Source: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/researchfunding/int/grantspolicy/pages/gm06.aspx
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Part 6. Receiving and Spending Money -- Grants Policy and Management Training for Foreign Investigators -- NIAID Research Funding
advisory Council carryover change in scope direct costs facilities and administrative costs (F&A) fiscal year (FY) funding opportunity announcement (FOA) grant budget period grantee grants management specialist institutional business official Notice of Award
subaward terms and conditions of award unobligated balance See the Glossary for more terms.
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How NIAID issues funds. Requesting allowable costs. Direct costs. Facilities and administrative costs. What costs are not allowed. Points about spending money. Options for using unspent funds. How to request to carryover funds to the next budget period. ​Part 6. Receiving and Spending Money
This is Part 6 of the Grants Policy and Management Training for Foreign Investigators. Learn how to receive NIH funds, spend your money in ways that NIH allows, and manage your money throughout your award. Table of Contents
NIH Issues Funds Using the Payment Management System Choose an Interest-Bearing Bank Account Register for PMS Fill Out the Forms Submit the Original PMS Forms
PMS Payments and Troubleshooting
Training on PMS
For PMS Help What Are Allowable Costs? Direct Costs Personnel Consultants Equipment Supplies Travel Other Expenses Facilities and Administrative Costs Insurance Unallowable Costs Pay Attention to How You Spend Your Money Using Leftover Funds Making a Carryover Request NIH Issues Funds Using the Payment Management System Grantees must register for PMS after receiving their initial Notice of Award.
NIH funds foreign grantees using direct deposits through HHS's Payment Management System (PMS). When the grantee draws funds from PMS, the system converts the amount from U.S. dollars using the most current exchange rate. Grantees with an initial award in FY 2013 or later must register for PMS after receiving their Notice of Award. Choose an Interest-Bearing Bank Account
Grantees must maintain grant funds in an interest-bearing account. HHS strongly encourages foreign grantees to use U.S. banks or banks with U.S. branches. Regarding interest: if the account earns more than $250 total in interest on advances of grant funds each year, you must return the excess to PMS. Learn how to return the interest at How do I return funds or pay interest?
Register for PMS
To request funds electronically and receive them through Electronic Funds Transfer, institutions—even those who already have a PMS account number—must register with PMS by submitting two forms. Grantees with an existing PMS account must submit the following: Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form - SF 1199A (one form for all NIH grants) DPM PMS System Access Form (one form for each PMS user) Those with no current PMS account with HHS or another U.S. government agency (e.g., CDC, USAID, DoD) will receive a Welcome package that includes the required forms. Tips for Successful Completion of Forms
The Welcome package forms require your Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. Your EIN depends on your System for Award Management (SAM) and NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) codes. Remember that the SAM and NCAGE require annual updates.
If you rename your institution, notify the number-issuing organizations mentioned above according to their procedures. Your numbers may change as a result.
Make sure the PMS forms list the most current numbers and institution name.
Signatures on the forms must be original, not stamped.
The international banking letter must be in English. A certified translation to English should be signed by the institutional business official.
Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form—SF 1199A
Complete sections 1 and 2. Recipient’s bank completes section 3. Type all information. Make sure all signatures are original and in ink, not stamped. Section 1: at top right hand corner, type DUNS, followed by your DUNS number. A. Organization’s name, address, and telephone number.B. Organization’s name.C. EIN number.D. Savings (must be a savings account).E. Account number at the financial institution to which the funds will be deposited.F Check “Other” and type the National Institutes of Health, DHHS.G. Leave blank.
After you print the form, add the original handwritten signature: People who can sign for bank account.
