Consortium agreements, consortium site

15.1 General

This chapter includes the requirements for an applicant/recipient under consortium agreements in which the recipient collaborates with one or more other organizations in carrying out the grant-supported research. The recipient, as the direct and primary recipient of NIH grant funds, is accountable to NIH for the performance of the project, the appropriate expenditure of grant funds by all parties, applicable reporting requirements, and all other obligations of the recipient, as specified in the NIHGPS. In addition, the terms and conditions flow down to subrecipients in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200.101(b)(2) - the requirements that apply to the recipient, including the intellectual property requirements in IIA and the program income requirements of the award, also apply to consortium participant(s). Exceptions are noted in this chapter. The recipient is responsible for including the applicable requirements of the NIHGPS in its agreements with collaborating organizations (see Written Agreement in this chapter).

Under grants that include consortium agreements:

• The award will be made to a single recipient with a single PD/PI even though one or more organizations other than the recipient will carry out portions of the planned programmatic activity. When the multiple PD/PI model is used, all PD/PIs are listed on the award regardless of organization affiliation, with the Contact PD/PI so noted.
• The pass-through entity must perform a substantive role in the conduct of the planned research and not merely serve as a conduit of funds to another party or parties. This includes being able to provide appropriate oversight of all scientific, programmatic, financial, and administrative matters related to the grant.

Applicants are expected to detail their proposed collaborations as part of the grant application. If the application is approved as submitted, no further approval is required unless, during performance, the recipient plans to undertake additional or alternative collaborations that would constitute a change in the scope of the approved project (see Administrative Requirements-Changes in Project and Budget in IIA). Applicants for STTR grants should follow the specific requirements for research collaboration established for that program (see Grants to For-Profit Organizations chapter).

The following information must be provided to NIH as part of a competing application that proposes consortium arrangements:

• Include all proposed performance sites; those of the applicant organization and the consortium participant(s); and
• Non-modular grant applications must include complete detailed budgets for each consortium participant. Modular grant applications must include an estimate of consortium total costs (direct costs Costs that can be identified specifically with a particular sponsored project, an instructional activity, or any other institutional activity, or that can be directly assigned to such activities relatively easily with a high degree of accuracy. plus F&A costs Necessary costs incurred by a recipient for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective, and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefitted, without effort disproportionate to the results achieved. To facilitate equitable distribution of indirect expenses to the cost objectives served, it may be necessary to establish a number of pools of F&A (indirect) costs. F&A (indirect) cost pools must be distributed to benefitted cost objectives on bases that will produce an equitable result in consideration of relative benefits derived.) each year as part of the budget narrative justification (see Modular Applications and Awards chapter).

For the consortium site, it is appropriate and expected that someone will be designated as the consortium lead investigator responsible for ensuring proper conduct of the project or program at the consortium site. However, this individual must only be assigned the PD/PI role when a multiple PD/PI application is being submitted. Otherwise, this individual should be assigned some other project role in the Senior/Key Personnel The PD/PI and other individuals who contribute to the scientific development or execution of a project in a substantive, measurable way, whether or not they receive salaries or compensation under the grant. Typically these individuals have doctoral or other professional degrees, although individuals at the masters or baccalaureate level may be considered senior/key personnel if their involvement meets this definition. Consultants and those with a postdoctoral role also may be considered senior/key personnel if they meet this definition. Senior/key personnel must devote measurable effort to the project whether or not salaries or compensation are requested. "Zero percent" effort or "as needed" are not acceptable levels of involvement for those designated as Senior/Key Personnel. section of the application.

The signature (or electronic equivalent) of the AOR/SO on the application signifies that the applicant organization and all proposed consortium participants understand and agree with the following statement:

"The appropriate programmatic and administrative personnel of each organization involved in this grant application are aware of the NIH consortium agreement A formalized agreement whereby a research project is carried out by the recipient and one or more other organizations that are separate legal entities. Under the agreement, the recipient must perform a substantive role in the conduct of the planned research and not merely serve as a conduit of funds to another party or parties. These agreements typically involve a specific level of effort from the consortium organization's PD/PI and a categorical breakdown of costs, such as personnel, supplies, and other allowable expenses, including F&A costs. The relationship between the recipient and the collaborating organizations is considered a subaward relationship. (See Consortium Agreements chapter in IIB). policy and are prepared to establish the necessary inter-organizational agreement(s) consistent with that policy."

NIH may request additional information before award and may place a specific award condition(s) on the award.