Printer Friendly Page

Sponsored research projects at Princeton University are guided by numerous government, non-government and University policies, procedures and regulations. There must be adherence to both University and government policies and procedures in the areas of foreign travel, equipment purchases, consultant’s fees, principal investigator salary costs, and many other research cost categories. For information or assistance in this area please contact your Sponsored Research Accounting representative.

Cost Transfers - Sponsored Accounts

Requests to transfer costs from one sponsored research project account to another, where the amount involved (including indirect costs) is of substantial value, especially when it involves salary costs or equipment, will be reviewed by the Sponsored Projects section of the Finance Office. Because of the likelihood of an audit by the government auditors when a research project is completed, Sponsored Projects may ask for written documentation to support and justify the transfer.

The government auditors consider as unacceptable any material cost transfer request if it is made:

• Without adequate documentation or reason for the transfer, as to why the initial charge was incorrect. An explanation that the transfer must be made “to correct an error” or “to transfer cost to the correct project” is not sufficient.
  
  
• Only to use up available funds remaining in the sponsored project account.
  
  
• Only to avoid an overrun in the sponsored project account.