Types of Sponsored Awards

Federal Grants

• Project conceived by investigator
• Performer defines details and retains scientific freedom
• Agency support in the form of assistance
• Agency maintains cognizance
• Funds are provided through unilateral funding mechanism

Federal Contracts

• Project conceived by agency
• Agency exercises direction or control
• Agency closely monitors progress
• Funds are provided through an agreement signed by both parties

Non-Federal Agreements

• Sponsors – foreign, state and local governments, industry, foundations, and other non-profit research institutions
• Project conceived by investigator and refined through discussions with sponsor to create a consensus proposal
• Performer defines details, but, sponsor helps shape direction and objectives
• Performer retains scientific freedom
• Agency exercises direction and closely monitors progress
• Funds are provided through an agreement signed by both parties with regard to conduct of research and rights to use the research outcomes and deliverables

When the federal government or other entity decides to fund research or other sponsored activities, there are several different types of awards that can be used. Assistance awards (grants) allow the most flexibility. Procurement awards (contracts) tend to be more restrictive because they normally require specific deliverables.

Assistance Awards

Grants. Defined as assistance bestowed without expectation of any tangible deliverables other than a final report. It is the appropriate agreement to use in a relationship between the federal government and a recipient whenever:

• The principle purpose is the transfer of money, property, services, or anything of value to the recipient in order to accomplish a public purpose of support, and
• There is no substantial involvement anticipated between the government agency and the recipient during performance of the activity.

Cooperative Agreements. Defined as assistance that substantially involves the sponsor in the outcome of the research results. It is the appropriate agreement to use in a relationship between the federal government and a recipient whenever:

• The principle purpose of the transfer of money, property, services, or anything of value to the recipient in order to accomplish a public purpose of support, and
• There is substantial involvement anticipated between the government agency and the recipient during performance of the activity.

Procurement Awards

Contracts. Generally described as a procurement action. The sponsor is procuring research from the institution and acts as the technical overseer. It is the appropriate agreement to use in a relationship between the federal government and a recipient whenever:

• The principle purpose of the agreement is for the government to acquire property or services for direct benefit and use of the federal government, and
• There is substantial involvement between the governmental agency and the recipient during the performance of the activity.

Use this checklist to determine what type of relationship is most appropriate for your project when working with an individual, company, or organization. It is important to consider the substance of the relationship when determining which type exists.  OSP verifies the relationship during its review of your project. If the project is funded and the entity is a subawardee or consultant, an agreement will be established.

OMB Uniform Guidance Part 200, Subpart D, Post Federal Award Requirements, defines subawardee and vendor/professional service (consultant) relationships as follows:

Subawardee (Subrecipient/ Subcontractor) is defined as a non-federal entity that expends Federal/State awards received from a pass- through entity to carry out a Federal/State program, but does not include an individual that is a beneficiary of such a program. It may also be a recipient of other Federal/State awards directly from a Federal/State awarding agency.

Vendor/Professional Service (Consultant) is defined as a dealer, distributor, merchant, or other seller providing goods or services that are required for the conduct of a Federal/State program. These goods or services may be for an organization’s own use or for the use of beneficiaries of the Federal/State program. (*see checklist above for further clarification between the two types)

For questions or clarification awards@mbl.edu.