NPI includes three standard partnering approaches: direct awards to nontraditional partners, mentor awards, and leverage awards. Mentor awards are prioritized in this guide. Under a mentor award, the prime recipient (whether an international or local partner) must provide at least 50 percent of the award value to local entities or locally established partners in the form of subawards (including grants, cooperative agreements, or GUCs). This guide shares NPI recommendations and in no way replaces Official Agency Guidance on subawards.