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4.5.1 Funding New Programs

Last updated on:
09/05/2014
Formerly Known As Policy Number: 
45

Proposals for new programs, projects, or activities should take into account the feasibility of obtaining required funding as well as the budgetary and other impacts the proposals may have on Stanford University. This Guide Memo is intended to provide a checklist that may be useful to faculty members and others in developing such proposals.

Authority: 

Approved by the President.

Applicability: 

These policies apply to all new programs, projects or activities of the University and/or its schools and units for which external or internal funding is required.

1. Funding Requirements

There are a variety of funding sources and strategies that may be considered depending on the nature of the proposed new program, project, or activity.

a. External Funding — External funding sources include gifts, sponsored projects, and affiliate programs. All required approvals should be secured before seeking external funding.

(1) Gifts from Individuals, Foundations, Associations, or Corporations — Approval under Administrative Guide Memo 4.4.1: Fundraising Approval and Priority-Setting, is required before any gifts are solicited.

(2) Sponsored Project — Approval under Research Policy Handbook Document 14.1, Preparation, Review, and Submission of Sponsored Project Proposals, is required before submitting any sponsored project proposal.

(3) Affiliate Program — Approval under Research Policy Handbook Document 13.4, Establishment of Industrial Affiliates and Related Membership-Supported Programs, is required before submitting any sponsored project proposal.

b. Internal Funding — Internal funding may also be available, subject to the requirements and processes required by the funding sources(s).

(1) Department, school, or University resources — All requirements associated with obtaining funding from the applicable source must be fulfilled.

(2) Existing Gift Funds — Stanford must comply with the terms and conditions of the applicable gift agreement(s) with donor(s) for any existing gift funds proposed to be used to support a program, project, or activity. See Guide Memo 4.1.1: Gifts to the University, Section 5.b(2). Questions should be directed to a staff attorney in the Office of Planned Giving, Office of Development, 326 Galvez Street, (650) 725-4358.

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2. Budget and Institutional Impacts

Proposals should take into account not only the budget required for the project itself, but also its institutional impacts on Stanford University. Given budget, General Use Permit (GUP), and other constraints, Stanford cannot commit itself to support a project unless all such impacts have been considered and approved in advance.

a. Incremental Faculty Billets — New billets cannot be created and filled unless authorized by the President/Provost's Office.

b. Incremental Staff Positions — New billets cannot be created and filled unless authorized by Deans, Directors or Vice Presidents, or their designees.

c. Incremental Graduate Students and Post-docs — New billets cannot be created and filled unless authorized by a member of the Executive Cabinet.

d. Space and Facilities Needs — All requests for new space or reallocations of existing spaces at Stanford are required to be submitted on the  Space Management and Planning - Online Space Request Form. If the project cannot be housed within pre-identified existing available departmental or laboratory space, approval to use other existing space must be sought and obtained under Research Policy Handbook, Document 14.3, Section 2. If the project requires new construction (including temporary structures), building or interior space demolitions, building renovations, and/or other infrastructure projects as described in the Form 1 Policy, approval must be sought and obtained via the electronic Facilities Initiation Form 1.

e. Other Impacts — Approvals may also be necessary in the following areas:

  • Library resources
  • Information Technology resources
  • Operating and maintenance costs
  • Specialized equipment or start-up funds

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