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Example: Assembling a Generic Statement of Work
NOTE: This document is meant to provide recommendations for the preparation of a generic Statement of Work
(SOW) associated with a research study. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Announcement and General
Application Instructions for any specific SOW requirements.
The SOW is used by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) to assess progress in
completion of the scope of the work outlined in the proposal. It serves as the synopsis of the entire project.
During the entire period of performance, CDMRP will refer to this document to assess scientific progress and
success. The SOW should provide sufficient detail that upon reading, an individual unfamiliar with the project
can have a general understanding of the intent and approaches without referring to the proposal. However,
directly copying narrative from the proposal is not recommended.
Please consider the points below and include the following information (where applicable) when drafting your
SOW:
1. Date your SOW according to when it was written/submitted/last edited.
2. List all study sites, including addresses with countries where the work will be performed, that are
receiving Department of Defense (DOD) funds for the proposed project to include: partnering Principal
Investigators (PIs), sub-awardees or any other site where DOD-funded work is being performed.
3. Provide the specific aims as listed in the proposal.
4. Under each Specific Aim list associated tasks and subtasks. Please use 1-2 concise statements to describe
all key experiments from the proposal in the SOW. Detailed methodology is not necessary; state the goal
of the task/subtask and then provide general types of experiment(s) that will be used to achieve that
goal. (Example: Assess RNA expression of XYZ).
5. Next to each task/subtask indicate the study site that is responsible for completion by placing an “X” in
the appropriate column.
6. Provide a cohesive timeline that covers the entire period of performance and indicates the months
during which each task is expected to be performed. For example, Major Task 1 to occur in Months 1-3,
Major Task 2 to occur in Months 2-6.
7. If performing research involving animals, include a subtask for local institutional animal care and use
committee (IACUC) and United States Army Medical Research & Development Command (USAMRDC)
Animal Care and Use Review Office (ACURO) approval. Make sure to update the timeline of any tasks
involving animal research so that they do not overlap with the time period designated for ACURO
review/approval.
NOTE: ACURO approval must in be place before using DOD funds for the proposed animal work.
Please see: https://mrdc.health.mil/index.cfm/collaborate/research_protections/acuro for more
details.
8. If performing research involving humans, human anatomical substances, cadavers, or human cells
(excluding commercially available cell lines) include a subtask for local institutional review board (IRB)
and USAMRDC Office of Human Research Oversight (OHRO). Make sure to update the timeline of any
tasks involving these resources so that they do not overlap with the time period designated for OHRO
review/approval.
NOTE: OHRO approval must be in place before using DOD funds to conduct any research involving
human subjects/material as outlined in OHRO’s guidance.
Please see: https://mrdc.health.mil/index.cfm/collaborate/research_protections/hrpo for more
details.
9. For all tasks/subtasks involving animals or human subjects/human anatomical substances/human cells
(including cell lines), please indicate the species/strain, source, sex and numbers required as appropriate.
A table containing this information can also be included at the end of the SOW.