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Research Services

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Types of Funding

What is a sponsored project?


A sponsored project is a program or project that receives partial or full funding through a grant or contract awarded from a source external to UTMB. Government agencies, private foundations, corporations, and other organizations are important sources for these funds.

 

The Office of Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) Pre-Award and Development, a division of The University of Texas Medical Branch's (UTMB) Research Services Department, and OSP - Finance are responsible for the pre-award and post-award administration of sponsored projects as well as clinical trials and contracts.

Definitions

 

An activity supported by external resources would generally require one or more of the following:

 

  • A proposal be prepared and submitted to the sponsor;
  • Terms and conditions be negotiated and accepted;
  • A line-item budget be approved;
  • Detailed financial and administrative management be maintained through out the project;
  • The award be subject to external audit.
  • A proposal routing sheet with all appropriate signatures.

 

GRANTS: A grant is an agreement by a corporation, foundation, government, or other entity to provide financial support for a specific university, office or activity that is subject to one or more of the following conditions:

 

  • Period of performance is specified;
  • Unspent funds are to be returned to sponsor;
  • Funds must be expended in accordance with an agreed upon budget;
  • Deviations from stated grant terms require sponsor approval;
  • Financial reports are required;
  • Additional financial terms and conditions are specified;
  • Performance reports are required.
  • Funds that are received by UTMB will normally be treated as a grant if any of the above conditions exist.

 

A grant is distinguished from a gift because of the conditions imposed by the sponsor upon UTMB. (Normally, "donations" made by individuals are defined as gifts.)


In the case of sponsored projects from government entities, the type of sponsored project-grant, contract, or cooperative agreement is determined by the government entity.


Contracts (Sponsored Projects): A sponsored project contract is an agreement by a corporation, foundation, government or other entity to provide financial support for a specific university program, project, or activity, in return for which UTMB agrees to provide project results to the sponsor. A sponsored project contract is not donative in nature, but rather is a mutually beneficial arrangement by which the sponsor supports a university project with the expectation of benefiting from the results of the project. UTMB is required to deliver the results of the project to the sponsor. Most often, the results are tangible items produced as a report of copies of publications. In some cases, the results are tangible items produced as a consequence of university research. A sponsored project contract is an agreement consisting of promises made by each party, each of whom is legally obligated to fulfill contractual terms.


Subgrants/Subcontracts: A subcontract or subgrant is a contract or grant to UTMB from a non-government sponsor that states funding has been provided by a government sponsor, or that incorporates government awards terms and conditions. Because government grants and contracts require financial and administrative time and attention similar to what is required for government awards, government grants and contracts are treated as if they are awarded directly from a government sponsor.


Cooperative Agreement: A cooperative agreement is a type of funding arrangement between UTMB and a federal government entity. A government entity awards a cooperative agreement when it desired active participation in the project, or when its internal procedures warrant the use of a cooperative agreement rather than a grant or contract. A cooperative agreement may have the elements of both grants and contracts.


Purchase Order: A purchase order is a legal document that constitutes a contract between a sponsor and UTMB. It must contain all pertinent details of the agreement. A purchase order may be cost reimbursable or fixed price. A cost reimbursable purchase order provides a reimbursement of expenditures as the project progresses. A fixed price purchase order is a set fee for work outlined.


Other Types of Awards:


Gifts: A gift is a donation of materials, services, facilities, property, cash or cash convertible assets to UTMB from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations. A gift is given without expectation of any return to the donor other than appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.


Gifts of financial support are classified either as restricted or unrestricted funds. Although UTMB is legally obliged to use gifts for the purpose specified by the donor, there is no additional obligation to the donor.


Gifts to UTMB of an unrestricted nature, or those restricted to general or generic program use, without consideration or obligation of performance, are not viewed as sponsored projects and are not administered by OSP.

 

If you are not responding to a published solicitation or call for applications or proposals, you may need to submit a Private Funding Approval Form to the UTMB Development Office for approval from the Executive Vice President/Provost/Dean of Medicine/President. Click here to download the PRIVATE FUNDING APPROVAL FORM and instructions.


Interagency Transfers: State or Federal agencies, on occasion will propose to conduct business with UTMB as a federal agency, and suggest providing financial support for a project by means of an interagency transfer of funds. These awards are generally administered through Finance/Accounting.


UTMB Internal Awards Program: UTMB provides opportunities for UTMB employees to apply for internal funding in support of their project activities at UTMB. For additional information, refer to: