Types of Awards

A gift is a donation to the University of cash or other assets (materials, property) made with charitable intent. It can be restricted for certain purposes but cannot obligate the University to provide any services or resources in return. A gift is awarded irrevocably.

• Pre- and post-award, contact:
  • External Relations.

A fellowship is a formal commitment to provide monetary assistance to an individual, usually to support advanced study and training.

• Pre-award, contact:
  • Office of Graduate Studies.
• Post-award, contact:
  • OPAFS.

A contract is a legally binding agreement between the University and an external entity, such as a private corporation or a federal agency.A contract sets forth terms, conditions, and costs of research, services, or resources to be delivered by the University to the entity for the entity's direct use or benefit.

• For awards for academic, scholarly, or research endeavors from private, federal, state, and local government,
  Pre-award, contact:
  • OCGA for campus departments
  • SIO Contracts and Grants for SIO departments
  • SOM for School of Medicine
  Post-award, contact:
  • OPAFS
• For clinical trial agreements,
  Pre-award, contact:
  • UCSD Medical Center
    Note: This is a secure site. If you are unable to access this site, please e-mail ccto@ucsd.edu to gain access.
  Post-award, contact:
  • Rita Trowbridge, SOM, (858) 822-4657
• For other contracts, agreements, and incoming purchase orders for services,
  Pre-award, contact:
  • Business Contracts
  Post-award, contact:
  • OPAFS
• For assistance on agreements for professional medical, patient care, or clinical services, contact UCSD Healthcare Medical Group & Medical Center, (619) 294-3794.

A grant is a legally binding agreement between the University and an external entity, such as a private corporation, non-profit foundation, or federal agency. A grant sets forth terms and conditions by which the external entity assists, supports, or stimulates University research and/ or provides services or other resources. The external entity receives no direct use or benefit of the research, service, or resource. A grant contains restrictions on how the funds are to be used by the University.

• Pre-award, contact:
  • OCGA for campus departments
  • SIO Contracts and Grants for SIO departments
  • SOM for School of Medicine
• Post-award, contact:
  • OPAFS

A service agreement is a legally binding agreement between the University and an external entity, such as a private corporation or federal agency. A service agreement sets forth the terms and conditions pertaining to specific goods or services to be provided by the University.

• Pre-award, contact:
  • Business Contracts
• Post-award, contact:
  • OPAFS for sponsored projects
  • Contact General Accounting for other agreements