Authorized Signature

The University’s Board of Trustees has authorized the Associate Vice President for Research Administration, Director of University Research Administration to sign all federal proposals for grant and contract funding prior to their submission and all federal and non-federal grant and contract awards upon acceptance. The signature of an authorized official certifies that commitments made on grants and contracts can be honored; verifies the accuracy of information provided on grant proposals or contract agreements; and ensures that all sponsored agreements conform to federal regulations, agency guidelines, and University policies.

The signature of the principal investigator is also required on proposals submitted for sponsored funding. As part of the University’s supporting documentation, signatures of chairpersons and deans are also required as endorsements for proposal submission. Administrators should confer with appropriate offices in their academic units to determine the signatures required by that academic unit.

A certificate issued by the Secretary of the University which certifies that the Associate Vice President for Research Administration, Director of University Research Administration is authorized to sign proposals and awards on behalf of the University may be included in grant and contract proposals if requested by a sponsor. A sample of this certificate is reprinted below.

Certificate

I, the undersigned, LORI A. BERKO, Do Hereby Certify that I am the duly elected and qualified Secretary of the University of the University of Chicago, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, and the keeper of the corporate seal and records of said corporation.

I do further certify that JENNIFER PONTING is the duly appointed Associate Vice President for Research Administration and Director of University Research Administration of The University of Chicago; that as such she has the responsibility for the administration of grants, contracts, and other forms of financial support for research and training programs conducted at The University of Chicago.

I further certify that in carrying out the responsibility of her office, JENNIFER PONTING is authorized to give assurances, make commitments, and execute such documents on behalf of the corporation as may be required by Federal and State agencies and other organizations which provide financial assistance to the corporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said corporation, this 19th day of July 2021.

LORI A. BERKO
Secretary of the University
The University of Chicago