Project Collaborators – non-SU partners
On occasion, the necessary expertise to accomplish a project’s goals is not available at SU. Such gaps may be filled by engaging investigators or scholars at other universities or institutions. Depending on the nature and degree of their involvement in project objectives, collaborators' work may be supported by a subaward to another organization or a consultant agreement to the individual.
These collaborations are ordinarily included in the proposal to clearly and strongly convey that all members of the project team are qualified and capable of doing the work proposed. However, for OSP to authorize a proposal that includes work to be performed by a named organization or individual, we need their written permission to collaborate and affirmation of their willingness to enter into a subaward in the event the proposal is favorably received.
RECOMMENDATION: PI/PDs and their collaborators should come to consensus about the funds or budget to be allocated to each partner as early as possible in the proposal development process. Clarity about whether these amounts are for total costs (direct + indirect) or direct costs only is particularly critical when developing applications to sponsors such as NSF.
For NSF applications, OSP strongly recommends using ‘collaborative research’ proposal option when possible. This allows funds to flow independently to each partner organization without the need for subawards.