Award Types

The information describes the differences among grants, cooperative agreements and contracts.

For additional information, review the outgoing agreement guide (PDF) from Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP).

Grant

Characteristics: Award is typically short with general conditions

Funding announcement: For unsolicited proposals (PA, FOA, RFA)

Award purpose: Transfer of money, property, services or anything of value to recipient in order to accomplish a public purpose

Sponsor’s role: No substantial involvement is anticipated between government and recipient during the performance of activity

Revenue management: Federal demonstration partnership (FDP) or FDP-like award management

Characteristics: Award describes involvement, party relationships

Funding announcement: For unsolicited proposals (PA, FOA, RFA)

Award purpose: Transfer of money, property, services or anything of value to recipient in order to accomplish a public purpose

Sponsor’s role: Substantial involvement is anticipated between government and recipient during the performance of activity

Revenue management:

Cost reimbursement = total estimate cost; not to exceed amt; invoicing based on expenditures, FAR clauses
Fixed price = total price, invoicing based on milestones or deliverables, FAR clauses. Generally, PO’s are fixed price.

Characteristics: Award is long, detailed specs, clauses, regulations and expected result

Funding announcement: For solicited proposals (RFP, RFQ, RFB, BAA)

Award purpose: Principal purpose is to acquire property or services for direct benefit or use of the federal government

Sponsor’s role: Government determines that procurement contract is appropriate (which can be very restrictive and have high demands)

Revenue management:

Cost reimbursement = total estimate cost; not to exceed amt; invoicing based on expenditures, FAR clauses
Fixed price = total price, invoicing based on milestones or deliverables, FAR clauses. Generally, PO’s are fixed price.