My department head/dean/co-PI is out of town. Can I route the Internal Approval Form without this signature?

These signatures are required components of the Internal Proposal Approval Form. If signatures are missing, the entire proposal package will be returned to the PI to obtain the required signatures. If the Co-PI is not available to sign, obtain an e-mail from the Co-PI which explains his/her participation in the project and effort committed, and attach the e-mail to the Internal Proposal Approval Form. If the department head or dean is unavailable for signature, you may obtain signature from his/her designated signature authority. However, an e-mail from the department head/dean acknowledging the project and deferring the signature is recommended.