What's the difference between a Grant, Contract and Cooperative Agreement?

Grant: A type of financial assistance awarded to Brown for the conduct of research or other program as specified in an approved proposal. A grant, as opposed to a cooperative agreement, is used whenever the awarding office anticipates no substantial programmatic involvement with the recipient during the performance of the activities. Grants are normally awarded by sponsors whose purpose in supporting research is scientific, cultural, or philanthropic.

Contract: A mechanism for procurement of a product or service with specific obligations for both sponsor and recipient. Typically, a research topic and the methods for conducting the research are specified in detail by the sponsor, often in the Request for Proposal (RFP) which announces the funding opportunity. In general there are greater performance expectations associated with contracts, including project milestones and detailed deliverables (e.g., reports). The arrangement is usually designed to benefit the sponsor by achieving an expected outcome or product.

Important note: At the time of contract proposal submission a sponsor will often require an indication of what terms and conditions will be acceptable to Brown in the event of an award. Exceptions to a sponsor's contract terms are addressed by OSP in a transmittal letter accompanying the proposal. For many sponsors OSP will often include a copy of the standard “Brown University Research Agreement”. Investigators who are aware of special sponsor requirements should discuss them with their OSP Representative well in advance of the proposal deadline.

Cooperative Agreement: An award similar to a grant, but in which the sponsor’s staff may be actively involved in proposal preparation, and anticipates having substantial involvement in research activities once the award has been made.

See also: The “Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act”, Public Law 97-258 for additional information on federally sponsored projects. (31 USC 6303-6305)