Policy Perspective
Explain Facilities & Administrative Costs. You Have Thirty Seconds: February 2025 Meeting
The document provides an in-depth exploration of Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs in university research, covering their historical development, purpose, and current challenges. It explains that F&A costs, often misunderstood as “overhead,” are vital reimbursements compensating institutions for necessary infrastructure and compliance expenses associated with federally funded res
Considering the Potential NIH 15% F&A Cost Reimbursement Rate and Its Institutional Impacts: February 2025 Meeting
The document examines the potential impacts on higher education institutions of a proposed 15% Facilities & Administrative (F&A) cost reimbursement rate by NIH, featuring perspectives from university research and financial compliance leaders. Key topics include institutional responses to anticipated reductions in F&A cost recovery, such as adjustments in funding decisions, budget plann
Facilities & Administrative (F&A/Indirect) Cost Rates Are NOT a Percent of the Total Award Infographic
The document explains that a 50% Facilities & Administrative (F&A) cost rate, which is applied only to Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) rather than the total award, typically results in about one-quarter to one-third of total funding being allocated to F&A costs. This distinction is crucial for understanding that F&A rates are not calculated from the full award amount but only fr
COGR Responds to NSF RFC on Proposed Intellectual Property Options
COGR submitted a response to the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) request for comments regarding proposed new intellectual property (IP) frameworks for public-private partnerships, expressing concern that prescribed, inflexible IP terms could hinder successful technology transfer and commercialization of federally funded research. COGR argued that current practices, which allow for the negotiat
COGR Joins AAU and APLU Presidents in Submitting Joint Letter to Government Officials in Response to Unnecessary Disruptions to Federally Supported Research
The letter from the leaders of the AAU, APLU, and COGR expresses deep concern about recent disruptions to federally funded research resulting from executive actions and agency procedures, including interrupted payments, unclear directives relating to DEI compliance, abrupt project terminations, and a new NIH cap on facilities and administrative cost reimbursement. The authors urge federal official
COGR Joins in Community Letter to USDA on Research Access to Germplasm
The letter, addressed to Director Manjit Misra of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture at the USDA, expresses concerns from leading academic and research organizations regarding the USDA's October 8, 2024 announcement on research access to germplasm developed with federal funds. The organizations interpret the announcement as potentially signaling a move toward mandating unrestricte
COGR Submits Response to NSF's Comment Request: NSF PAPPG (NSF 26-1)
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing over 220 U.S. research institutions, submitted detailed comments to the National Science Foundation (NSF) regarding proposed revisions to the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG 26-1). COGR commends NSF's history of collaborative policy development but expresses concern over certain ambiguities, new compliance
Results from COGR/ARIO Survey of Research Integrity Officials on Final ORI Research Misconduct Rule
The document presents the results of a joint survey conducted by the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) and the Association of Research Integrity Officers (ARIO) between October and November 2024. The survey targeted research integrity officials at institutions responsible for implementing the revised Public Health Service (PHS) Policies on Research Misconduct, following the publication of a
Facilities & Administrative Costs of Research: One Pager
The document emphasizes the essential role of Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs—also known as indirect costs—in supporting federally funded research in the United States. It outlines how F&A reimbursements enable research institutions to maintain necessary infrastructure, comply with regulations, and ensure the safe and effective conduct of innovative research, ultimately benefitin
