There are many benefits to writing grants for the university and your Department. Not only do you improve the academic structure of the University and your community through research, but you as the Principal Investigator (PI) benefit as well. There are three incentives to writing grants.

Release Time

When proposals are submitted and funded, the Principal Investigator (PI) is given release time from his/her academic responsibilities such as classroom instruction to run the funded program. A percentage of his/her classroom instruction is reassigned to other faculty members and that percentage of time will then be used to carry out the objectives of the grant. This percentage and amount has to be approved by the faculty member, Chair and Dean.

PI Account/Indirect Costs

The Administrative Council has approved the following policy for using indirect costs. When proposals are funded, regardless of the overhead rate, the unit sponsoring the grant/contract will receive 40% of the overhead/indirect cost, the Office of Sponsored Programs will receive 10% and the University will receive 50% of the overhead/indirect cost. If the unit is a school, the overhead/indirect cost money returned shall be distributed as follows:

• The school will be awarded 5%
• The department will be awarded 5%; and
• The Principal Investigator (PI) will receive 30%

If the unit is not a school, the overhead/indirect cost money shall be distributed as follows:

• The budget unit will be awarded 5%
• The department in which the PI has academic rank will be awarded 5%; and
• The PI will receive 30%

None of the indirect cost money can be used to augment departmental salary lines with the exception of student workers or graduate student assistants. Any cost sharing required shall be deducted in the proportion set forth above.

Asset for Promotion and Tenure

Writing winning proposals can benefit you during the funded periods as well as years down the road. The PI can include the funded proposal in his/her promotion and tenure portfolio. The PI will also be able to reference the funded grant on his/her curriculum vita when seeking promotions and/or positions within the University or external to the University.