Research How-Tos and FAQs
A-133 Audit
Single Audit Management Letter 2022–2023 (PDF)
Academic Program Planning
Acronyms
Common research-related acronyms
Annual Report
Access recent UW–Madison annual reports through the Office of the Registrar.
Awards
What are the differences between the basic types of awards?
Board of Directors
The Board of Regents provides oversight for the UW System. Review a list of regents currently on the board.
Checks
Timely processing of checks — State of Wisconsin Statutes mandate that revenue must be deposited at least once a week. This statute applies to unrestricted gift checks provided by sponsors/donors to departments and centers throughout SMPH.
Refer to the SMPH Fiscal KB for information on how to deposit donations and process gifts at the University or gifts held at the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association.
Refer to the RSP Check Routing page for information on how to deposit checks for Sponsored Programs and clinical trials.
Compliance
How do I check for compliance in my research?
Confidentiality Clauses in Research Agreements
The UW does allow confidentiality provisions in research agreements, though they must be carefully negotiated by Research and Sponsored Programs to adhere to state statutes and university rules. An example of a research agreement that includes confidentiality provisions might be where a company would like to have a proprietary product evaluated or tested, but does not want the formulation of the product to be disclosed publicly. Of course, the researchers would retain the right to publish their results, but the confidentiality of the formulation would be maintained for a certain period, as agreed to by the sponsor and the UW. Research and Sponsored Programs can assist you with questions about proposed research agreements that contain confidentiality clauses or provisions. Please contact the Division for assistance by routing your proposed agreement or terms in RAMP signed by the PI and Department Chair. You may also want to contact the Division informally with questions before routing takes place. Ultimately, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will negotiate these clauses with the sponsor. If you have questions regarding industry sponsors, contact SMPH Contracts at smphcontracts@med.wisc.edu or Research and Sponsored Programs at contracts@rsp.wisc.edu.
Data Digest
The UW–Madison Data Digest, published in March of each year by the Office of Academic Planning and Institutional Research, provides official numbers on the major dimensions of the university, including students, faculty, staff, and budget. Review current and past Data Digests.
Financial Reports
Current and past UW System Annual Financial Reports
Fixed Price Contracts and Agreements
UW–Madison’s Research and Sponsored Programs policies
Historical Overview
Where can I find a historical overview of the University of Wisconsin–Madison?
Lead Time on Proposals
The SMPH Research Administration Team remains committed to high standards in facilitating submission of proposals. To provide support to all faculty/staff, to be able to meet submission deadlines, and to better serve SMPH, the Research Administration Team has guidance for proposal delivery at least 2-3 days before the agency deadline. Please plan ahead, keep us informed, and let us know how best we can assist you with your submissions.
Participant Support
Information regarding Participant Support Costs can be found on the RSP website.
Program Codes
Information regarding program codes for grants and gifts
Proposal Routing
All proposals (i.e., intents to submit, pre-proposals, full proposals, revisions, renewals, continuations, supplements, subcontracting proposals, and the like) must be routed from the PI to their department, to the SMPH Research Division, to RSP for review and approval before submission. RSP is the institutional authority delegated by the Board of Regents to submit proposals on behalf of PIs for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Submissions without full campus approval are problematic and will not be supported.
Revenue Producing Activities
Information on Revenue Producing Activities can be found on the Fiscal website under Fund and Project Maintenance.
Scholarship/Support Costs
Review Participant Support
Tax Status
Is UW–Madison a 501(c)(3) organization?
Textbook Authorship Contracts
Textbook authorship effort is deemed part of the academic opportunity and responsibility of faculty members – this would be a significant publication that one could add to their respective lists of accomplishments. A textbook authorship contract is not one to which the Board of Regents, University of Wisconsin System, would be a party. As a legal contract, the document will often delineate manuscript deadline dates, the right to secure copyright, publication rights and license, and manuscript submission details; a contract would be directly between the author and the publisher. Income from book royalties should be reported on Outside Activities Reports annually or within 30 days. Options for receiving or allocating royalty income include the following: (1.) Assign all rights to the UW Foundation. If this option is to be considered, one would first need to check with the publisher to discern their policy regarding assigning royalties, whether such should be done at the time of contract signature or later, before text publication. Electing this option would remove this income from the individual’s personal income tax stream; BUT, it may create problems in managing future editions/revisions or in publishing any portions of the work in other venues if desired. (2.) Accept royalties as agreed to under the publisher’s contract and, in turn, donate the royalties to the UW Foundation. An individual’s taxed income may be offset by their deduction for a charitable contribution. Individuals can work with the UW Foundation to establish a discretionary account with funds targeted to generally support their UW–Madison department or targeted specifically to a designated area of research; allocation of funds from such an account would need to be approved by an impartial party (SMPH Dean-level review) or by a department chair. (3.) An individual may elect to retain royalties as personal income, which is absolutely acceptable.