Because institutional awards for sponsored and creative work are made to the University of Montana and not to individuals, proposals and agreements require an institutional signature.  

As Chief Executive Officer, signature authority resides with the President.  For sponsored activities, the President delegates this authority to the Vice President for Research, who in turn officially delegates this responsibility to the Director and others in the Office of Sponsored Programs. Additionally, OSP personnel have delegated authority to sign proposals, awards, modifications, and financial reports based on their role.     

When any proposal or award paperwork requires a signature, it is that of an Institutional Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) and is secured from OSP. A sponsored agreement signed by an unauthorized individual will be deemed null and void.

See UM Policy 200: Signature Authority.