Understanding Signature Authority
Only central offices within the University of Michigan have the authority to sign agreements and contracts on behalf of the University. Find out what researchers can, and cannot, do and which U-M offices have signature authority for various agreement types.
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Signature authority is the designation to officially sign legal agreements on behalf of the University of Michigan that is granted to U-M central offices. This authority is outlined in the U-M Standard Practice Guide (SPG) 601.24.
Faculty, researchers and students do not have the authority to sign (or accept funds to enter into) external research contracts or agreements that commit university resources. Unauthorized legal agreements committing university resources may result in personal liability, institutional liability, breach of contract and/or regulatory non-compliance.
What can researchers do?
A U-M researcher can propose research activity with external sponsors/collaborators, but they do not have the authority to negotiate and approve the legal aspects of any research agreement on behalf of U-M. Researchers may also “sign” institutional forms in the eResearch Proposal Management system. By doing so they authorize the appropriate central office to negotiate and finalize the terms and conditions of the legal agreement.
Before agreeing by signature to any research activity that commits U-M resources, work with a research administrator to complete the appropriate form(s) to obtain institutional approval.
Who has signature authority?
Below lists various types of agreements or contracts and who in U-M has signature authority. For full details, see SPG 601.24. Remember to start the process with a research administrator. Find contacts by department.
- Research contracts up to $250,000: Office of Research and Sponsored Projects, Office of the Vice President for Research
- Research contracts above the $250,000 threshold and outgoing subawards: Office of Contract Administration (OCA), Finance-Sponsored Programs or U-M’s executive vice president/chief financial officer
- Material transfer agreements: Innovation Partnerships
- Facility use agreements: U-M Real Estate Office
- Gifts to U-M: Office of University Development