The world of granting is strange, mysterious, and confusing. I believe it involves magic.

My postdoc fellowship requires that me and my sponsor/mentor are at the same institution. Since my mentor is leaving MU and I am staying, we need to file Change of Mentor paperwork. This includes a letter from my old mentor relinquishing the project/fellowship.

My old boss verbally told me he would write such a letter after I completed certain tasks I'd agreed to. Everyone I've talked to thinks this was not a nice thing to do. I submitted the requested data, analysis and manuscript (3 separate projects) to him on Friday. He would not sign the letter on Friday, the implication being he had to assess if I'd done a good enough job. I asked if he could let me know by next Friday. He could not. I asked when he could let me know by. He couldn't tell me that either.

At that point I got very scared, finally starting to believe that it is possible he may not sign the letter. Yesterday I called the granting foundation and asked what my options are should he refuse to sign the letter (they'll get back to me). I was just worried sick. I started putting in job applications--we don't want to move until my husband graduates, but if I have no job here we would have to move. I considered talking to a lawyer. Refusing to sign the letter is not illegal, but my sister who is in law school said This-is-not-legal-advice employment law isn't usually about what's legal, but what's ethical.

Today I spoke to a Dean in the Grad School (who is in charge of Postdoc matters). She pointed out that the award is made to the institution, not to me and not to my boss. When he is no longer an employee, the institution could sign for him.

That is a huge relief. There is still the matter of 20% of my salary or taking a pay cut, but I feel more certain of the 80% that is funded through this fellowship.

This sort of "relief" always makes me want to say:
If you are considering a career in academic research, RUN AWAY NOW!