Office of Sponsored Programs

Procedure  |  Budget Revisions on Contracts and Grants

The Grants Accountant periodically receives requests for changes among and between budget categories that were approved in the contract and recorded on the project activation form. Flexibility for moving funds between budget categories may or may not be permitted by the funding agency; for example, the following section appeared in a contract with a state agency:

The expenditure of funds made available through this contract must adhere to the line items in the attached budget. The CONTRACTOR may request a budget revision to the contract budget by letter, giving full details supporting such request, and submitting a revised budget summary page in the appropriate form and detail, and such adjustment may not be made without prior written approval of the STATE.

It is recognized that the principal investigator/project director needs flexibility in managing project budgets for optimum utilization of funds. In addition, this flexibility would encourage the appropriate expenditure of all project funds in meeting the project objectives.

Procedure

In view of the importance of managing projects within approved budgets, requests for budget changes should, if possible, be anticipated in advance and a determination made (by Research & Economic Development) if the funding agency must approve the changes. Approval will be based on the request meeting one or more of the following criteria:

State Funds

1. If the contract is specific on the issue of moving funds between budget categories, prior approval is to be obtained from the funding agency.

2. If the contract is silent, a maximum of ten percent (10%) change from a budget category may be internally requested through Research & Economic Development provided that the justification is given by the principal investigator/project director. (Although this is a somewhat standard practice, this procedure may not be approved by the state auditors. A sound justification, in writing, for the change with approval of the principal investigator/project director may preclude receiving an audit finding).

Federal Funds

The financial management of non-defense federal funds on non-construction awards may be governed either by 2CFR 200.308 Revision of Budget and Program Plans, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), or the Education Department General Administration Regulations (EDGAR). Furthermore, each individual federal agency may have its own contract terms and conditions. In the absence of specific contract requirements, 2CFR 200 Subpart D-Post Federal Award Requirements contents may be helpful for financial management of projects as applied to Tennessee Technological University.

Other

Non-government funding agencies have their own policies regarding transfer between budget categories; for example, Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Oak Ridge, requires all changes in budget categories to be requested, preferably in advance. If a letter of approval is not on file, it is possible an audit finding will be made.

Implementation

If a change in a budget is requested, the Request for Budget or Program Revision form is to be completed and submitted to Research & Economic Development for review. Note: This form is not required when submitting a budget revision if moving funds is due to Tennessee Tech budget policies and procedures or to clean up lines at the closeout of a project. Review of the budget revisions will take into consideration the original intent of the project; how the budget revision(s) will support the goal(s) of the project; and if the revision is reasonable, allocable, and allowable (see policy on Direct Costs). In the event the request is declined, the principal investigator/project director will be requested to review the budget in line with the project goals/objectives.

A request for changes in budget categories will be initiated by Research & Economic Development to the funding agency's contract division. A request for a budget revision may be denied by the chair, dean, or Research & Economic Development if any of the following occurs:

• Lack of accurate and complete accounting information.
• Insufficient backup documentation.
• Lack of necessary and sufficient justification.
• Lack of appropriate approvals.
• Insufficient funds to cover transfer of expenses. The awarding agency may also restrict the transfer of any funds that would be used for purposes other than those consistent with the original intent of the award.
• Insufficient lead time per agency requirements.

Research & Economic Development will communicate the agency’s response to the principal investigator/project director.

Updated March 27, 2018