The College does not permit spending to begin under a grant until it has received written confirmation of the award from the granting agency. Once the award is confirmed, some federal funding agencies, including the National Science Foundation, permit pre-award spending, giving the PD/PI up to 90 days prior to the actual start date of the grant when grant funds can be spent.
It is the PD/PI's responsibility to understand the funding agency's rules and procedures concerning pre-award spending.