The process for accepting an award includes:

  • The Office of Research Administration (ORA) receives a formal notice of funding from the sponsor
  • The review and acceptance of the award
  • Account set-up in GMAS, Harvard University's Grants Management Application Suite

When a Notice is Received from a Sponsor:

A notice of award, also referred to as a notice, NOGA, NoA, contract, agreement, or award letter, is a notification from a sponsor indicating that a proposal has been funded. Notices of award are typically received by the pre-award officers, although occasionally a PI may be notified directly. Principal Investigators are not authorized to sign sponsored research contracts or agreements. All sponsored research agreements and contracts, if sent directly to the PI or the academic department, should be forwarded to ORA for review, sign-off, and processing. ORA will send notification of the receipt of the award notice via e-mail to the PI and appropriate department administrator.

Review of Terms and Conditions:

Before accepting an award on behalf of the University, the Office of Research Administration (ORA) reviews all terms and conditions, regardless of the sponsor, and is responsible for negotiating appropriate remedies if an award fits into one or more of the following categories:

  • contains provisions that are incompatible with the University’s policies on sponsored research
  • inconsistent with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance)
  • fails to include all elements agreed upon between the parties prior to the award
  • requires modification to conform to the Principal Investigator’s needs for a specific project
  • includes non-standard patent and/or licensing terms (Referral to the University's Office of Technology Development  may be necessary) The responsibility for the review and approval of all industry-sponsored research agreements at Harvard lies with the Office of Technology Development (OTD) should be consulted in the first instance when a relationship with private industry is being contemplated.

For more information on common issues requiring negotiation, see Agreement Terms Quick Guide.