Commitments

A commitment is an obligation that the university must fulfill. It is usually specific and quantified, such as commitments of effort (salary/time) or cost sharing. Commitments must be tracked and reported back to the sponsor. Commitments may be adjusted only with the approval of the sponsoring agency. No commitment of university resources, including staff or student time, facilities, or other resources, should be made without appropriate documentation of approvals and vetting by OPAS and/or OPAM.

Requests for salary support and statements about cost-shared effort in the budget or budget justification become binding commitments when the university and the sponsor finalize the award agreement. When effort or collaborations proposed in the project description or research plan is specific and quantified, it also becomes a binding commitment at the time the university and the sponsor finalize the award agreement. That is why it is essential that collaborations with external partners have proper institutional approvals.

Commitments beyond the period of support should not be included in a proposal unless it is required by the sponsor. In the event this type of commitment is required, please provide a letter from the department chair documenting support of the proposal's commitment to resources or funding beyond the life of the grant/contract. Examples include: supporting fellows beyond the period committed to by the sponsor; purchasing equipment; or running a center or program. This letter should be signed by the individual authorized to commit funds for the anticipated costs. 

Letters of support may be less specific or involve external partners. If mandatory cost sharing is not required, commitments of quantifiable dollar amounts should not be listed in the proposal nor in the supporting letter, unless explicitly required by the sponsor guidelines. See also Third Party Non-Monetary Contributions.