Sponsored Programs Basics

https://ras.mit.edu/grant-and-contract-administration/sponsored-programs-basics

What Is a Sponsored Project?

A sponsored project is defined as an activity that is sponsored, or funded, by an external organization, such as a federal, state, or private organization or agency.

The characteristics of a sponsored project include:

• Specific scope of work or set of specific aims
• Financial accountability and/or reporting; the funds must be separately budgeted and accounted for
• Specific period of performance
• Deliverables, including a final technical report
• Disposition of property

Classification of Sponsored Projects

Sponsored projects are classified into one of three categories of University functions; these categories affect the calculation of MIT’s Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Rate:

• Organized Research
• Instruction or Sponsored Instruction
• Other Sponsored Activities

Types of Sponsored Awards

Sponsored awards may be made by using a variety of mechanisms, each with varying levels of expectation and involvement on the part of the sponsor.

How Are Sponsored Projects Generated?

Read more about how funding opportunities can arise through formal and informal means, including solicited, unsolicited and limited applications.

MIT Policy and Federal Regulations

• OMB’s Uniform Guidance
• OMB Circulars
  • Unallowables
• Types of Costs
  • Direct Costs
  • Facilities and Administrative Overhead (Indirect) Costs
    • Description of F&A cost pools
    • Determinants of on-campus or off-campus rate
    • Non-Research F&A rates and project accounts

Key Resources:

• Link to VP for Finance Unallowables
• Link to Research Administration Services Reference Manual (PDF)
• Link to Current F&A Rate Agreement and historic rate table
• EHS Role in MIT Grant Writing Process