The COGR 2023 F&A Survey provides a comprehensive overview of current practices, trends, and challenges related to Facilities and Administrative (F&A) cost rates at U.S. research institutions. Conducted between January and April 2023 with 119 respondents, the survey serves as both a benchmarking tool and an advocacy resource. Its findings reveal a diverse respondent profile, predominantly public universities, and a spread of institutions across size, federal research expenditure levels, and type. The data show that most institutions routinely propose F&A rates significantly higher than those ultimately negotiated, with the difference more pronounced among smaller institutions. Additionally, 100% of institutions exceed the statutory administrative cap, echoing longstanding concerns highlighted in past GAO reports. The survey also investigates institutional policies, consultant usage, waiver approvals, and compliance requirements, noting that a majority allow for F&A waivers under specific, often stringent, circumstances.
The survey underscores the growing financial burden that compliance and administrative requirements impose on institutions, irrespective of their size, with annual costs frequently surpassing $1 million for larger organizations. For smaller and emerging institutions, these costs are approaching prohibitive levels, with mid-sized organizations considering reductions in research activity scope, and even large universities evaluating portfolio restructuring. The report raises concerns about the sustainability of the current cost-sharing model, warning of potential impacts on U.S. global leadership in science and technology. It advocates for harmonizing federal agency policies, enforcing the principle of "fair share" for federal cost-bearing, and pursuing regulatory reforms that streamline compliance. The survey’s preliminary results thus provide valuable quantitative and qualitative insights, informing institutional strategies and federal policy discussions on the funding and administration of federally sponsored research.
