If you`re a researcher or faculty member at Washington University in St. Louis, you may have heard of the F&A Rate Agreement. But what exactly is it, and why is it important for your research funding?
F&A stands for Facilities and Administrative, also known as indirect costs. These are expenses that support research but cannot be directly attributed to a specific project, such as utilities, library resources, and administrative support. The F&A rate is the percentage of indirect costs that is charged to a grant or contract.
Washington University negotiates its F&A rate with the federal government every few years. The most recent agreement, signed in 2018, sets the university`s F&A rate at 57.5% for on-campus research and 26.0% for off-campus research.
What does this mean for researchers? When you apply for a grant or contract, you include the F&A rate in your budget. For example, if you have a $100,000 grant and the F&A rate is 57.5%, $57,500 would be added to your budget for indirect costs. This money goes back to the university to support facilities and administrative expenses.
It`s important to note that some funding agencies may have a cap on the F&A rate they will pay, so it`s important to check the guidelines of each grant or contract you apply for.
The F&A rate agreement also affects the university`s overhead costs. The more indirect costs that are covered by grants and contracts, the less the university has to allocate from its own budget. This allows the university to invest more in research infrastructure and support for faculty and staff.
In conclusion, the F&A rate agreement is a crucial aspect of research funding at Washington University in St. Louis. By understanding and incorporating the F&A rate in your budget, you can ensure that your research project is fully funded and supporting the university`s research mission.