Faculty Handbook

SUNY College of Optometry

Faculty Handbook 2022-23

RESEARCH SALARY OFFSET The College typically funds a minimum of 20% effort for faculty conducting active research programs. Faculty with grants will not be required to fund more than 30% of their base salary from their grants for up to a total of 50% research time but faculty may elect to fund more to increase time dedicated for research. The percentage of faculty assignment for research, teaching, clinic, and service will be determined annually by the department chair, the Associate Dean, and the VPAA. See policy on Research Salary Offset, F&A Distribution, and Bridge Funding. FACILITIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS With approval of the VPAA, faculty who are PIs on grants that generate F&A for more than two years may receive funds for discretionary use equaling 5% of the annual F&A to the institution. These funds will be distributed at the end of the fiscal year and may be carried over from year to year. With the approval of the VPAA, faculty paying more than 30% salary offset from grants may receive additional discretionary funds up to 50% of the F&A generated by the additional salary offset for the PI. See policy on Research Salary Offset, F&A Distribution, and Bridge Funding. BRIDGE FUNDING Faculty PIs with at least three years of continuous prior funding will be eligible for bridge funding during unfunded if the funds are available. An “unfunded period” begins when a research program has no remaining source of extramural funds (including no cost extensions) and all balance awards and discretionary funds have been used. Any bridge funds provided will be used to maintain existing research programs for the development of new grant applications for further funding. Accessing bridge funds is contingent upon at least one grant application each year. If funding has not been procured after two years, bridging funds may be discontinued and faculty assignments will be revised by the department chairs and the VPAA. See policy Research Salary Offset, F&A Distribution, and Bridge Funding. BALANCE AWARDS A balance award account will be created for the principal investigator (PI) of an industry-sponsored research project for unexpended funds remaining after the program is reconciled and closed. A project that does not include F&A costs will not be eligible for a balance award. Balance awards for projects with no PI salary offset may not exceed $3000. Balance awards for projects with PI salary offset (including applicable fringe benefits) may not exceed the sum of the project’s annualized salary offset and $3000. For example, for a PI with an annual salary of $100,000, a 6 month project with budgeted 10% PI salary and applicable fringe benefit offset will have an allowable balance award that may not exceed $5000 ($100,000 x 10% x 6/12) + $3000 = $8000. The balance award funds will be available to the PI for 24 months. Funds may only be used for expenditure such as computers, software, books, authorized travel to professional meetings, or for other research-related expenses on authorized research projects. Any questions about appropriate expenditures should be directed to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. After 24 months, any remaining funds will be transferred to the research operating account of the College. PIs can request an extension beyond the 24-month period to have access to funds for specific research-related purposes by applying in writing to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at least one month before the end of the 24-month period.

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