Who is considered a recipient in the context of grants management?

In the context of grants management, a recipient is defined as an entity that receives a federal award directly from an awarding agency. This definition encompasses a wide range of entities, including non-profits, educational institutions, businesses, and governmental bodies, which are explicitly designated as the recipient when they are granted funds to carry out specific project objectives or programs as outlined in the award documentation.

The focus on direct receipt of funds is pivotal because it establishes a formal relationship between the awarding agency and the recipient, assigning specific responsibilities and compliance obligations, including managing the funds, reporting on program progress, and ensuring that expenditures align with federal guidelines. This relationship is foundational for effective grants management and accountability.

Other choices may describe entities involved in the overall grant-making process or partnerships that may exist within a broader funding landscape, but they do not fulfill the specific criteria of being a direct recipient. For example, organizations that develop grant proposals are often grant writers or consultants rather than recipients; partnerships of private entities may collaborate on projects but depend on an actual recipient to manage the award; and local government entities could be recipients if they directly receive federal awards, but the term "recipient" is not exclusive to them and can apply to many others as well. Thus, the definition of a recipient