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Grant Management: External research grants
Management of research contracts
The University Council requires that all research and consultancy contracts, where the University is a party to the agreements (other than executive teaching, or continuing education), be negotiated through the Research Office. This is not simply a requirement for administrative convenience but has the following benefits:
- A proper register is maintained of research funding to the University, enabling it to achieve appropriate recognition under quality assurance guidelines and also to receive any additional Federal funding that may be based upon the research endeavour of the University
- This arrangement ensures that research and consultancy contracts pay for their use of University resources and bear their fair share of the infrastructure costs of the University, including administration
- This arrangement guards against poorly structured research contracts that are unfair to the University or to its staff, or which could expose the University to significant risk of liability
- Commitment by the University. There is no delegation beyond the Vice-Chancellor and the Deputy Vice-Chancellors to sign contracts with the University. Persons who sign contracts or otherwise enter into agreements without authority, risk personal liability for their actions
- The distinction between research and consultancy is not always clear. Hence, all contracts require scrutiny. If negotiations are made without consultation, or if the research funds are disguised as a donation, the University does not guarantee to meet the contracts.
- It ensures the appropriate ethics clearance is obtained.
The above does not refer to private consulting within the Guidelines on Outside Earning activities (see the Personnel Management Handbook, Chapter 25). The Research Office has developed a "Staff Consulting Policy" which is available from the Research Office web site.
Note that the prior approval of the Head of financial unit is required before entering into a consultancy contract. The Head is expected to ensure that the consultancy is totally private, and that the University's name and its resources are not involved.