DCS Research and Finance Dialogues
The DCS finance team has held a series of monthly dialogues focused on financial and research topics. The format for these dialogues include a brief presentation by members of the Clinical Sciences finance team, time for open discussion, and additional time after the presentation for questions.
The following topics have been covered. If you have missed any of the previous sessions, feel free to click on the PDF documentations for each topic.
- May 14th – Account Basics PDF & Zoom Recording – General outline of your accounts and their uses, descriptions of some of the restrictions based on funding sources. Overview of how to use your account to complete various transactions and a brief overview of the documentation required for transactions based on funding.
Useful resources: Cornell Buying Manual
June 13th – Internal Grant Submissions PDF & Zoom Recording – Discussion of available calls for proposals, schedule for submissions. Details for the required documentation to complete the submission. An overview of the guideline restrictions, including PI eligibility and allowable budget items. For a list of FAQ’s for internal grants, please refer to this PDF.
- July 9th – Monitoring Cornell Accounts PDF & Zoom Recording – Links to systems where you can view your account information, including your grants, department funds, gifts etc. Provide details on the pros and cons of each system to help you better understand the information. Overview of what the department provides to account managers to assist in monitoring accounts, what the department reviews on your behalf. Policy guidelines for allowable cost transfer justification and documentation.
August 13th – Research Project Notification PDF & Zoom Recording – This presentation is meant to help you navigate some of the emails you receive regarding your funding. What does the communication include and what are the action items to take away from each of them.
- September 10th – Effort on Grants PDF & Zoom Recording – Reminder to contact department staff before inviting anyone to join your lab. Broad information for putting PI and staff effort into a proposal. Details for PI and staff effort paid on your Cornell funds and a quick look at benefit rate options for lab staff. How effort is documented and tracked with the department and University. Preferences for modifying effort for PI and staff and a reminder of who to Contact for modifications.
October 8th – Transaction Allowability PDF & Zoom Recording – Learn more about justifying transactions, common allowable and unallowable transactions.
- November 12th – Indirect vs Direct PDF & Zoom Recording – How can you tell what dollars are spendable? Why pay indirects? Determining rates based on account types.
Useful resources: Cornell Indirect cost rates
December 10th – The Life of an Award PDF & Zoom Recording – An overview of proposal submission, and aspects of post-award administration. How sponsors get us money, how we get money to collaborators, award closeouts and extensions.
January 14th 2025 – No Cost Extensions PDF & Zoom Recording – An overview of what a No Cost Extension (NCE) is. A general department review of the No Cost Extension process, for both internal and external awards. Providing examples of unallowable and allowable NCE reasonings.
February 11th 2025 – Research and Finance Who’s Who in Clinical Sciences PDF & Zoom Recording – An overview of who to contact for help with various aspects of pre and post award administration, research and finance.
March 11th 2025 – Grant Reporting PDF & Zoom Recording – A general overview of grant reporting requirements. Who sets the deliverable dates (internal vs external grants), who is required to complete the different reporting requirements, and who to contact.