As sponsors begin to require electronic submission, their requests for sending a cover page with a PI’s original signature is declining. Even though SPA does not send an original signed cover page or face page, it is still held accountable for all the certifications that are applicable to receiving government funding.

It is also considered that, even though, there is no request for the Principal Investigator or Project Director to sign that the information in their proposal is true, complete and accurate, the sponsor believes that by Sponsored Program Administration (SPA) sending it electronically this statement is true .

Since most of our sponsors are governmental and bureaucratic by nature, they require that we have a copy of that signature on file. They also hold each institution responsible for making sure that happens.

Wayne State University’s Sponsored Program Administration has decided that the most expedient way to capture that signature and to get the researcher’s commitment to adhering to these policies is to add language to the Form for External Support (FES). This way we would have both the researcher’s signature and his/her agreement to the policies, terms and conditions associated with accepting a grant or contract.

It is important that, when preparing an application for external funding, the FES’s Section 8: Certification and Approvals be signed and agreed to by the PI and co-investigator. Each individual researcher must agree to the statements made in that section. The conflict of interest must be addressed. The Co-investigator Sub-form must have signatures of the co-investigator and the co-investigator chair/director.

If you are applying for external funding or completing an FES, it is important that you read Section 8 carefully and have a clear understanding for the reason you are signing. If you have any questions about Section 8 or any other section of the FES please contact your grant and contract officer.

–Sheila Bowen, SPA