Information for Deans and Heads
Head of Department or Dean:
- Must ensure that all researchers working for the Department become familiar with University, Faculty and Departmental requirements and policies for research.
- Must check, approve and sign the Budget Form for Research. By signing the form, the Head or Dean agrees with the budget and how it will be used (as described in the form).
- Are authorised to sign some of the Standard University Agreements, as described on the Standard Agreements page. It is their responsibility to ensure that the Conditions of Use have been observed and that s/he is indeed authorised to sign the agreement presented by the researcher.
- Are authorised to sign Third Party Confidentiality Agreements, provided that the Conditions of Use are strictly observed and they are confident in signing the agreement without Research Office review. Contracts can contain clauses that are onerous or of high liability to the University, and the Head or Dean may prefer Research Office review before signature. Contact the Research Office and request an agreement review.
NOTE: When delegating signature authority to a third person, it is the Head of Department’s responsibility to ensure the delegate is aware of the responsibilities involved in authorising the signature of research contracts.
Deans only
- Only a Dean may authorise waiver or reduction of the minimum overhead (35% in most cases). The Chief Investigator must provide the Research Office with documentation showing that this approval was granted. This may be in the form of an email, memorandum, letter or by way of a signature on the overheads section of the Budget Form.
- Any agreement over AU$1,000,000 must include a Budget Form and Execution Request Form signed by the Dean. This includes any future amendments to these contracts.
- The Faculty of Medicine requires the Dean’s approval of Budget Forms for all projects, independent of value.