Planning
Definition of a Sponsored Project
“Sponsored Research Project” is a specific research, training, service, or similar activity for which funding is provided by an external sponsor under an agreement with the University. Proposals meeting any of the following criteria are treated as a Sponsored Project and must be reviewed and endorsed by OSRG and signed by authorized individual before submission to a sponsor.
- The award requires a line-item financial report to the grantor/sponsor at any time during the life of the project;
- The award has a cost-sharing component (University, school, or department matching funds);
- The award is one of several to a project for which there is a project-wide financial reporting requirement (i.e., any of the granting/sponsoring entities require a financial report for the entire project);
- The grantor/sponsor controls the scope of the project and/or requires scientific or technical reporting of specific milestones as a condition of the grant/award;
- The award includes funds that will be re-granted or subcontracted by the University to non-SUU entities;
- The award includes indirect costs recoveries;
- The grantor/sponsor states in its award letter that it maintains the right to perform a detailed financial audit of the award expenditures;
- The proposal indicates a conflict of interest;
- The proposal contains the use of animals, human subjects, or hazardous agents requiring internal review by the appropriate committee;
- There are conditional obligations of the funding indicated in the award document or solicitation (e.g., time and effort, space, budget restrictions, return of unused funds, contingent payments, employment requirements);
- The award or solicitation contains intellectual property provisions, indemnification, hold harmless, provisions containing restrictions on publication of research results and other contractual provisions that place a degree of risk on the University.
Types of Awards
Sponsors use three main legal instruments to sponsor University projects: grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. For the sake of economy, this manual uses the term "grant" to refer to all award types unless otherwise specified. Where the differences among the instruments are relevant, this manual provides specific guidance.
Award Types
Pre-Proposal Considerations
- Is there is sufficient time to prepare a high-quality proposal. If unsure, consult with OSRG;
- Is there a demonstrable need? The lack of your project is not the need.
- Are facilities and space available are appropriate and sufficient for the project to be proposed. If not, discuss your needs with your department chair and/or dean early in the process;
- Assess your own strengths and weaknesses:
- Do you have the time? Is there a potential co-PI or collaborator at another institution?
- Do you have required lab space?
- Will the sponsor allow full recovery of facilities and administrative (indirect costs)? If not, discuss with your department chair and/or dean for approval;
- Does the sponsor require cost sharing of direct costs? If so, any commitment of University funds must be discussed with your chair and/or dean;
- Are human subjects or animals necessary for this project, or other compliance requirements such as HAZMAT, radiation, rDNA? If so, consult the OSRG;
- Is there a limit on the number of proposals SUU can submit for this competition? If so, please notify the OSRG;
- Are Letters of Intent, preliminary proposals or other pre-proposal activities are required? If so, consult with OSRG;
- Are there potential conflict of interest issues with this proposal? See Section 5.07 of the SUU Policies and Procedures Manual.
- Do you have a clear, high level project definition
- Ask who will benefit? Is the benefit measurable?
- Is the project consistent with the mission of SUU?
Grants Home
