OFFICE OF SPONSORED PROGRAMS

TYPE OF AWARD MECHANISM

DESCRIPTION

Grant

Funding awarded without expectation of specific outcomes. Sponsor has no substantial involvement in the work and does not direct the scope or line of inquiry.

Cooperative Agreement

Funding awarded, but sponsor has substantial involvement in the direction of the project or is a partner in the work.

Contract

Procurement. Sponsor is purchasing goods and services and provides technical oversight.  Substantial sponsor involvement is common. Terms and conditions governing the project are identified, negotiated and confirmed prior to accepting contract.

Two basic types of contracts:
Reimbursable: Payment is made based on actual expenditures incurred. Invoices are submitted and detail may be provided by line item or deliverable.

Fixed Price: Payment is made in a lump sum and any funds remaining at the end of the project are not returned to the sponsor.  Conversely, no provision is made for additional funding if project expenditures exceed the awarded amount.                               

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

CONTRACTS

GRANTS

Specific scope of work

Loosely- defined scope of work

Milestones; tasks

Annual progress reports

Deliverables

Final report/ publications

Request for Proposals (RFP’s)

Program Announcement

Customized award document

Pro forma award letter

University signature typically required

No signature typically required

Federal Acquisition Regulations are incorporated into contract clauses (if a federal contract or federal flow-through)

Agency policy manual is incorporated by reference as regulatory guide