Project finance

An important aspect of being a principal investigator (PI) is ensuring that when you are planning a research project you apply for an appropriate amount of funding from a suitable funder.  Similarly when you are successful in being awarded a project grant you will need to ensure that the funds are utilised properly.  Normally the work up until the award of a research project is called pre-award; and that which occurs after a project has been awarded is called post-award.  Many research organisations used these terms in their internal structures.  Sometimes these phases are supported by the same service; sometimes they are split between two services.  For the purposes of this overview a single service called the 'research office' will be assumed.

You should always familiarise yourself with the support available in and the policies of your institution - ensure that you talk to the research office as early as possible.

• If you are currently applying for funding, visit the pre-award page
• Or if you have just been awarded a project, visit the post-award page