Extramural Agreements
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When should I use a Grant?
A. When your principle purpose is to transfer money, property,
services, or anything of value to the recipient to stimulate or carry
out a public purpose with no involvement anticipated by the agency
during the performance of the activity.
Q. When should I use an Assistance Type Cooperative
Agreement (ATCA)?
A. When your principle purpose is to transfer money, property,
services, or anything of value to the recipient to stimulate or carry
out a public purpose and substantial involvement is anticipated between
the agency and the recipient during the performance of the activity.
Q. When should I use a Specific Cooperative Agreement
(SCA)?
A. When there is a research program or project that will be
jointly planned, executed, and funded where there is a documented
mutuality of interest in the program objectives.
Q. When should I use a Cost Reimbursable Agreement
or Research Support Agreement?
A. When the agency acquires, by purchase, goods or services,
including personal services, to carry out agricultural research, extension,
or teaching activities of mutual interest from a college or university.
Q. When should I use a Trust Fund Cooperative
Agreement (TFCA)?
A. When the agency is involved in cooperative research with
another party where the agency is paid in advance to conduct research
or for the other party to share in the cost of a research project
conducted by the agency, or for the agency to allow the use of any
facility or service.
Q. When should I use a Reimbursable Cooperative
Agreement (RCA)?
A. Under the same circumstances as a TFCA except the other
party (Cooperator) pays when billed by the agency for work completed.
Q. When should I use a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU)?
A. When you require a written legal plan for cooperation in
carrying out a new or ongoing research activity that does not require
the exchange of funds between parties. Cooperation in the execution
of the MOU places emphasis on working together toward common goals
of mutual interest, rather than in the sharing of funds in research
activities. All parties exercise their own authority independently
but cooperatively and maintain independent control of it's own resources.
Q. When should I use a Cooperative Research
and Development Agreement (CRADA)?
A. When the agency and another party conduct technology transfer
activities and the other party contributes funds to the agency in
partial support of the agencies' effort. Responsibility for these
agreements lies with the Office of Technology Transfer. (Link to OTT)
Q. When should I use a Contract?
A. To acquire specific goods and services which directly benefits
the federal government (agency). A contract establishes a buyer-seller
relationship. Responsibility for these arrangements lies with the
Acquisition and Property Division. (Link to PPD)
Q. What is the definition of "Mutual
Interest"?
A. The Office of General Council (OGC), in a written
opinion dated Feb. 11, 1985, rendered its interpretation of what constitutes
mutuality of interest. The opinion reads, " A mutual interest
in the objectives of the agreement exists when each of the parties
to the agreement has a need for a good or service and they pool their
resources to obtain their joint interests. In that circumstance, the
parties would have the same interest in the direct result of the agreement,
even though the ultimate use of that result by the parties may be
diverse. If each party to the agreement independently would have an
interest in obtaining the good or service, shared by each of the other
parties to the agreement, than a mutual interest exists. Cooperative
agreements entered into pursuant to this authority should be scrutinized
to determine whether there actually is a mutual interest in the direct
result of the agreement."