IC Directors' Meeting Highlights |
November 9, 2006
Discussion Items I. Indirect Costs Dr. Norka Ruiz Bravo and Mr. Joe Ellis led a presentation and discussion of indirect costs (IDC), primarily focused on IDC affecting colleges and universities (as relates to OMB Circular A-21). While many items in IDC are capped or controlled, facilities costs remain relatively unrestricted. A recent survey commissioned by National Science Foundation indicated that research facilities expansion at colleges and universities is occurring with an increase in the amount of research space, investment in new research space, and new construction. To see how these trends have and will impact NIH, on-campus IDC rates were reviewed for the Top 50 Institutions from 2000-2008, using FY2004 ranking. Based on this data the following was observed:
If this trend holds, it is anticipated that IDC will represent a greater share of total costs to these institutions over time, potentially affecting direct costs received by NIH researchers and their personnel. This and the current budget climate could erode NIH's ability to invest in the direct costs of research, with budget reductions and rising costs translating into loss of scientists from the US intellectual pool. Action: A small working group (including OER and budget experts) will assemble to develop some options which address issues associated with increasing IDC and NIH budget in FY 07 and for the longer term. They will report to the Steering Committee in early November. II. Continuing Resolution Andy Baldus reported that the current CR will run through November 17th. A discussion ensued regarding the President’s budget and implications for competing and non-competing RPGs. This issue will need to be addressed in the future once the budget is proposed. Penny Wung Burgoon, Ph.D. |
This page was last reviewed on November 9, 2006 . |
National Institutes of Health (NIH) |