Archived
Action Items for the Streamlining Working Group
The document outlines the action items of the Streamlining Working Group, aimed at enhancing efficiency and harmonization among foundations and research institutions in key administrative areas. The group plans to form specialized sub-groups focusing on (A) portal and application/proposal systems, (B) financial reporting and invoicing, and (C) common policies and terms such as data sharing and con
HHS and NIH Research Regulatory Reform
The document from the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) provides a comprehensive analysis of regulatory challenges faced by research institutions under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It details longstanding concerns about the escalating administrative burden and costs associated with federal research regulations, highlight
Recommendations for HHS and NIH Research Regulatory Reform
The document critically examines the expanding regulatory and administrative burdens faced by U.S. academic research institutions engaged in federally funded research, particularly under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Despite a series of expert and congressional reports since the late 1990s recommending streamlining and harmonization
Discussion Points on Facilities and Administrative Costs and Regulatory Reform
The document discusses the intersection of facilities and administrative (F&A) costs with ongoing efforts to reform research regulations in the United States. It emphasizes that while research institutions and academic medical centers support reducing unnecessary federal regulations to improve the use of research funds, any anticipated reduction in F&A costs tied to decreased regulatory bu
F&A Frequently Asked Questions
The document provides an in-depth explanation of Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs—also known as indirect costs—associated with federally sponsored research at U.S. universities. F&A costs are essential for maintaining the infrastructure and administrative support required to conduct high-quality research, including laboratory facilities, data management, compliance with health and
F&A Talking Points
The document addresses concerns raised by federal officials and the media regarding the proportion of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding allocated to indirect, or facilities and administrative (F&A), costs—often referred to as overhead. It clarifies that both direct and indirect costs together represent the full expenses of conducting federally sponsored research. F&A costs
F&A Primer
The document provides a thorough overview of Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs, also known as research operating or indirect costs, within the context of sponsored research at universities. It outlines the distinction between direct costs—such as salaries, lab supplies, and equipment, which are the primary focus of research funding—and F&A costs, which are essential infrastructural
