Managing Externally Funded Programs at Colleges and Universities: A Guideline to Good Management Practices

The document "Managing Externally Funded Programs at Colleges and Universities," published by the Council on Governmental Relations, provides comprehensive guidelines for effective management of externally funded research and training programs at higher education institutions. It establishes a systematic framework covering compliance, fiscal administration, procurement, equipment, human resources, audits, regulatory protections (such as human and animal subjects), intellectual property, research integrity, electronic administration, and general research management, emphasizing written policies, roles and responsibilities, training, and continuous assessment to ensure adherence to federal, state, and sponsor requirements. The guideline is intended to help institutions review and improve their internal controls and management practices, promoting accountability, ethical conduct, and alignment with evolving regulations, without setting formal standards but serving as a robust reference for good management practices in sponsored programs.