The document outlines the efforts of the NFRIRPSC (also referred to as F&A), a working group comprising leaders from major research universities and nonprofit funders, focused on improving the understanding and management of Research Project Support Costs (RPSC) and the roles of facilities and administrative (F&A) costs within sponsored research. The group, convened at the COGR meeting in February 2019, recognizes the diversity in size, mission, and funding approach among nonprofit funders and emphasizes the need to create shared terminology and collaborative models that address both university and funder needs. Key topics discussed include the challenges universities face when funders do not cover full F&A costs, often resulting in significant subsidy and policy strain on research institutions, and the pressure from donors and boards that shapes nonprofit funder policy.
The document details collaborative educational initiatives, such as webinars, to improve mutual understanding of direct vs. indirect research costs and the implications of financial models used by both federal and nonprofit funders. Emphasis is placed on clarifying and categorizing research support costs, proposing a flexible "cafeteria plan" budget template to allow for more nuanced negotiations beyond the traditional 10% F&A cap typically used by foundations. The group advocates for ongoing partnership, especially in the face of potential federal administrative actions to limit F&A reimbursements, and underscores the need to document comprehensive cost contributions through both F&A and project support costs. Planned next steps include continued education, refining definitions, piloting new funding models, and broader engagement with both research institutions and foundations, recognizing this as a long-term process aimed at more equitable and sustainable research funding partnerships.
