There are special guidelines that must be followed if you plan to transfer or sell research property purchased by university grants or contracts to another institution. These situations usually occur when a project director is moving to another institution and wishes to have the research equipment transferred to the new institution. Detailed guidelines can be found in Standard Practice Guideline (SPG) 520.1. Below is a summary version of the guidelines.

Research property being transferred to another institution:
See Standard Practice Guideline (SPG) 520.1 for detailed procedures regarding the transfer of property to another institution.

The concerns of three separate institutions can influence the decision to transfer research equipment:

• Sponsor: If the sponsor retains full title to the property, then the sponsor decides whether the property may be transferred.

  If sponsor gives the title to the university at some future date after the termination of the grant or contract, then in the interim period both the university and sponsor may be involved in the transfer situation.

• University of Michigan: If the university holds the title, then the decision to transfer remains a university decision.
• Recipient institution: If the university and sponsor agree to the transfer, then the recipient institution must also agree. The recipient institution must process and return the paperwork to the university.

Situations where specialized equipment may be essential to the continuation of a project director's research at the new institution:

• If the university provided a portion of the funds used to purchase the equipment, then the new institution will be asked to reimburse in the same proportion for the appraised value as determined by the Property Control office.
• The equipment is not needed for research continuing at U-M under the direction of others.

Equipment transfer form

The decision to sell research equipment:
The following guidelines must be followed when research equipment is being sold:

• Approval for the sale of research equipment must be made in writing by the department chair, unit head, dean or director.
• The final decision to sell rests with the executive vice president and chief financial officer.
• Property disposition will handle all matters concerning the sale of equipment.
• Full payment must be received before the equipment is removed from university property.
• The purchaser must provide a contact name, phone number, fax number and sign/return the proper documents.