• Specific deliverables are stipulated in negotiations.
• Project performance is monitored by the sponsor.
• Technical reports are required.
• Detailed financial reports are required.

2) GRANTS are made to support a specific project as outlined in a proposal. Grant characteristics include:

• Project usually has stated goals and objectives.
• The sponsor has expectations about how the funds will be spent.
• Grant deliverables may include formal project reports.
• A financial report is required.

3) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS are a grant-contract hybrid.

    Cooperative Agreements: This form of federal assistance involves both the Government and the grantee sharing responsibility for programmatic management of the project. Cooperative agreements anticipate "substantial sponsor (usually federal) involvement with the recipient during performance of the contemplated activity." Specific terms of collaboration are spelled out in individual agreements, which the ORA will review carefully with the investigator. In all other respects, cooperative agreements follow the policies applicable to grant.

4) GIFTS support diverse institutional activities. Three general features of gifts include:

• No deliverables are required from the activities supported.
• No formal reports are required.
• No formal financial reports are required.

7) Corporations (Direct giving programs)

8) Individuals

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Know the Funding Source...

1) Do they fund research?  What type of research?

2) Are there eligibility requirements for applicants?

3) How many applications are received?  How many are funded?   

4) What is the size of the typical grant award?  Are there restrictions on the use of funds?  Will both the direct and the indirect costs of your research be covered? 

5) What is the timetable for submission, review, award decision, and project start?  Can funded grants be renewed?

6) Do their grants typically represent the bulk of funding for a project?  Or are they content to fund pilot projects or small pieces of larger efforts?

7)  What is the application deadline?  Are there formal guidelines for preparing an application?  Do they accept unsolicited applications? 

8) How are grant applications reviewed?  Will scientists in your field be involved?   Should a non-scientist be able to understand your application?

9) Do they accept multiple applications from the same institution?  Would they ever simultaneously fund more than one grant from the same institution?

10) Who can you speak with concerning your application prior to submission?  Can this person offer substantive information concerning the competitiveness of your planned application?

Note:  The answers to some of these questions may be hard to find.  Funding agencies may not be able or willing to spend a lot of time teaching you about them.  It is best to appear somewhat knowledgeable when initiating contact with a funder; this is especially true for smaller foundations.  Try to obtain published information or contact the AECOM Office of Grant Support for assistance in your early research on a specific funding source.