Trusted Funder and Fast Track Policy

This policy applies to all University staff members involved in the activation or management of externally funded research projects.

To support the timely activation of research projects by permitting projects with trusted funders to be activated prior to contract execution.

Timely activation of research projects is critical for the on-time delivery of research milestones and deliverables to funders.

It is acknowledged in many instances the contract is not able to be executed prior to the start date but certain activities are necessary to be carried out so that the research project can commence immediately after the contract is executed.

Fast Track allows such research projects to incur relevant expenditure to allow commencement of the research project upon execution of the contract.

1. All domestic public sector organisations and domestic charities are eligible to be placed on the list of Trusted Funders subject to the satisfactory completion of standard credit check and supplier setup processes.

Note: The current list of trusted funders is detailed in the Project Activation Guidelines and is maintained by the Research Operations Centre.

2. Research projects from trusted funders administering public good funding are eligible to be fast-tracked prior to contract execution once written notification has been received that specifies the research award value, start date and end date plus any other criteria as outlined in the “Fast Track Guidelines”.

Note: The fast track process steps implemented by the Research Operations Centre are detailed in the Project Activation Guidelines.

3. Research projects that have been fast tracked are permitted to incur all forms of acceptable expenditure on or after the project start date. Prior to the start date, expenditure is limited to recruitment costs and any other costs deemed permissible under the "Fast Track Guidelines”

4. If a fast-tracked project is at risk of being unable to reach contract execution within a reasonable timeframe, a discussion between the Principal Investigator and Director of Faculty Finance will determine next steps.

5. For projects that are closed prior to contract execution, the overspent (debit) project balance will be managed in accordance with the Balances of Research Project Accounts at Project End Policy.

The following definitions apply to this document:

Acceptable expenditure has the meaning set out in the Acceptable Expenditure on Externally Funded Research and Consulting Projects Policy

Domestic charity means a charity registered under the Charities Act 2005.

Domestic public sector organisation means:
- local authorities and council-controlled organisations under the Local Government Act 2002,
- tertiary education institutions, crown research institutes and other crown entities, as defined in section 7 of the Crown Entities Act 2004,
- public service departments and departmental agencies listed in Schedule 1 and Schedule 1A of the State Sector Act 1988,
- any other public sector organisation on the list of central government organisations maintained by Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission.

Public Good Funding means:
- NZ Government Contestable Funds,
- NZ Public Sector Contract Research,
- NZ Non-Government Income (from Domestic Charities Only).

Notification refers to either:
- Award Letter from the Trusted Funder,
- Executed MoU between the Trusted Funder and the University,
- Written correspondence from the Trusted Funder

Research has the meaning set out in the Research and Consulting Incentives Policy.

Staff member refers to an individual employed by the University on a full or part-time basis.

Trusted funder(s) means a designed status given to a funding organisation that meets the relevant criteria set out by the University

University means Waipapa Taumata Rau | the University of Auckland and includes all subsidiaries.

Include the following:

• Research and Consulting Incentives Policy
• Acceptable Expenditure on Externally Funded Research and Consulting Policy
• Project Activation Guidelines

Owner:    Director of Research Strategy and Integrity
Content manager:  Research Services Improvement Manager
Approved by:   Vice Chancellor
Date approved: 3 April 2023
Review date:    30 November 2025