Outgoing Subawards - SOWs
Best Practices for Crafting a Strong Statement of Work
The Statement of Work (SOW) is a document that describes the scope of work required to complete a specific project. Each subrecipient receives their own separate SOW specific to their role. A well-written SOW is more than a project requirement; it's the blueprint for success.
At UMB, the subrecipient-specific SOWs play a vital role in:
📊 Monitoring subrecipient performance
📅 Tracking project milestones
🤝 Ensuring mutual accountability
Collaboration becomes seamless when expectations are clearly defined, especially in complex, multi-site, or interdisciplinary projects.
Steps for writing an effective SOW:
Step 1. Background: Define the “Why”
Start with context. This section should explain the problem or opportunity your project addresses and why it matters.
Include:
- The issue or opportunity being tackled
- Project goals and objectives
- Strategic importance or anticipated impact
- Relevant history or prior work
Sample SOW for Research Subrecipient:
- The proposed research addresses the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in hospital settings. The subrecipient institution will contribute to a multi-site study aimed at identifying genetic markers associated with AMR in clinical isolates.
- Issue: Rising antimicrobial resistance threatens effective treatment of infections.
- Goals: Identify resistance genes using whole-genome sequencing and correlate findings with clinical outcomes.
- Strategic Importance: Supports NIH’s mission to combat AMR and improve public health.
- Prior Work: Builds on a 2023 pilot study that established sequencing protocols and preliminary data.
Step 2. Scope: Define What’s In
Avoid confusion and scope creep by clearly outlining what the project will cover.
Include: In-scope deliverables, services, or features
Sample SOW for Research Subrecipient:
- Collect and process 200 bacterial isolates from their clinical microbiology lab.
- Perform DNA extraction and sequencing using Illumina platforms.
- Upload raw and processed data to the central data repository.
- Participate in bi-weekly project meetings and annual consortium workshops.
Step 3. Final Tip: Keep It Clear and Collaborative
A strong SOW:
- Protects your team
- Builds trust with collaborators
- Aligns everyone on shared goals
Sample SOW for Research Subrecipient:
- 200 high-quality genome sequences submitted by Month 6
- Metadata spreadsheet with clinical and phenotypic data
- Quarterly progress reports