Section 2 Government Agency Name: DHHS/DPM Government Agency Address P.O. Box 6021Rockville, MD 20852
Section 3: To be completed by recipient's financial institution. Must be signed by recipient's bank representative with phone number. Account title must be filled in and match the organization’s name. DPM PMS System Access Form
Item 1: Use the organization's name reflected on the Notice of Award. Item 2: If you do not have an established PMS Payee Identification Number (PIN), enter the EIN from the Notice of Award. Item 3: Provide information on the person requiring PMS access. Item 4: Select “Payment Requests and Inquiries.” Item 5: Print the forms and add the original handwritten signature of authorized representative. Submit the Original PMS Forms
Send the original forms:
Express Mail: U. S. Department of Health & Human Services PSC/FMS/Division of Payment Management 7700 Wisconsin Avenue – Suite 10104 Bethesda, MD 20814 Regular Mail: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services PSC/FMS/Division of Payment Management P.O. Box 6021 Rockville, MD 20852 After Submitting the Forms
If your paperwork is complete, your account will be set up within seven business days. Once the Division of Payment Management processes your forms, it will issue the following: Payee Account Number (PAN) and PIN. User name and temporary password. You can then log in and access your account. Note: once you have accessed the system, you must change your temporary password. PMS Payments and Troubleshooting
You can request payments as often as needed, but the funds must accommodate immediate needs only, and must be spent within three business days from withdrawal.
Whenever the amount of funds you request exceeds PMS's calculation of what can be liquidated within three business days, your request will be flagged in the system and you'll have to provide additional justification.
If your SAM entity registration changes, the systems will no longer match. See For PMS Help below.
After award, NIAID grants management staff will email you to arrange an online meeting using the free GoToMeeting software. See that email for more instructions. They will use this meeting to ensure you can access funds through the PMS.
In addition, you can request PMS training. Contact PMS_Training@psc.hhs.gov to request a Webinar. Include the following information in your email:
Subject line "Requesting Grant Recipient Training—Webinar Session."
Your Payee Account Number (PAN), PIN, and agency name.
Three dates and times you are available for training.
Names, email addresses, and phone numbers for everyone attending the training.
For PMS Help
The PMS Help Desk offers frequently asked questions at the Payment Management System Self-Service Web Portal. If you can't find an answer there, contact the help desk using one of these options:
Email PMSSupport@psc.gov. Call +1-877-614-5533. Fax +1-301-443-8362.
Create a Ticket for the help desk. Be sure to include your Payee Account Number (PAN), PIN, and contact information. What Are Allowable Costs? NIH can pay for two types of costs: direct costs and facilities and administrative costs. NIH defines the items and parameters for using your grant money. Your costs must meet the following conditions: Dollar amount is reasonable; that is, within limits that a prudent person would pay for the goods or service. Goods or services can be directly assigned to a grant. Goods or services are consistent with your standard operating procedures and local practices. Grant costs conform to rules described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. There are two types of allowable costs: direct costs and facilities and administrative costs. Direct Costs
Direct costs are costs that support your project. Direct costs are for personnel, consultants, equipment, supplies, travel, space rental, and certain other expenses.
Personnel Salary or compensation you pay with grant funds must be reasonable for the position, for example, the education required and the person's experience. When determining salaries, look at standard salaries at your organization and ensure that they are reasonable for your region. NIH also has salary limits, called a salary cap. Check Salary Cap and Stipends or your business office for the latest figure for the current fiscal year. In addition to salary, some institutions may provide fringe benefits as part of an employee's compensation. Make sure fringe benefits are in proportion to the effort devoted to the project and consistently applied for all employees of the same type.
Fringe benefits may include costs such as health insurance, sabbatical leave, retirement savings, child care, overtime, and dues and fees for membership in professional organizations. Institutions may also pay bonuses, retention funds, and incentive payments as part of a compensation package as long as the costs are reasonable. Consultants
Consultants usually provide advice or services and may participate significantly in the research. They work for a fee; they are not considered employees of the applicant organization. They should be listed in the consultant category, not personnel.
Usually, consultant fees are paid by the hour. For example, you would calculate costs for consultants as follows: 300 hours at $50 an hour = $15,000.
Equipment is an instrument, machine, or tool that can be used for more than one year and usually costs no more than $5,000 or an amount set by your institution, whichever is lower. It can be strictly scientific or not, for example, a car or movable trailer is considered to be equipment as long as it is required for your grant. When asking NIH for equipment, request only what you needed to accomplish the proposed work.
