Grant and Research Development

1.   F&A Primer Discussion

• Issues (Tom Martin):
1. The tone seems to be negative towards research, emphasizing that the F&A rate does not cover actual or “real” costs to the university. What are these “real” costs as all calculations are based on negotiated averages and not hard numbers.
2. No acknowledgement of Land Grant Mission requiring institutional (monetary) support/contribution to research.
3. Pg. 14 error in implication that indirect costs cover animal lab costs – these are charges as directs.
4. The explanation of what F&A pays for is very clear and good information for those seeking detail of why this recovery is important.
5. Please review document to make it more consistent with WSU mission as a land grant institution rather than making minor changes to a University of Washington Document .
• Other Comments:
1. Would it be possible to look at how the 17% recovery of F&A that has been calculated would be affected if we looked at the items typically charges as F&A that are allowable as direct costs on off-campus projects.
• SPS and OGRD Comments/Responses (Lori Selby/Dan Nordquist):
1. Agrees that we need to work on the tone to ensure that it is not interpreted as discouraging research as this was not at all the intent of the document. Researchers are currently doing a very good job at increasing the amount of research done at WSU and we would very much like to encourage this trend to continue.
2. Although the legislature does appropriate funds for minor capital improvement, minor capital renewal and minor capital safety it is not enough to cover the actual cost of deferred maintenance. In other words, it is important that WSU has world class facilities in which to conduct world class research. The calculated Facilities portion of the F&A rate includes capturing the building depreciation, equipment depreciation, building interest, libraries and cost of operations and maintenance.
3. Administrators in Business Affairs, the Office of Research and the President of the University understand the mission of a land grant institution and the fact that, in some cases, the granting agencies do not agree to pay the University’s F&A rate. We choose to accept these grants at WSU because of the extremely important mission of outreach to our community and public service (e.g. Diabetes Education, Food and Nutrition Education Program Center for Risk Management Education).
4. Research that captures the full 46.8% F&A DOES NOT SUBSIDIZE research that recovers less F&A; the projects recovering less than full F&A are subsidized by state funds.
5. OGRD appreciates this feedback and will forward information accordingly (Controller and Vice-Provost for Research)
• Other Institutional F&A Recovery (as compared to WSU’s 17%):
1. Land Grant Institutions:
• University of Idaho – 15%
• North Carolina State University – 18%
2. Non-Land Grant Institutions:
• University of Washington – 27%
• University of Oregon – 22%

2.   OGRD UPDATES , Andrea Comley:

• Introduce Brenda Griffin as the new OGRD Grant & Contract Specialist. Brenda started on December 1 st and is quickly taking on the responsibilities of her new job. We are thrilled to have her!
• OGRD has hired two new timeslip students to not only replace Carly, who graduates in December, but also to help cover some of the extra work while Jen and Shelagh are out on maternity leave.

3.   USDA/CSREES/NRI GUIDELINES , Jennifer Jansen :

• Jennifer has prepared a quick overview of the most critical parts of the 100 plus page RFP for the USDA NRI proposals. If you have detailed questions, you should still consult the full RFP, but this shortened version should help out with general guidelines. Also be aware that USDA-CSREES will be requiring electronic proposal submission through Grants.gov for particular programs and it will be important to coordinate with OGRD for these submissions.

4.   HEALTH PROPOSAL.NET , Jennifer Jansen :

• The NIH has created a free service to facilitate on-line submission. Anyone interested in pursuing this e-submission process for R01 Proposals with no subcontracts should contact OGRD to work out the details as this is a new system/process for all of us.

5.   SUBRECIPIENT MONITORING , Lori Selby/Christy Gilchrist:

• There are new compliance requirements that will involve site visits of at-risk subcontractors to insure subcontractor compliance with terms & conditions. These visits are NOT audits, but opportunities for us to assist our subcontractors with compliance.
• Christy Gilchrist went to the Colville School District to do a test site visit for the CO-TEACH program. This was a learning experience for both sides and viewed as a positive opportunity.
• PIs and Departments will be responsible for signing off on invoiced expenses to make sure subcontractors are following approved budget standards for costs as allowable/reasonable/allocable costs to the best of their knowledge.
• SPS Sub-recipient Monitoring Handout

6.   UPDATE ON THE A133 AUDITOR VISIT , Lori Selby:

• The biggest concern from the Office of Inspector General auditor has been ensuring that WSU has a system of checks & balances in place at the departmental level and central administration for compliance with expenditure requirements and guidelines.

7.   SOCIETY OF RESEARCHERS CONFERENCE , Dan Nordquist:

• March 7-9, 2004 will be the Society of Researchers Conference & Workshops in Spokane , WA . More information will follow as available via listserve.

8.   AGRICULTURE UPDATES , Dorothy Heitter:

• The College of Agriculture and Home Economics has officially changed their name to The College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences.
• Cooperative Extension has officially changed their name to Washington State University (WSU) Extension.

9.   DATE & TIME FOR NEXT MEETING TBA VIA RAC LISTSERV

Jen Raupp

Grant & Contract Coordinator

OGRD