relevant financial reports on a monthly basis?
- Have you agreed with any partners how you will monitor their performance (research and financial)?
Who is responsible for each part of the process?
This table explains the actions you need to take and those which you can expect the RES teams to carry out on your behalf.
PI/Researcher/School will: |
RES/Research Accounts (RA) will: |
Familiarise yourself with the reporting requirements of your funder (and informing RA about the requirements) |
Provide information about reporting requirements via PI information pack |
Complete and submit the reports that are required |
|
Register for a account if the system is used by your funder |
Research Development - Support for completion and monitoring compliance with reporting requirements |
Undertake a monthly review of financial reports to check everything is correctly allocated and within budget (monthly financial reports are automatically generated and sent by email from the finance system to the named PI/Co-I) |
RA - Quarterly and annual monitoring of budget and spending (will only contact PI if there are queries) |
View the RES contact details to get in touch.
Timescales
These timings are indicative - the time taken for a specific project may vary depending on factors such as complexity and partner requirements. Please contact us as early as possible.
Activity |
Approx. timeframe |
Reporting via (UKRI and other major UK grant funders) |
Reporting window opens Feb-March: must be completed annually during life of grant and for 5 years after the end |
Reporting for EU funding |
Reporting periods set as part of grant agreement |
Links to further detailed information/resources
- View more information about
Amendments
Key Information
- Speak to your RES contact before you speak to your funder about any change to your research grant (e.g. extensions due to staff changes, partners leaving or changes in how you want to spend the money). We can help you decide the best way to speak to them and/or we may already have knowledge of amendments they will agree to.
- If you do not let your funder know of major changes, they may refuse costs; this will have an impact on your School finances as the costs will need to be met from the School's budget.
- Remember you will need to inform your funder about changes to your end date, even if there is no impact on costs - for example, if a student or member of staff is taken ill and needs to suspend work for a period of time.
- When there are changes within partner institutions, such as researchers moving to a different institution, this is likely to have an impact on the contracts, subcontracts or agreements that we have in place with them. Contact the Research Contracts Team for advice and support as soon as you realise a change may be needed. You will also need to inform your Research Accountant.
Questions to consider
Are you regularly reviewing whether there are any changes which you need to inform your funder and/or partners about?
Have you spoken to Research Accounts and/or RES for advice before contacting your funder?
Have you contacted the Doctoral Research Office at dro@reading.ac.uk to complete a suspension/extension request form if your student requires it? If so, have you ensured that there is sufficient time in the grant to cover the student's suspension/extension?
Who is responsible for each part of the process?
This table is intended to help you understand the actions you need to take and those which you can expect RES to carry out on your behalf.
PI/Researcher/School will: |
RES/ Research Accounts (RA) will: |
Project manage the research project so that variations, such as extensions or budget variation, can be identified as early as possible |
RA - Provide advice on speaking to funders |
Inform RA as soon as possible about the need for any changes e.g. extensions, change to spending |
Research Contracts - Discuss and agree contract amendments with PI and partners/funders (following liaison with RA) |
Discuss changes with funder and/or partners |
View the RES contact details to get in touch.
Timescales
These timings are indicative - the time taken for a specific project may vary depending on factors such as complexity and partner requirements. Please contact us as early as possible.
Activity |
Approx. timeframe |
Provide advice on speaking to funder |
Initial response within 48 hours |
Discuss and agree contract amendments with the PI and funder/partner |
Depends on complexity of amendment and number of partners involved - straightforward changes e.g. no cost extensions to grants can usually be agreed within 2-3 weeks' time, but more complicated situations will take longer. |
Links to further detailed information/resources
-
View the form for suspension requests (PDF) (e.g. if student becomes ill etc.) Read more about suspensions and extensions on the Doctoral and Researcher College website.