Externally sponsored awards (i.e., grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and sub-awards) are written agreements between the University of Iowa and the external sponsor who is funding the award.  The funds provided by the sponsor are restricted to a specific purpose, generally in the area of research, training, or public service.  If you are responsible for administering externally sponsored awards, you must understand the requirements and restrictions of each award, of the sponsor, of the University of Iowa, and other policies and regulations that may apply.  This course is intended to provide you with information regarding the documentation that you will generally receive with an award, including an overview of the internal Award Activation Authorization Notice and external documentation received from the sponsor, along with some considerations when identifying sponsor and award requirements and restrictions.  This is the first course in the Post Award Research Administrator Training series.