Syracuse University F&A Rate Agreement: What You Need to Know
Syracuse University, like other universities and research institutions, receives funding for research projects from various external sources. These funding agencies, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), allow universities to recover a portion of the associated indirect costs through a mechanism known as the Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate.
The F&A rate, also known as the indirect cost rate, covers the indirect costs of research projects, such as maintenance of facilities and equipment, administrative and clerical support, and compliance with regulations. The F&A rate is negotiated between the university and the federal government or other funding agencies and represents the percentage of the total direct costs of a project that the university is allowed to recover as indirect costs.
On August 14, 2020, Syracuse University announced that it had reached a new F&A rate agreement with the federal government. The new agreement sets the F&A rate for sponsored research projects at 56.5%, an increase from the previous rate of 55%.
This new agreement applies to all new and existing awards from federal agencies that use the negotiated F&A rate. The rate will be in effect through June 30, 2022, after which time a new agreement will need to be negotiated.
The increase in the F&A rate is good news for Syracuse University and its researchers, as it will allow the university to recover a greater portion of the indirect costs associated with sponsored research projects. This, in turn, will provide the university with more resources to invest in research and support for its faculty, staff, and students.
In addition to the F&A rate, Syracuse University receives funding from other sources, including state and local governments, private foundations, and corporations. Each of these funding sources may have its own rules and regulations regarding the recovery of indirect costs, and Syracuse University must negotiate separate agreements with each of these entities.
Overall, the new F&A rate agreement between Syracuse University and the federal government represents a positive development for the university`s research community. It will help ensure that the university has the resources it needs to continue conducting groundbreaking research in a wide range of fields and disciplines. As a top-tier research institution, Syracuse University is committed to advancing knowledge and making a positive impact on society, and the new F&A rate agreement is an important step in that direction.
