If an answer to your question is not found below, please contact the Office of Research Services (ORS). For more information on many topics mentioned below, consult the PI Handbook and/or an ORS staff member.


  • GENERAL

    What mailing address should I use for proposals? 

    One University Plaza, Youngstown, OH 44555-0001. Do not use a building number or other address. 

    What's my code?

    TIN/EIN:             34-1011998
    DUNS Number: 07-313-1237-0000
    CAGE Number: 1J6Q8
    NAICS Code:     611310
    FICE Code:        3145
    NCES-IPEDS:    206695
    UEI: C5BNR8SHXMM4

    What are YSU's legislation district codes?

    U.S. House of Representatives:   OH-06
    Ohio Senate:     District 33
    Ohio House:      District 59

    What is YSU's regulatory assurance information? 

    Human Subjects Federal-Wide Assurance Number:     FWA00018057
    Cognizant Federal Agency:  United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

    Who is the Authorized Institutional Official (AIO) for sponsored projects at YSU? 

    The Director of Research Services. 

    How far in advance of the deadline should I submit my proposal and budget for review?

    As soon as you begin developing your project plan, contact our office. All proposals submitted in the University's name must undergo an in-house review at ORS and attain all correct institutional approvals before submission. If you submit your project for review a week or less before the deadline, it may not receive a proper review and all approvals. As a result, your project may not be submitted on time.

  • PROPOSAL WRITING & PREPARATION

    Who may I contact to review and suggest edits for my proposal, final report, or other sponsored project document? 

    Contact us at research@ysu.edu or (330) 941-2377. An ORS staff member will assist you. 

  • BUDGETS

    What are YSU's F&A rates? 

    26.30% of  Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC). MTDC is comprised of direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward.

    Why do I need to include F&A or indirect costs in my budget? 

    Facilities and Administration (F&A) or indirect costs support administrative, clerical, and overhead functions that provide a support system for your sponsored project. F&A reimbursements that YSU receives from a sponsor to cover costs such as the depreciation of research buildings and equipment, laboratory utilities, libraries, internet, data transmission and storage, insurance, administrative services, and compliance. Reimbursements for F&A costs are necessary to maintain sponsored projects even if they are not directly attributable to a project.

    Where does YSU's F&A rate come from? 

    YSU's F&A rate is regularly negotiated with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). 

    Where can I find student salary rates? 

    More information about student wages can be found on the Student Employment website.

    Where can I find fringe benefit rates? 

    The current fringe benefit rates for FY23 can be downloaded here, Fringe Benefit Rates. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.  

    What is cost-sharing?

    Cost-sharing or matching funds are project costs not paid for by the sponsor, but by the University or an outside entity in support of a project. Committing University cost share to a project requires written justification and various levels of University approval. 

    How do I calculate and request supplemental pay? 

    Use the Grant-Funded Supplemental Pay form to calculate and request supplemental pay, then attain all required signatures. During the supplemental work, be sure to track your time and effort using the Grant-Funded Supplemental Time & Effort Log

  • POST-AWARD

    Can I accept an award on behalf of the University?

    No YSU personnel—faculty, staff, or students—may commit the University to a grant or contract with an external agency without approval from the YSU associate vice president (AVP) for research. 

    The sponsor notified me that my project was awarded. What should I do next? 

    Notify ORS immediately of the award. We will negotiate the final terms and conditions with the sponsor, assist you with closing the award transaction, and transfer all relevant documents to Grants Accounting. 

    How do I make modifications to my award? 

    Determine the type of modification you need to make. Types of modifications can include: budget modifications, SOW changes, personnel changes, and no-cost extensions. The ORS will assist you with determining if the modification is allowable according to sponsor, federal, and University policies, and help you route the modification request to the correct department or division. 

    How long should I keep my project records? 

    Records of awarded projects should be retained either in physical form or electronically for a minimum of 5 years following the date of the final closeout. Records of projects not awarded should be retained either in physical form or electronically for a minimum of 1 year following the date that the rejection notice was received. If your project becomes subject to audit or any other legal issue during the project period or the retention period, records must be retained until the legal issue is resolved and a final action has occurred plus 5 years. 

    Which project documents should I keep for my records? 

    Minimum record retention requirements include, but are not limited to: RFP, Application/Submission materials, Award announcement, Modification records, MOUs, and Subawards, if applicable

  • SUBAWARDS

    What is a subaward? 

    A legally-binding executed agreement that transfers a portion of research or substantive intellectual effort of a prime award to another institution or organization. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a federal program [2 CFR 200.92].

    What are my responsibilities as a PI regarding subawards? 

    PIs should notify the ORS of their intent to include subawards in their project prior to submission. Once awarded, PIs should monitor and review all sub-recipients' progress on project tasks and milestones and notify the ORS and/or Grants Accounting if any modifications to award terms are needed based on this review.