Glossary · Match, Unite
Subaward
A subaward is the agreement through which the recipient of a federal award passes part of the funding and the work to another organization, such as a small business funding a university's share of an SBIR or STTR award.
How it works in a university-industry collaboration
The small business is always the applicant, so a university joins through a subaward. On an STTR, NSF's solicitation says the small business issues one to the research institution (NSF 26-510). The subaward sets the university's statement of work and budget, and on a grant the agency's terms usually apply the Uniform Guidance (NSF's solicitation, for example, requires pass-through entities to follow 2 CFR 200.332), so the budget uses the university's federally negotiated indirect cost rate where it has one. On a contract, the same arrangement is a subcontract under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. On SBIR, it holds the IP terms, and on STTR an allocation of rights agreement covers them. The university's sponsored programs office signs the subaward, not the professor.
Translation Box: subaward
On the academic side: a sponsored-research agreement under a federal prime award, run by the sponsored programs office.
On the industry side: the contract that pays the university from your award. It feels like a vendor agreement.
In this glossary: the academic meaning, which is why a university won't sign standard vendor terms.
How big is the university's share?
On STTR, at least 30% of the work, with the small business doing at least 40%. On SBIR, up to one-third in Phase I and up to one-half in Phase II, shared with any other subcontractors and consultants (SBA Policy Directive).
What Helikon does with it
A Helikon project can carry the SBIR/STTR agreement type, with a budget range and contract requirements.
On the Helikon platform, a project can carry the SBIR/STTR agreement type, with a budget and contract requirements. You can track your SBIR/STTR proposals and project execution by setting up a project with timelines, milestones, file and contract sharing, and discussion threads, and invite your collaborators to a shared workspace.
Sources
- National Science Foundation, 2026, SBIR/STTR Phase I, Phase II and Fast-Track Programs, NSF 26-510. nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/small-business-innovation-research-small-business-technology/nsf26-510/solicitation
- 2 CFR 200.332, Requirements for pass-through entities. www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.332
- U.S. Small Business Administration, 2023, SBIR and STTR Policy Directive (May 2023). www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/documents/SBA%20SBIR_STTR_POLICY_DIRECTIVE_May2023.pdf