Why it’s important

Whether mandated by the sponsor or proposed voluntarily, cost sharing offered in a proposal becomes a binding commitment once an award is made.  Failure to fulfill the cost-sharing obligation at the proposed level or appropriately document cost sharing commitments from verifiable official University records could result in audit findings and require the return of funds to the sponsor.  The Principal Investigator (PI), in coordination with the department/local administrator, is responsible for funding cost sharing commitments.