This page outlines important updates to Research Foundation project numbers and provides a quick reference for understanding your account structure. Project numbers now include an additional letter in the suffix to support improved reporting, award tracking, and system performance. While your funding, budgets, and accounts remain the same, you will need to use the updated number format when processing transactions. The information below explains what changed, where to find your new number, and how project accounts are organized.
RF Sponsored Research Project numbers will now include an additional letter in the suffix.
- The main project number (prefix) is not changing
- The numeric portion of the suffix remains the same
- Be sure to include the new letter when entering the number
This applies to reimbursements, Advance Travel Authorizations, Visa statements, consultant forms, PCard forms, and any other manual entries requiring RF project numbers.
A crosswalk file is available to help you quickly match old project numbers to the new format:
👉 https://www.odu.edu/sites/default/files/2026/documents/ODURF ProjectNo_Crosswalk.xlsx
What else is changing
Other updates are internal improvements to reporting, award tracking, and system performance. No additional action is required from faculty.
How to Read Your Sponsored Project Account Number
To help you quickly understand how your funding is organized, each sponsored project account includes a short suffix at the end of the number.
This suffix simply tells you how the funds are structured — for example, whether the account represents a regular award, a specific project year, a task order, or cost share.
You don’t need to memorize these codes, but knowing what they mean can help you:
- recognize which account to charge expenses to
- understand why multiple accounts exist for one project
- track funding by year or task
- avoid confusion when reconciling budgets
- see both the detailed accounts and the full project rolled up under one award
Use the quick guide below as an easy reference when reviewing your accounts or working with your department administrator.
Sponsored Project Account Suffix Guide
(Faculty Quick Reference)
How to read your account
PREFIX–Suffix
- Prefix = your main award number
- Suffix = tells you what kind of funding or structure it is
Example: 123456-T012
Common Research Accounts
| Suffix | What it Means | When You’ll See It |
| - R### | Regular project | Standard single or multi-year award |
| - Y### | Year (incremental) funding | Funding split by year (Y001 = Year 1, Y002 = Year 2) |
| - T### | Task order | Individual projects under a master/IDIQ agreement |
| - M### | Mini-grant | Small internal/child award under a larger parent project |
| - S### | Split PI | Separate account for co-PI budget splits (limited use) |
| - C### | Clinical Trial Agreement | Industry- or sponsor-funded clinical studies with milestone, per-patient, or performance-based billing |
Administrative / Support Accounts
| Suffix | What it Means | Purpose |
| - A801 | Program Income / admin | Program income or internal setup |
| - A901 | Match / Cost Share | Cost-share or matching funds |
| - U001 | Research Support | University-funded research support (not sponsor-funded) |
| - F451 | RF Operations | Internal Research Foundation operations only |
Other
| Suffix | Purpose |
| - Z999 | Reserved for future special cases |
| - D001 | Deleted project (kept for history, not active) |
Quick Examples
- 123456-M001 → Mini-grant under a larger award
- 123456-T012 → Task Order #12
- 654321-Y001 → Year 1 funding
- 888888-R001 → Regular project
What changed?
A letter was added to the suffix of each project number.
Did my funds or account change?
No. This is a numbering enhancement only.
Where do I find my correct number?
In the Research Portal or the crosswalk file found here:
👉 https://www.odu.edu/sites/default/files/2026/documents/ODURF ProjectNo_Crosswalk.xlsx
What if I use the old number by mistake?
Your transaction may be delayed. Please use the updated number going forward.
Still need help?
Contact the Research Foundation team at rfhelpdesk@odu.edu.