Matching Funds Program
The goal of this program, administered by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Dean, is to further promote research and scholarly/creative activity on campus by increasing the University's commitment to providing matching funds for external grants. It is intended to support principal investigators who are pursuing external funding that requires or would be enhanced by a commitment of matching funds.
Guidelines: In all cases, principal investigators should first approach their department or unit (research center, etc.) and then their dean for matching fund commitments. Proposals with partial matching fund commitments from these and/or other sources are more likely to gain additional matching funds from the Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Dean. Proposals that are budgeted fully for the University's federally negotiated indirect cost rate are more likely to gain a matching funds commitment from the VCR&GD.
The following types of requests for matching funds will be accepted:
1. Requests for proposals for basic or applied research submitted to open, competitive, merit-reviewed federal programs where matching funds are required as an indication of institutional commitment. (See first footnote below.)
2. Requests where a matching fund commitment will enhance the merit and impact of the proposed project and thus positively influence the funding decision.
Planning Considerations: To minimize problems, matching funds requests should be completed as early as possible in advance of the proposal due date to ensure that the VCR&GD is on campus prior to the due date and to allow time for negotiation. Procedures and considerations for requesting matching funds are as follows:
1. Contact your ORDA project specialist to assist in development of a budget and for guidance on preparing a matching funds request.
2. Matching funds should emphasize equipment lines, if at all possible.
3. Request matching funds from department chairs/heads of units, and deans.
4. Complete the Request for Matching Funds (see second footnote below for instructions) and take/send/e-mail the request to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Dean (mailcode 4344; Anthony Hall 220).
5. Depending on schedules, it may take several days for the VCR&GD to review and negotiate the amount of matching dollars available.
6. After the VCR&GD has signed the request form, the form will be delivered to ORDA.
7. ORDA staff will notify you about the status of the request.
8. Any cash match (e.g., for equipment or for non-key personnel such as GAs and researchers) from the VCR&GD or other SIUC units must be indicated on the Proposal/Award Checklist. In addition, if the match item does not appear in the budget, it must be cited in the budget justification or the proposal narrative, generally the resources page. (Check the program guidelines; some agencies, such as NIH, don't want to see matching funds in the budget.) The grant's matching funds could be rescinded if you do not meet this requirement.
** The Request for Matching Funds form is in fillable PDF format. If you have Adobe Acrobat 4.0 or higher, you can save the document to your hard drive (hold down SHIFT while clicking on the link), fill it out onscreen, then print it. You can also fill the form out using free Adobe Reader software, although you will not be able to save the filled-out information on your hard drive. If you cannot access PDF files, call ORDA (453-4540) to get a paper copy. The form cannot be submitted electronically; send it to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Anthony Hall 220, mailcode 4344.