Is it a Service, Sponsored Program, or a Gift?
How do I determine if the agreement is a Service Contract, Sponsored Program or a Gift?
Each situation is unique & must be reviewed as a whole.
Past treatment of external support from a funder should not be a determining factor in the classification of new funding. Each new transaction should be viewed independently.
This quick reference guide was developed to help you make a determination between Service Agreements, Sponsored Programs, or a Gift.
Review more detailed guidance about Funding Sources.
| Elements to Consider | Service Activity | Sponsored Program | Gift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose / Function | Fee-for-Service / Similar goods/services provided to others as part of the business model | Mutual exchange involving the UW & external sponsor | Charitable contribution to UW or UW Foundation |
| Relationship | Customer / Vendor UW can be customer or a vendor |
UW & Sponsor | UW & Donor |
| Benefit | Primary benefit is for the customer | Sponsor & UW both benefit | UW benefits |
|
How does it support the UW? |
When UW is the vendor, revenue supports UW programs and/or operations | Mutual exchange supports and advances UW mission | Gifts to advance UW mission and the public good |
| Office handling & processing agreement | Campus unit as vendor? Contact your Dean’s office
Campus unit as customer? Follow UW Procurement guidance |
Office of Sponsored Programs reviews and accepts external support via the UW’s award setup process | Gift Services reviews & accepts and processes the gift
See APS 36.3 |
| Who manages or provides work? | Vendor provides a service to the customer | Principal Investigator & campus unit manage projects and expenditures | Benefiting campus units manage expenditures |
| Performance Measurement | Tied specifically to contract deliverables, not project objectives | Measured against meeting the project objectives | No performance measurement involved |
| Publications | Does not typically result in creation of project publications | Publication is expected | No funder restrictions / requirements on publication. May request copies. |
| Intellectual Property | Minimal chance for IP to be created under the contractor/vendor relationship. | IP rights detailed in agreements/contracts with sponsors | Created IP must be retained by UW. Funder may not place IP requirements on gifts. UW and Funder may mutually agree that IP should be available under an open-source license. |