Many people on campus do know all of their university's rules
and regulations.  They are usually expert in some substantive
field (chemistry, genetics, music) but the sponsored programs
people are expert in those rules and regulations plus those
of the sponsor.  It is the job of the sponsored programs staff
to catch and help the proposal writer fix violations of those
rules and regulations.  Our staff do not review the science or
other substance of the proposal, only the parts that relate
to university and sponsor policy.  For example, often faculty
will promise the sponsor that if the project is funded, a
center or institute or named chair will be established.  Only
the Regents of the university can set up such things so this
would be "false advertising" by the proposal submitter.  How
often would there be mistakes (if not omissions) in the
caclulation of indirect costs if budgets were not checked.
Would faculty remember to get human subject approvals?
Would they arrange for the cost-sharing they are offering
in the proposal?

So if you mean review for substantive content, I say no; but
if you mean policy and budget review I suggest it's needed.
Bob
xxxxxx@umich.edu
Senior Project Representative
Division of Research Development and Administration
The University of Michigan
 ------ From: Research Administration Discussion Group, Wed, May 22, 1996
------

Dear Colleagues:

A philosophical question for general discussion:

Why should a central university office review and approve proposals before
they are submitted to external sponsors?

----------------------------------------------------------
Martha M. Taylor,   Director               (334) 844-4438
Contracts and Grants Administration         FAX (334) 844-5953
307 Samford Hall
Auburn University,  AL  36849-5131
xxxxxx@mail.auburn.edu