With many regulations and restrictions placed on grants and contracts, the University has established a budget transfer system for grants and contracts that complies with federal guidelines and provides adequate information for most private and state agencies. For questions about budget transfers, contact Grants Accounting.

Guidelines for Budget Transfers

Budget transfers can only be made by the Grants Accounting staff
Blank Budget Transfer Request forms (instructions for completing a Budget transfer form) can be requested from Grants Accounting
Budget transfers should be made prior to the expenditure of grant or contract funds.
The fiscal agent should bring the request to the Grants Accounting area of the Comptroller's Office (Hovey Hall 105, Mail Code 1200) or fax the request to the Comptroller's Office at (309) 438-2699 where it is reviewed. If it is within the guidelines, the transfer is made and the form is signed by the Grants Accountant.
Grants Accounting will return a copy of the authorized Budget Transfer Request form to the Principal Investigator after the transfer has been completed.
Transfers into the equipment line are regulated by most agencies. The purchase of equipment usually requires prior approval from the agency. The equipment must be directly related to the completion of the grant or contract and the purchase should occur early in the contract because equipment purchases may be prohibited in the last six months of a grant or contract.
Transfers into and out of personnel are restricted by most agencies. Transfers involving personnel may require prior approval from the agency.
Participant support costs are closely regulated and usually require prior agency approval to transfer funds into another category.
Sometimes the Grants Accounting area discovers the need for a transfer and asks the fiscal agent to request a transfer.