Funding request template

Grant agreement signing request template

A grant agreement sets out the terms a recipient accepts when receiving funding, including the purpose, reporting, payment milestones and conditions.

Send a grant agreement request Browse all templates

What is a grant agreement?

A grant agreement is a contract between a funder and a recipient that sets the conditions attached to the funding. It covers the purpose of the grant, how the money may be spent, payment timing, reporting requirements and what happens if conditions are not met. For both grant programs and recipients, the signed agreement is the document that defines accountability for the funds.

This matters because grants almost always come with strings attached, and the agreement is where those obligations are made clear and enforceable. A signed agreement gives the funder confidence that the recipient understands and accepts the terms, and gives the recipient certainty about what they must deliver and report. Getting it signed before funds are released keeps the relationship clear from the start.

When to use a grant agreement

Releasing grant funds to a recipient once the terms are accepted
Confirming reporting and acquittal obligations before a program begins
Setting milestone-based payments tied to agreed deliverables
Recording a recipient's acceptance of conditions for an awarded grant

What to include in a grant agreement

Grant purpose: a clear description of what the funding is for and any limits on how it may be used.
Payment terms: total amount, payment schedule or milestones, and conditions for each release.
Reporting and acquittal: what the recipient must report, in what form, and by when.
Conditions and obligations: compliance requirements, record-keeping and any acknowledgement of the funder.
Variation and repayment: how terms can change and when unspent or misused funds must be repaid.

Pros and cons of sending a grant agreement as a signing request

Pros

Captures the recipient's acceptance of conditions before funds are released
Tracks opens and signatures so you know terms were agreed
Expiry keeps unsigned funding offers from staying open indefinitely
Completion receipt gives a clear record for both program and recipient

Cons and things to watch

A signature does not guarantee the recipient will meet reporting obligations
It does not handle ongoing acquittal, which still needs monitoring
Complex or large grants may need legal or financial review of terms
Conditions should be tailored to the program rather than reused blindly

How to send a grant agreement with Cosign

Upload the grant agreement to Cosign and preview it to confirm the amount, milestones and reporting terms are correct.
Add the recipient or their authorised representative as the signer using a verified contact email.
Set an expiry of around 14 days and apply password protection where funding details are sensitive.
Send the request, track opens and signing, and keep the completion receipt with the grant file.

Grant agreement request details

Email subject

Grant agreement signing request

Default message

Please review and sign this grant agreement if the funding terms are accepted.

Signer setup

Recipient or authorised representative

Suggested expiry

14 days

Button label

Sign grant agreement

Best fit

Funding teams

Grant agreement FAQs

Is an electronically signed grant agreement legally valid in Australia?

Electronic signatures are generally recognised under Australian electronic transactions laws when the signer agrees and is identifiable. A grant agreement signed electronically can be valid, though this is general information rather than legal advice.

Should the grant agreement be signed before funds are released?

It is generally best to have the agreement signed before releasing any funds. That way the recipient has accepted the purpose, conditions and reporting obligations before receiving the money.

Can I keep the grant agreement private when sending it?

Yes. Cosign sends each recipient a private signing link and does not publish the document, and the pages are not indexed by search engines. You can also add password protection.

Does a signed grant agreement guarantee the recipient will report properly?

No. The agreement records acceptance of reporting and acquittal obligations, but meeting them still requires ongoing monitoring throughout the funding period.

Who should sign the grant agreement on the recipient's side?

The signer should be the recipient or a representative authorised to commit the organisation. Cosign lets you direct the request to that person's email and records when they sign.