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OSP Weekly 11/23/2020 ----- Office of Sponsored Programs -----

Please forward and share with other faculty who may be interested.

FAQ - Impact of Furloughs on Sponsored Programs The financial impact of furlough currently impacts sponsored programs too and we know that there are many questions coming in on how to prepare for the impact on your projects. Many of us have experienced this before and based on previous experiences the Frequently Asked Questions has been created to provide guidance to faculty, administrators, and Principal Investigators.  While the FAQ may not capture all your concerns, if you have additional questions related to sponsored programs please send them directly to Lori Ciccone so she can update the FAQs.  For other Furlough questions please refer to HR Furlough Information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the general rule for handling furloughs for individuals whose salaries are reimbursed, in whole or in part, by externally funded grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements? A1: The general rule is that all UNLV employees, even those whose salaries are reimbursed by externally funded grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements will be required to take furlough, while post docs, graduate students, and students will not be subject to furlough.

Q2: What about UNLV employees, who are partially paid by a federal or other externally funded grant, contract, or cooperative agreement? How does the furlough program apply to them? A2:  An employee whose salary is partially funded from grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements shall be subject to Furlough Guidelines.

Q3: Is there a possibility to be partially exempt from furlough on sponsored programs, e.g. 100% funded on a project? A3: At this time, no. There are active discussions being led by leadership with NSHE to address the impact on furlough on sponsored programs and an effort to reevaluate these concerns.

Q4: How should I prepare for these furloughs on my sponsored programs? A4: Each PI should review their budgets and evaluate the scope of work, budget, and percent of effort based on the furloughed salary needed to complete the scope of work within the period of performance.

Q5: If I have other source of funds to pay for the reduced pay can I use those funds?  A5:  No, the loss of salary due to furlough cannot be paid through other sources to make up that deficiency.

Q6:  Who is ultimately responsible for the scope of work and any changes that need to be made with respect to the furloughs?  A6: The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for the technical, administrative, and fiscal management of a project. In addition, the PI is responsible for assuring that all costs are allowable, allocable, and consistent with the terms of an award. The Office of Sponsored Programs, Post Award Grant and Contracts will lend their expertise in making these determinations when requested to do so and will determine when prior approval from sponsor is required. The PI must endorse all charges to the grant including any adjustments to the budget.

Q7: What is the role of the Office of Sponsored Programs? A7: The OSP Post Award Grants and Contracts research administrator assigned to your college/department should be consulted if there are any questions about whether under a specific agreement a prior approval form or notification to the sponsor is required. Post Award Grants and Contracts should be consulted when there is any uncertainty as to the flexibility of the award terms.

Read More FAQs (pdf) *Note - The OSP website will be updated with a FAQs - Impact of Furloughs on Sponsored Programs webpage next week.

Cayuse Update The OSP team is in Week 17 of configuring the data for Pre Award. We are half-way through our development and working diligently to be ready in mid-spring to deploy this research suite to improve efficiency, collaboration, and compliance. Check out the Cayuse site for more information.

Please note that the following staff will be unavailable on these dates due to Cayuse Development Training:

December 3 Lori, Hallie, Stephanie

December 10 Lori, Hallie, Stephanie, Mary, Jane

December 14 Lori, Hallie, Stephanie, Mary, Jane

Please contact the main number 702-895-1357 or [email protected] if you require assistance during these training times.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING From all of us at the Office of Sponsored Programs we wish you and yours a very Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Althea Sheets, Communications Manager, Office of Sponsored Programs, [email protected], 702-895-1880