Welcome back to MicroLearning Mondays, our biweekly series of bite-sized research administration trainings brought to you by the Department of Contracts and Grants.
This week’s topic: Service vs. Research at USC: Understanding Service Agreements
Why It Matters: Service Agreements fall outside USC’s sponsored research framework and must be properly classified and managed to ensure compliance, protect intellectual property, and preserve academic freedom. Misclassification can lead to loss of publication rights, unintended transfer of intellectual property, delayed negotiations, and potential audit risk. Understanding how to distinguish services from research, apply the correct F&A rates, and engage the appropriate offices ensures agreements are handled efficiently and in alignment with University policy.
In This Video, You’ll Learn:
What a Service Agreement is and how it differs from sponsored research.
How to use the Scope of Work to determine proper classification.
Common examples of service activities and when services should not be used.
The process for submitting, reviewing, executing, and setting up Service Agreements.
How budgeting and F&A rates apply to service activities.
Key risks of misclassification and when to engage DCG or OGC.
👉 Watch Service vs. Research at USC: Understanding Service Agreements
Questions or Feedback?
We’re here to help! For anything related to MicroLearning Mondays, please reach out to Noah Congelliere in the Department of Contracts and Grants.