Budget: Contracts

Common Contracting Concerns

Contracts, agreements, MOUs, facility use permits, material transfer agreements, data use agreements, etc. (collectively referred to as contracts) may not be signed at the department or college level, except for those which have been specifically delegated in writing by the President.  For additional information on contracting processes, click here.

Small, Short-Term Contracts

The Limited Research Services Agreement is designed to ease faculty burden in setting up and proposing small, short-term sponsored projects.

A Limited Research Services Agreement is designed for projects that meet the following criteria:

1. The total amount of the project is $15,000 or less

2. The total term of the project is 9 months or less (no cost extensions are allowed)

3. The project does not involve Intellectual Property

4. The project does not involve compliance issues (e.g. human subjects, animals, biosafety).

5. Payment will be made in full at signing (exception made for non-profit/school organizations, 50% at signing and 50% within 30 days prior to end date)

If the project meets the criteria above, the administrative costs of the agreement will be greatly reduced. For example, no invoices will need to be sent, Legal Affairs will not have to negotiate licensing agreements, there are no NDA’s or MTA’s in association with this project, Research Services will not have to negotiate an agreement, etc.

Due to the reduced administrative burden, the F&A (or indirect costs) associated with projects may be capped at 10% (dependent upon services required). 

Last updated: 4/27/2021