Division of Research and Economic Development:PSI – Proposal Submission Incentive
Sponsored Programs offers the Proposal Submission Incentive (PSI), which encourages faculty to submit proposals to external sponsors through internal funding of their research. PSI awards are distributed monthly into a Research Incentive Account (RIA) for the PI if the submission is found to be eligible as outlined in our Proposal Submission Policy.
Award Calculations
Sponsored Programs calculates the amount of PSI funding for which faculty may be eligible based on the amount requested from external sponsors. Importantly, PSI funding may be granted even if the proposal is not awarded external funding.
| Amount Requested | PSI Amount |
| > = $1,000,000.00 | $1,500.00 |
| $500,000.00-$999,999.00 | $1,000.00 |
| $250,000.00-$499,999.00 | $750.00 |
| $50,000.00-$249,999.00 | $400.00 |
| $15,000.00-$49,999.00 | $200.00 |
Eligibility
To be awarded a PSI account and remain in good standing, there are a few things you need to know.
- First, and most importantly, PSI accounts will only be created if the proposal you submit follows the Sponsored Programs Submission Policy.
- For eligible submissions, Sponsored Programs processes PSI transfers monthly. For example, if you submit your eligible proposal in June, your funding will be awarded in July.
- PSI funding will be awarded to the PI. As a PI, you may allow any co-PIs to allocate expenditures against the account, but that is up to your discretion.
- PSI funding will only be based on a proposal’s ETAMU amount. If a proposal has subawards, the PI will NOT receive funds based on the subawards’ budget(s).
- Contracts will not be considered for PSI funds.
Spending Funds
Rules and regulations determined by both the Texas A&M University System and the State of Texas govern the proper use of PSI funding. Key regulations include, but are not limited to:
- Expenditures must be related to the project.
- PSI funds may not be used for faculty stipends. Course releases may be funded with department chair approval.
- PSI funds will not expire if the account has substantial activity each fiscal year. If PSI accounts are found to be dormant, Sponsored Programs will retrieve all remaining funds. If you are delaying expenditures because you have a large or long-term goal in mind for your account, please submit a justification/spending plan.
- If a PI quits or retires, the PSI account shall be closed, and Sponsored Programs will reclaim all remaining funds. If the researcher plans to continue research as an emeritus faculty member, Sponsored Programs will leave the funds in the PSI account.
Modifications to any aspect of this program may be implemented at any time, as determined by the vice provost for research in consultation with the provost. Such modifications may occur through amendment of this program or through written notice to the deans of affected academic units.
FAQs
What purchases are allowed with PSI funds?
PSI funds may be used for project expenses such as travel, project supplies, publishing fees, course releases for research or for wages paid to a student worker or graduate research assistant. No food or beverage purchases are allowed. Purchased items must follow ETAMU policies and procedures and are considered departmental property.
What if there is more than one PI in Maestro?
If there is more than one PI listed in Maestro, the PSI funds will still be deposited into an account for the PI listed on the General Information tab.
I was awarded funds from an external sponsor, but did not have approvals via Maestro. Can I receive funds from the PSI program?
No. All external funding is required to be submitted through Sponsored Programs. To be eligible for the PSI program funds, all proposals must adhere to the Proposal Submission Policy and receive internal approvals via Maestro before submission and not when the PI receives notice of funding.
I have subawards on my proposal. Do I receive PSI funds based on the amount from the complete proposal or for ETAMU’s share of the budget?
The PI will only be funded on the portion that is ETAMU’s amount.
I am an advisor on a student-led externally sponsored grant. Who receives the PSI funds?
PSI funds will be listed under the faculty advisor’s name. The faculty advisor will decide how the funds are to be used.
Are Co-PIs on externally submitted proposals eligible for the PSI program?
No. Due to accounting issues, only the PI will receive the funds. However, they may allow the co-PI(s) to purchase items and allocate the expenses to their IDC account. The PI can decide whether to share the account number and the amount the co-PI is allowed to spend.
How am I to use the PSI funds?
PSI funds will be put into individual IDC accounts. The accounts will be set up to hold incentive funds for the PI. If you already have an IDC account, the funds will just be added to the existing account. Sponsored Programs do NOT need to approve any expenditures. You, your departmental administrative assistant or budget coordinator may make purchases or travel arrangements as normal by using a OneCard, Emburse or Mane Market and follow those procedures for purchases.
What is the expiration date for my PSI funds?
PSI accounts will not expire; however, your PSI account must have yearly expenditures. If no or minimal expenditures are made, Sponsored Programs will reclaim all funds in the account. If you plan to make a large purchase with accumulated funds, you must submit a written and approved request explaining your spending plan. Please email this to the VPR.
How long will it take for PSI funding to be transferred to my new account?
Sponsored Programs will email all recipients every month for the previous month's submitted proposals to any PIs who are eligible.
Will OSP send updated statements of my PSI account?
No. You are responsible for contacting your departmental personnel to verify your expenditures and the balance of your account.
If I transfer to a different department within ETAMU, will the funds transfer too?
Yes. Funds will stay in the individual's PSI/IDC account despite movement within ETAMU.
If I retire or leave the ETAMU, what happens to my PSI funds?
If a PI will continue performing research as an emeritus faculty member at ETAMU, the PSI/IDC funds will stay in the account for the faculty to use. When a researcher leaves ETAMU and there is already a Co-PI on the project, Sponsored Programs can transfer the funds to the new PI on the project. If there are no other Co-PIs, Sponsored Programs will close the account and retrieve the funds.
Can my PSI/IDC account be used to pay for an ETAMU course’s tuition or fees?
No. That is not allowed.
My question isn’t listed here.
For additional questions or concerns, please contact a PSI Program Administrator (PA).
