Policy on Indirect Costs

Due to the limited amount of funds available for research awards and the nature of the Commission's goals and responsibilities, the Marine Mammal Commission has traditionally limited indirect costs for research grants and contracts awarded by the Commission to 10 percent of the total award. Indirect costs, or overhead, include, but are not limited to, operation and maintenance of facilities, general and departmental administration, and library expenses. Although the Commission recognizes the costs associated with the maintenance of research programs and the institutions that support them, the Commission believes it is necessary to limit its contributions to indirect costs to meet the unique and broad goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.