Pre-award Spending

Advance Account

An advance account may be requested to obtain a grant account number before a new award is fully executed or received. Two common reasons for requesting an advance account are to initiate personnel appointments and procurement actions.

Generally, advance accounts only cover costs incurred within the sponsor approved project period. Many federal sponsors allow advanced spending to occur up to 90 days before the project start date.

Breaks Between Budget Periods

Advanced spending may also be requested to keep your current grant account open while waiting for your next year’s funding increment or for sponsor approval of a no cost extension. This request requires a backup account and is routed for SPA approval through the Institutional Prior Approval Process (IPAS) in InfoEd.

See PI Instructions for Initiating an IPAS to initiate an Advance Account or Break Between Budget Period spending.