Defining a Grant or Contract Versus a Gift
It is not always easy to define funding. An award might not meet all of the characteristics in one area and some crossover may occur.
If any of the grant or contract characteristics apply, this is grant funding.
If all of the criteria fall only into the gift column, this may be a gift. Always contact a research program officer for verification.
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Award Characteristic |
Grant or Contract |
Gift |
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Source of funds |
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Funding provided by governmental agency |
• |
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Funding provided by private (for-profit or nonprofit) entity |
• |
• |
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Funding by an individual or an anonymous source |
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• |
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Process to apply for funds |
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Funds awarded in response to a formal request for proposal—RFP |
• |
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Principal investigator-defined scope of work |
• |
• |
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Funder-defined scope of work |
• |
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Funder’s intent with award |
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Charitable purpose |
• |
• |
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Funding an endowment |
|
• |
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Terms for use of funds |
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Funds are irrevocable |
|
• |
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Funds are restricted for a detailed purpose |
• |
• |
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Funds are unrestricted |
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• |
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Formal terms and conditions |
• |
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Use requires compliance office review (e.g., IRB, IACUC) |
• |
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No specific period of performance |
|
• |
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Facilities and administrative costs |
• |
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Outcomes generated from use of funds |
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Intellectual property owned by WMU |
• |
• |
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Intellectual property owned by funder |
• |
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Obligations to funder |
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Detailed financial and progress reporting |
• |
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Minimal or no financial and progress reporting |
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• |