For example, to document costs for equipment, you would calculate as follows: Freezer $5,000 and centrifuge $1,200 = $6,200.
Devices over $5,000 and with a life expectancy of over one year are always considered to be equipment. Other than that rule, your institution determines the difference between equipment and supplies (see below), in keeping with its policies.
Supplies include small items and other materials, such as chemicals and glassware used for a project. Itemize requests.
For example, you would calculate as follows: ELISA kits: 100 at $150 = $15,000.
Request travel to visit sites, recruit participants, attend scientific meetings, or for other purposes required for the project. You must use one of the following carriers to travel outside your country:
U.S. flag carriers—carriers that hold a certificate under U.S. code and whose service is authorized by the carrier certificate or by exemption or regulation. Code-share carriers—foreign airlines that have an agreement with U.S. flag carriers. When traveling by air, use coach seating and purchase tickets early for reduced rates.
For exceptions to this rule and further information, see the Fly America Act. Other Expenses Other expenses are other items needed for your project, such as the following: Child care costs: allowable to help people participate as subjects in research projects. Nursery items: allowable for the purchase of items such as toys and games to allow patients to participate in research protocols. Meals: allowable for subjects under study, or where approved as part of the project activity, provided that such charges are not already paid for by participants' per diem or subsistence allowances. Patient-related costs: allowable for research protocol costs, recruitment costs, participant incentives and transportation, and clinical screening tests. Ancillary tests: allowable for people participating in research programs if performed outside of a hospital on a fee or service basis. Data management or statistical analysis of clinical research results. Otherwise allowable direct costs, e.g., travel, meals, consulting physician fees, or any other direct payment to people. When describing other expenses, itemize your request and include calculations.
Facilities and Administrative Costs As a foreign grantee, you can receive up to 8 percent of direct costs (excluding equipment) to pay for F&A expenses.
As a foreign grantee, you can receive up to 8 percent of your total direct costs (excluding equipment) for facilities and administrative costs (F&A). Your organization can use F&A only to pay for expenses such as: Human subjects (including the required education in the protection of human research participants) Animal welfare Financial conflict of interest Invention reporting Research misconduct. Computer systems or file cabinets to keep records. Costs for translating the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Having training sessions on compliance topics, such as audit requirements of OMB Circular A-133. If you meet your F&A costs and still have money left over from the 8 percent, you may be able to rebudget the leftover money to use for other direct costs. Before using the funds, contact your NIAID grants management specialist to discuss rebudgeting. F&A Calculation Example
An international organization receives a grant from NIAID for:
$500,000 direct costs $40,000 F&A (8 percent of the total direct costs, less equipment) $540,000 total costs The organization meets all F&A costs at a total of $32,000, leaving $8,000. The grants management specialist confirms that the remaining money may be rebudgeted.
Therefore, the organization may use the $8,000 for other direct costs. Be sure to document all expenses and be able to demonstrate how you spent your F&A costs. You will need this documentation in case of an audit.
Keep in mind that we do not pay for normal operations of international organizations either as F&A or a direct cost budget expense. Acquisition or depreciation of capital expenditures.
However, you may be able to use grant monies to pay for the costs of inventions, licensing, space rental (where applicable), and patents. Items include licensing fees, attorney's fees for preparing or submitting patent applications, and fees paid to the U.S. Patent Office. Also, the amount you can spend on F&A is proportional to the direct costs spent on your project. For example, if you received $100,000 plus an additional $8,000 for F&A and you only spent $50,000 in direct costs, you can only use $4,000 of the F&A.
If you have questions, talk to your grants management specialist.
Insurance is usually treated as an F&A cost. However, if special insurance is required as a condition of the grant because of risks specific to the project, NIH may allow you to charge the insurance premium as a direct cost. This would require NIH prior approval, and your Notice of Award would need to specify that you are allowed to purchase insurance.
NIH does not pay for customs or import duties.
