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
Interactive Presentation - Lifecycle of an Award
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.