The table below an aid to assist in understanding some key characteristics to consider when determining what is a sponsored project, contract, or gift. Note that this is a tool to provide assistance, as the existence of one characteristic alone is likely not sufficient to make a determination. Agreements require careful review to protect the interest of the researcher and the TAMU System Member. Please work with your SRS contract negotiator to ensure the appropriate determination.
| Award Characteristic | Grants | Contract | Gift |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOURCE OF FUNDS | |||
| Funding provided by an individual | X | ||
| Funding provided by governmental agency | X | X | |
| Funding provided by private (non-profit) entity | X | X | |
| Funder remains anonymous | X | ||
| PROCESS TO APPLY FOR FUNDS | |||
| Funds awarded in response to formal RFP | X | X | |
| Faculty-defined scope of work | X | X | |
| Funder-defined scope of work | X | X | |
| FUNDER’S INTENT IN AWARDING FUNDS | |||
| Charitable purpose | X | X | X |
| Funding an endowment | X | ||
| Funding a professorship | X | X | X |
| TERMS OF USE | |||
| Funds are revocable (may be returned) | X | X | X (if donor is a private foundation) |
| Funds are irrevocable | X | ||
| Funds are restricted for a detailed purpose | X | X | X |
| Funds are restricted for a high-level generic purpose | X | ||
| Funds are unrestricted | X | ||
| Use of funds governed by funder guidelines/policies | X | X | X |
| Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) applicable | X | ||
| Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) applicable | X | ||
| Confidentiality of sponsored-provided information | X | X | |
| Certification and formal terms and conditions | X | X | |
| Use requires compliance office review (i.e., IRB, IACUC) | X | X | |
| Specific period of performance | X | X | X |
| No specific period of performance | X | ||
| Prior approval required for budget, scope or date changes | X | X | |
| Facilities & Administrative (Indirect) costs | X | ||
| Actual cost reimbursement | X | X | |
| Fixed fee reimbursement | X | X | |
| Milestone reimbursement | X | X | |
| Prepaid or payment schedule | X | X | X |
| Funder granted access to records | X | X | X |
| Funder may audit expenses | X | X | |
| University may terminate unilaterally | X | X | |
| Funder terminated unilaterally | X | X | |
| OUTCOMES GENERATED FROM USE OF FUNDS | |||
| Public benefits | X | X | X |
| Funder benefits | X | ||
| Outcomes uncertain/flexible | X | X | X |
| IP owned by system member | X | X | X |
| IP owned by funder | X | X | |
| Publication encouraged | X | X | X |
| Publication restricted | X | X | |
| Pre-publication review required | X | X | |
| OBLIGATION TO FUNDER | |||
| Detailed financial and progress reporting | X | X | |
| No financial or progress reporting | X | ||
| System member must return unexpended funds | X | X | |
| System member negotiated re-allocation of unexpended funds | X | X |