NuRamp Routing and Approvals

NuRamp Routing

The sponsored programs module in NuRamp is UNO's internal system for approving and tracking external funding to the university for all sponsored projects.

Each NuRamp form contains the basic information needed to understand the scope of work being proposed, including but not limited to:

• Sponsor information
• Sponsor deadline; including specific submission instructions
• Project abstract
• Funding opportunity/solicitation information
• OSP approved project-budget
• Any cost share being contributed to the project

In order to “route,” all final business-related elements must be approved by OSP and uploaded on the NuRamp form:

• UNO budget (OSP approved, your Grants Coordinator will upload the final document)
  • All cost share must have already been discussed/confirmed with applicable dept/college/unit approvers
• Project description/abstract (draft, does not have to be final)
• Subrecipient Commitment forms; as applicable
  • Including budget, budget justification, statement of work, and other required documents

And the following applicable items have already occurred:

• The Principal Investigator (PI) has completed all applicable NuRamp forms; and
• PI has reviewed their departmental and unit approvers (routing) for accuracy; and

The PI will initiate routing once all applicable/required documents have been uploaded, forms completed, and the routing review has occurred.

If these documents are not reviewed and approved by OSP before routing, the form will be canceled and will be re-routed once all approved documents are uploaded. This can jeopardize the proposal submission and put it at risk of being considered late. Please ensure that all documents have been reviewed and approved by OSP prior to routing.

NuRamp Approvals

Once the form pages are complete and routing is initiated, it is electronically sent to the key stakeholders for each department, school, unit, and/or college

The key stakeholders for each sponsored project include:

• Key personnel performing the proposed work. This includes the UNO Principal Investigator (PI), any Co-PIs, and other senior personnel.
• Administrative personnel in the departments, colleges, or centers. This includes Deans, Department Chairs, and Center Directors.

Each stakeholder receives an email signifying that the form is routed and ready for review. The individuals can then either approve the form or decline the form in order to make major corrections.

• Please contact the grant coordinator prior to declining a form, they may be able to make edits without needing to decline the form.

It is on the PI to ensure all the routing forms are complete and accurate before routing. If a form is incorrect, it will be re-routed with corrections and re-approval from any stakeholders who had previously approved the form.

NuRamp Review: Key Stakeholder Review Considerations

There are four major areas to consider when reviewing an external project.

1. Overall:
   • Does the project make sense to undertake (e.g. strategically, financially)?
2. Personnel:
   • Effort/time – Are project personnel over-committed or unlikely to be able to perform the work? Are the correct amount and type of person months noted (academic/summer) for project personnel?
   • Appointments – Have the correct department, college, and/or centers (if applicable) been designated for project personnel?
3. Budget / Justification:
   • Is the budget reasonable for the proposed scope of work?
   • Is any cost share being committed necessary and available to the project?
   • Is the appropriate Facilities & Administrative rate being applied?
   • Note: If a waiver is requested, approval is required from both the department chair & the college dean and then also from the ORCA Associate Vice Chancellor for Research. Please contact your grants coordinator for detailed information on seeking a waiver/reduction in F&A.
4. Compliance:
   • Are responses consistent with the type of work to be performed (e.g. Human Subjects/Vertebrate Animals noted if proposed/budgeted)?
   • Are any special considerations for requirements beyond the life of the agreement, such as Intellectual property, additional space/equipment needs, etc., noted on the form?
   • Are any special restrictions, such as limits on foreign involvement, export-controlled items/technology, or required prior approvals, noted on the form?
   • Should you have any questions, please reach out to the PI, the departmental specialist, or the grants coordinator involved in the project.

It is the responsibility of the PI to ensure all approvals are completed prior to submission. The OSP office does not reach out to individual stakeholders/approvers. OSP will not submit proposals that do not have fully routed and approved NuRamp forms.