Anticipation Funds and Pre-Award Spending
Anticipation Funds
Anticipation funds should be requested when there is a delay in award execution, but a high degree of certainty that the project will be funded. The unit may begin spending when all regulatory and compliance requirements have been met. Using anticipation funds is a best practice to minimize the number of cost transfers onto an award. The academic unit that owns the anticipation fund is responsible for covering the costs if the anticipated grant or contract is not awarded.
Pre-Award Spending
Most federal agencies allow pre-award costs up to 90 days prior to the formal starting date of a grant, provided that incurring these costs is necessary to conduct the project. Some agencies do not allow costs to be incurred before the project start date regardless of when the formal notification of award is received. Before requesting an anticipation fund, units are responsible for knowing whether pre-award costs are permitted by the sponsoring agency, or if prior approval is needed.
Requesting an Anticipation fund
In order to request an anticipation fund, use the online Anticipation Request (GC70) form.
First time users
When you attempt to log into the system, you will be prompted to fill out a request for access. Once this request has been approved and processed, you will be able to use the same link to log in and begin working on the request.
Start Date
The start date on the anticipation fund request should be the expected project start date of the pending award. The end date should be 90 days after the expected start date. The anticipation fund will expire after 90 days; if the award hasn’t been fully executed at that point, you will need to request an extension from the assigned grant specialist. Please keep in mind that if the proposal is not funded or the award has a conflicting effective date, all unallowable charges must be promptly transferred to an unrestricted departmental fund.
Transition from Anticipation into Awarded fund
The anticipation fund will become the “permanent” fund when the award is fully executed by the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). Once the award budget is entered in Banner, the grant specialist will send a Notice of Banner Codes Assignment to the business manager.