Awards for sponsored programs are made to JMU, not to individual PI(s). Therefore, JMU as an institution takes on all of the associated obligations associated with an award. For this reason, OSP must review all sponsored project proposals before submission and oversee the submission process (see Policy 2201). Our office includes JMU's Authorized Organizational Representatives, who are legally authorized to sign proposals on behalf of the university.
Not sure if your program is covered?
- Gifts are processed through Corporate and Foundation Relations. See our guide to grants and gifts.
- Some individual fellowships, which do not come to the university, also do not need to be approved and submitted by OSP. See our guide to individual fellowships.
We request that you get your full proposal and all internal forms to us five business days before the due date. This is because OSP must review your proposal to ensure that it complies with all JMU, state, and sponsor policies and regulations, as well as check that all appropriate internal JMU forms have been completed and approved, before your proposal can be submitted.
When Is OSP Involved?
Not all external funding opportunities go through the Office of Sponsored Programs. We assist specifically with grant funding; gifts generally go through Corporate and Foundation Relations. However, it can be tricky to determine what is a grant vs. a gift. The table below shows some of the key distinctions.
| Key Question | Grant or Contract | Gift |
|---|---|---|
|
Who is the funder? |
Government (federal or state) or a private funder |
Private funder |
|
Does the funder require detailed financial reporting? |
Typically require detailed financial reporting, including line-item budgets and effort reporting |
Funder may request basic financial reporting to assure proper gift stewardship |
|
Are the funds irrevocable? |
Unexpended funds generally must be returned at the end of the grant period or for non-performance |
Funds are generally irrevocable |
|
Are there penalties for non-performance? |
May have penalties for non-performance |
Generally do not have specific penalties for non-performance, although funder may decline future requests |
|
Are specific commitments made regarding deliverables or milestones? |
May have specific commitments |
Generally do not have specific commitments |
|
Does the funding agreement commitment the university to a specific project, generally through a scope/summary of work or research plan? |
Usually yes |
Usually no |
|
Does the funding agreement include terms and conditions for the disposition of tangible or intangible property (such as equipment or intellectual property) |
May include such conditions |
Generally does not include such conditions |
We recommend using this checklist to determine whether something is a grant or a gift. If you are unsure, please reach out to us at grants@jmu.edu and/or Corporate and Foundation Relations at cfr@jmu.edu.
Individual fellowships may or may not need to be processed through OSP. The flowchart below helps you determine when you need to contact us.
Note that even if an individual fellowship does not need to be approved and submitted by OSP, you may still need departmental approval. This is typically true if the fellowship requires you to be released from any teaching or other responsibilities and/or if you or the sponsor expect the university to "top-off" your salary. We always recommend consulting with your academic unit head or other representative before applying for a fellowship.
