Sponsored Projects is refreshing the RIA Program! These updates represent a proactive effort to enhance efficiency and accountability, which will ultimately better serve the needs of our faculty and staff while advancing our university's mission. Major changes are summarized below.
- We are redefining the acronym of the program to the Recognized Incentive Activity (RIA) Program. This change encompasses the diverse utilization across various programs and units campus-wide, acknowledging that incentivized activities extend beyond traditional research pursuits.
- We are implementing a biannual review procedure, beginning April 2024. Specifically, accounts with no expense activity over the previous 12 months will undergo further review, facilitating more efficient fund allocation and utilization. No funds will be forfeited, or accounts closed, without consulting the account holder.
- Upon employee resignation or retirement, unspent funds in the employee’s RIA will be reclaimed 90 days after the posted university leave date. This change aims to safeguard university resources while promoting responsible fund management.
It's important to emphasize that while RIAs are assigned to individual employees, the funds within them are still university resources and must adhere to all applicable university policies and procedures.
The new policy will officially take effect on May 17th, and the program website will be updated to reflect new guidance and link to the revised policy. If you have any questions, please contact Augusta Isley, Associate Director of Pre Award Development & Outreach at amwray@bsu.edu or 765-285-5033.