Sponsored project basics
What is a sponsored project?
Sponsored projects include all extramurally funded research, instruction, service, or scholarly activity binding the university to a defined scope of work or set of objectives that provide a basis for sponsor expectations. All sponsored projects are managed through the University to assure compliance with these terms as well as applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
Other factors that make a project a sponsored project
- Terms and conditions
- Defined scope of work
- Period of performance
- Deliverables
The term “sponsored project” is synonymous for
- Grant
- Contract
- Cooperative agreement
- subcontract
- Purchase Order
Sponsored project awards often contain certain complex requirements
- Intellectual property
- Insurance and indemnification provisions
- Return of unused funds
- Other matters establishing a quid pro quo relationship with grantor
Funding for sponsored projects may be received from individuals, corporations, foundations, and/or governmental entities (federal, state, local, or tribal government).
Proposals generally are submitted through a formal “Request for Proposal” (RFP) process and have significant auditing and/or reporting requirements. All grant awards to the university are administered by the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP).
Proposals to all local, state, tribal, or federal government agencies, including government established foundations (such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Science Foundation), automatically fall within the purview of the OSP. All proposals to contractors or grantors in the private sector (i.e., corporations and foundations) requiring specific performance objectives, detailed expenditure reporting, intellectual property, or confidentiality terms will be handled by the OSP.
Who can be a sponsor?
Sponsors are external entities that contract with or provide grants or cooperative agreements to the university for a particular project. Agreements can be as simple as a one-page letter that may or may not be co-signed, or hundreds of pages. The common element is that the terms are binding on the university.
- Individuals, non-profit foundations or organizations, for-profit companies, and federal, state, local or tribal government entities. Awards from governmental entities are ALWAYS considered sponsored projects.
- Private sector entities may act as either donors or sponsors depending on how the funds are conveyed.