Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know if my proposal should be considered a gift or a sponsored program? And what difference does it make?
It is important to determine the nature of an award as there are different policies and procedures in place for applying for as well as for managing gifts versus sponsored agreements. However, it can be difficult to make this distinction. Typically, a sponsored agreement is related to an exchange transaction and has one or more of the following general characteristics:
- Scholarly terms or a statement of work
- Formal deliverables such as progress reports or performance objective
- Specific terms regarding fiduciary responsibility or payment contingencies
- Specified terms regarding disposition for property upon conclusion of the project
- Proposal submission required by the sponsoring agency
If you still are unsure about the nature of your award, please feel free to contact our office for additional clarification.
- How far in advance should I submit my proposal to the Grants & Contracts Office?
Principal Investigators should submit proposals at least five working days prior to the agency's postmark deadline.
- Is there an internal form required for University officials to review/approve my proposal and where can I get one?
Yes, there is a form. A copy of the proposal must be submitted to the Grants & Contracts Office with a Proposal Transmittal Form attached. The first three University signatures are the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to obtain. The form can be downloaded from this website, emailed as an attachment, faxed, or mailed via Campus Mail. Contact Chiquita Porter or DeLaine Samples for methods other than downloading from this web site.
- What is the Facilities and Administrative (F&A or indirect) cost rate?
Contact DeLaine Samples (x2627) or Chiquita Porter (x2801) in the Grants & Contracts Office for Mercer's Indirect Cost Rate.
- What is Mercer's Congressional District?
Mercer is located in the 2nd Congressional District beginning 2013.
- What is Mercer's House District?
Mercer is located in the 143rd district.
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What is Mercer's Senate District?
Mercer is located in the 26th district.
- What is Mercer's tax status?
Mercer is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- What is Mercer's EIN/Tax ID #?
Contact DeLaine Samples (x2627) or Chiquita Porter (x2801) in the Grants & Contracts Office for Mercer's EIN/Tax ID #.
- What is Mercer's DUNS?
Contact DeLaine Samples (x2627) or Chiquita Porter (x2801) in the Grants & Contracts Office for Mercer's DUNS.
- What is Mercer's School of Medicine Organizational Component Code?
Mercer's School of Medicine Organizational Component Code is 01.
- How do I find out about funding opportunities?
The Grants & Contracts Office has provided a Funding Search Request Form and SPIN Plus Funding Opportunities Database to aid in locating funding opportunities. Another option is to contact Grants and Contracts staff at x2801 or by e-mail at porter_c@mercer.edu.
- What rate do I use for fringe benefits for personnel in my proposal?
For fiscal years beginning after July 1, 2007, the fringe benefit rate varies with regards to personnel. Please contact DeLaine Samples (x2627) or Chiquita Porter (x2801) for the actual rate for your budget.
- Can I use unrecovered or waived indirect costs as cost sharing in my grant?
No, Per OMB Circular A-110 Section C.23.b "Unrecovered indirect costs may be included as part of cost sharing or matching only with the prior approval of the Federal awarding agency." Mercer University does not have prior approval from our cognizant agency, The Office of Naval Research (ONR), to categorize unrecovered indirect costs as cost sharing or matching.
- What is Mercer University's National Science Foundation (NSF) Awardee Organization Code?
Mercer University's NSF Awardee Organization Code is 0015800000.
- What is Mercer University's Institutional Profile Number (IPF) for the National Institute's of Health?
Mercer University- Institutional Profile Number (IPF) for NIH is 1477803.
- Whom do I contact if my proposal involves the use of human subjects?
The contact person for the application and guidelines for involvement of human subjects is Ava Chambliss-Richardson.
- Whom do I contact if my proposal involves the use of animals, infectious agents, hazardous chemicals, or radioactive materials?
The contact person for the use of infectious agents, hazardous chemicals or radioactive materials is Alan Baca.
- Whom do I contact if my proposal involves the use of animals?
The contact person for the use of animals is Ajuania White.
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