Sponsored Programs Overview 

The RF Relationship's with SUNY 

The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (RF) was founded in 1951 to serve SUNY and to capitalize on its scope, scale and diversity as an engine of New York's innovation economy.

The largest, most comprehensive university-connected research foundation in the country, the RF exists to serve The State University of New York (SUNY) by providing essential administrative services that enable SUNY faculty to focus their efforts on the education of students and the performance of life-changing research across a wide range of disciplines including medicine, engineering, physical sciences, energy, computer science, and social sciences. The RF is a private non-profit education corporation that is tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c) (3). Continue reading...

Sponsored Project - definition and characteristics

A sponsored project is defined as an activity that is sponsored, or funded, by an external organization, such as a federal, state, or private organization or agency to conduct research, training, educational activities, public service or other scholarly activities under a formal written agreement with The Research Foundation for The SUNY (RF), i.e., a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, where the presence of one or more of the following characteristics apply: 

• The proposal is submitted in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) or similar solicitation.  All such proposals shall be submitted via myResearch Grants for review and approval.

• The proposal includes a statement of work to be performed.

• The proposal includes a set of objectives. 

• The proposal includes a budget, and funding is awarded based on specific budget categories. Permission must be obtained from the sponsor to change the budget.

• There is a specified period of performance for conducting the project.

• The sponsor requires deliverables, which may include programmatic, technical, and detailed financial reports during or at the conclusion of the project.

• The award provides for the disposition of tangible or intangible property that may result from the project such as equipment, records, rights in data, software etc.

• Federal, state, or other governmental fiscal compliance policy governs the project.

• The project includes funds for facilities and administration (also called indirect costs or overhead).

• The award is revocable, or unexpended funds must be returned to the sponsor at a certain point.

• There are requirements for audits by or on behalf of the funding source.