Procedures for disbursement of grant funds

After the University Research Committee makes the decision to award money for a research project, travel, or a small project, the funds are transfered to the home department of the faculty mentor of the project. The faculty mentor should assist the student in spending the award funds in accordance with the proper procedures established by the department. There are several things to keep in mind.

Travel expenses

For approved travel expenses (either travel money on a research grant or the travel award), the students will need to spend their own money during the travel, and then apply for reimbursement. For out-of-state travel and for in-state travel that involves overnight stays, there are two forms that have to be filled out: the Travel Authorization Form (it needs to be filed 20 days before the trip, a separate form is needed for each traveler) and the Travel Expense Voucher (that should be filed no later than 5 days after the trip). For in-state day trips, only the Travel Expense Voucher is needed.

The forms and instructions are available at the Financial Services website.

Materials and Supplies

For supplies and specialized materials, your faculty mentor or department should purchase the items via procurement card (this is the method that involves the least amount of paperwork, for the student).

If a personal credit card is used for purchases other than travel, reimbursement will be done via a Miscellaneous Expense Voucher. You will need the original receipts to submit with this form. The form and the instructions are located in the Forms Directory of the Financial Services.

Note that any equipment purchased with the grant funds will remain the property of Towson University.

Other

If your grant included approved funds for Human Participants in Research, please contact the Office of University Research Services for personalized instructions. If you have expenses that do not fall into any of these categories, please contact Dr. Vonnie Shields.