Close
Find guidance on audit requirements for externally funded research.
All funders expect recipient institutions of external research funding to provide assurance that public funds are spent efficiently and in a cost-effective manner. Project funding should therefore be managed appropriately and only expended for the purpose for which it is awarded.
Some research projects are subject to financial audits initiated by the funder. Scientific and management risk audits may also take place.
All sponsored research audits are managed by the Award Services team. Please contact them with any audit query or if you are approached by a funder or by a funder’s appointed auditor with regard to arranging an audit.
Individual project audits
As part of the reporting process for some research projects, there may be a requirement to include an independent report prepared by an external auditor of factual findings according to the term and conditions of the award.
Funders who require this include
Institutional audits – UCL
Some funders (or their appointed auditors) conduct audits covering UCL’s research management procedures, processes and the financial transaction controls of specific research projects. This is to ensure that expenditure has been incurred according to the terms and conditions of the award and UCL financial regulations.
Visits usually span several days and all funders have the right to audit the research they fund.
Recent audits completed:
- European Court of Auditors and the European Commission
- UKRI Assurance Programme
- National Institutes of Health (USA)
- Wellcome Trust
- Cancer Research UK
- Royal Society
- Bill Gates Foundation
During all visits, the external auditors may wish to interview the Principal Investigator (PI) and project staff as well as local administrative staff with regard to the current progress of the research project and local management of the project in accordance with UCL policies and award terms and conditions.