SFU Signature Sheet

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1. What is a Signature Sheet?
2. Who must sign a Signature Sheet?
3. Special requirements

What is a Signature Sheet?

The SFU Research Funding Application Signature Sheet (“Signature Sheet” or “Sig Sheet”) is an internal document required (by University Policy R10.01) with all research grant applications. It provides details about your funding application which helps with project setup, resource planning and ensuring compliance for your team, department and the university. It is your responsibility as the Principal Investigator (PI) to submit all SFU Signature Sheets to Research Services by the SFU internal deadline date.

Some sponsors require a cover page or document signed by an “institutional representative” to support your application. It is a good practice to let Research Services know that an institutional signature is required for your application when you are submitting the Signature Sheet. Research Services cannot provide institutional signature for applications not supported by a Signature Sheet because we have no confirmation from the Chair and the Dean with regard to the proposed activities.

Who must sign a Signature Sheet?

SFU requires that a completed and signed SFU Signature Sheet be submitted to Research Services regardless of whether a funding organization requires university sign-off on research funding applications, proposals or letters of intent.

The Signature Sheet must be signed in the following order by:

1. the applicant(s) (i.e. a Principal Investigator),
2. the Department Chair or School Director,
3. the Faculty Dean or Associate Dean,
4. either the Director of Research Services or the Officer, Research Grants, who are designated to sign applications on behalf of the Vice-President, Research., and,
5. where the proposed research uses facilities that are part of a Research Centre or Institute, the Director of said Institute.

Applicant(s)

The Principal Investigator ("PI") or applicant is required to sign in order to indicate his/her acceptance and willingness to carry out the work within the established budget if the application is successful. SFU co-investigators from the same department as the PI are also required to sign this sheet. SFU co-investigators from different Departments and/or Faculties are required to complete and obtain signatures from their Department Chair and Faculty Dean as descripted for the PI. It is the responsibility of the PI to submit all SFU Signature Sheets to Research Services when requesting university signature. Note: All SFU co-investigators who carry out the research funded by a successful application are required to follow the university's research-related policies.

Department Chair or School Director

The signature of the Department Chair or School Director acknowledges the availability in the department of facilities, space and other resources required to carry out the project, including specified incremental resources, and acknowledges the proposed time commitment by the principal investigator to the project.

Faculty Dean or Associate Dean

The signature of the Faculty Dean or Associate Dean indicates his/her approval regarding allocation of space and/or other resources, including specified incremental resources, for the project, within the faculty.

Director of Research Services or Officer, Research Grants

The signature of the Director of Research Services or Officer, Research Grants, signing on behalf of the Vice-President, Research, indicates that the university is prepared to administer funds received for the project, on behalf of the Principal Investigator. Specific terms may be subject to negotiation and final approval.

Special requirements

Many research projects, once awarded, will entail special requirements for the university. These requirements should be anticipated when the proposal is under development, and applicants must state for the benefit of university signatories whether incremental resources are going to be required for the project. These would include such items as:

• Teaching release time with reference to semesters and number of courses (replacement costs to be indicated in the budget section);
• Additional salary (investigator fees) to be charged by the principal and/ or faculty co-investigators for carrying out the research;
• Space over and above that which is currently allocated;
• If overhead is charged at a rate of less than 25% (see section 1 above), provide specific information as to what rate was used and why;
• Equipment, services, facilities, or other resources to be provided by the university.

Download the SFU Signature Sheet