You cannot charge the following costs to your grant:
Major alterations and renovations—greater than $500,000. Customs or import duties—including consular and visa fees, customs surtax, value added taxes, and other related charges. Full F&A costs—costs greater than the 8 percent F&A rate (except the American University of Beirut and the World Health Organization). NIH will not provide facility costs; however, you may provide justification and request space rental cost as a direct cost based on your specific project need.
Research patient care costs—routine and ancillary services that hospitals provide to research participants provided only in exceptional circumstances and with our approval. Check the Guide announcement for the funding opportunity announcement details. Note: some patient-related costs are allowed in the Other Expenses budget categories of your application or progress report. See Other Expenses.
Currency exchanges. You must use U.S. dollars for all requests. NIH will not routinely use supplemental awards to make adjustments for currency exchange fluctuations. NIH recognizes that some foreign countries have significantly high inflation rates.
Alcoholic beverages. Unallowable as an entertainment expense, but allowable if it's within the scope of your approved research activities.
Entertainment costs. Amusements, social activities, and related incidental costs.
Honoraria. Unallowable when the primary intent is to confer distinction or symbolize respect or esteem for the recipient. Payments for services rendered, such as a speaker's fee for a conference grant, are allowable.
Building acquisition costs.
Construction costs. Contingency funds.
Invention, patent, or licensing costs.
Remember that you have a limited amount of money, and keep in mind your expenditure rate. As soon as you get a Notice of Award, you can start spending funds. . Your Notice of Award is posted in your eRA Commons account within about six to eight weeks after NIAID's advisory Council meeting, earlier if it underwent expedited second-level review. This could take longer if the study section had human or animal concerns or you have a complex grant type. Be aware that you may be able to start spending funds as early as 90 days before that. Your business office must approve because doing so is at your institution's risk since NIH is not yet obligated to award the funds. Find details in our Early Grant Awards Questions and Answers. When working with your grant funds, always remember that you have a limited amount of money, and keep in mind your expenditure rate. Ask yourself:
Am I pacing myself? Am I spending all my money in the first month or two of the project? Am I not spending the money fast enough? Don't depend on your institution to monitor your spending. We expect you to have reasonable monthly expenditures. Consider whether you are using your money for allowable or unallowable costs, which we explained above.
Lastly, if your PMS bank account earns more than $250 of interest in a year, you must return the excess interest as described above at Choose an Interest-Bearing Bank Account.
If you have any questions about using your grant funds, check your terms and conditions of award, consult the NIH Grants Policy Statement, or contact your grants management specialist.
Using Leftover Funds
If you have the authority to do so, you may use funds in the next budget period.
If not, get NIAID's approval to carry over the funds.
NIAID funds you by budget period (usually one year) and expects you to use funds during that budget period. At some point, however, you may find yourself with an unobligated balance—money not spent in a budget period. You may carry over these funds to the next budget period if you have the authority to do so (see your Notice of Award to find out).
You must report the amount unobligated and carried over in your progress report and financial reports. Read more about reporting in Part 7. Annual Progress Report and Part 8. Other Reporting Requirements.
Making a Carryover Request
If you do not have the authority to automatically carry over funds, you must get NIAID's approval. Your institution should send NIAID a request to carry over your funds to the next budget period. Include the following details:
Grant number and name of PI. Why you have funds to carry over. How much money you want to carry over. Why your work cannot be accomplished by using or rebudgeting from current funds. Your scientific justification, if costs are for recurring expenses (i.e., supplies, personnel), and how these expenses will be funded in the future. Your budget and checklist page. Contact information for yourself and your authorized institutional business official. NIAID will make sure you need the funds now and can't find another way to cover your requested expenses. Try to limit carryover requests to your actual needs for the current budget period, and submit your federal financial reports on time—otherwise, we won't grant your request!
If your carryover request represents a change in scope, you'll have a lot more difficulty getting approval. See Importance of Scope of Research and What Constitutes a Change in Scope? in Part 3. Actions You Can Take as the Project Leader.
See the Carryover Requests SOP for more details.
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Last Updated March 31, 2016Last Reviewed November 12, 2014