Purpose
RSP sets up “seed” funds for new Principal Investigators (PIs) when a grant/contract has been awarded. The purpose of these funds is to collect residuals from terminated fixed price/rate contracts and annual Facilities and Administrative (F&A) distributions. According to FS 1004.22(5), seed funds are to be used to support research or research-related activities that are allowed from university funds. The monies in the funds are distributed as described in the UWF F&A Return Distribution Policy (PDF).
Use and Restrictions of Seed Funds
The following is a list of the common uses for these funds:
- Acquiring research program support supplies, equipment, or services which are normally allowed under the Uuiversity’s procurement policies.
- Support of travel related to research, scholarship, or professional development of individual and/or any assistants or students.
- Professional licenses, certifications or memberships.
- Employment of research support personnel such as OPS staff or students, consultants, or other professionals with special skills to assist in advancing research programs.
- Scholarship/tuition reimbursement for graduate research assistants.
- Buy-out of an individual’s normally assigned activities to pursue an approved research project by charging salary and fringe related to appointment for the equivalent percentage of faculty contact hours during either a regular or summer appointment period (Refer to Use of SEED Accounts for Salary (PDF) 2/4/91 Provost memo.)
Seed funds
MAY NOT be used for the following:
- Overload or extra-state compensation payments.
- A salary supplement or increase over the individual’s established university base rate.
- Costs associated with credit instruction or administrative support.
For further reference, please check the Academic Affairs Faculty Handbook.
Other Prohibited Expenditures
Any purchase or service on the State Bureau of Auditing Reference Guide for State Expenditures (PDF) for which expenditures are prohibited from state funds such as a) promotional gifts (i.e., T-shirts), b) personal compensation items, c) appliances, d) commemorative plaques or items such as e) flowers, f) greeting cards, g) decorative items, h) food, i) beverages, j) meals other than authorized travel, and k) entertainment or lobbying. See Procurement and Contracts Expenditure Restrictions and Guidelines for further guidance.