Webinar: A Direct Approach to Indirect Costs (aka F&A, Overhead, and ‘WTF Is This?’)

Thursday, April 27, 2023, 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET

Corporations often partner with universities to augment or supplement their own internally funded research. Projects range from a contract to test a specific component or product, to joint exploration of an area of discovery related to the sponsoring company’s industry. Whether one is currently working in a research-intensive university – or hopes to be at some point in their career – understanding overhead related to industry sponsored research is a key element for success. 

In our work as corporate relations/engagement officers, having this understanding becomes even more important as many universities migrate to holistic corporate engagement models. In a sponsored research project, expenses are classified by the university as either Direct Costs such as personnel, travel, and supplies; or Indirect Costs (also known as IDC, Facilities & Administrative costs (F&A), and Overhead) which include utilities, administrative support, information technology, facilities operations, maintenance, etc. Direct Costs can be attributed directly to the project with relative ease and a high degree of accuracy. Indirect Costs can become a source of confusion and frustration when negotiating terms for an industry-sponsored project and may slow or even derail the process of negotiation.

This live webinar will help participants gain a better understanding of IDC, how it is calculated by the institution, how it is distributed within the institution to support university operations as well as the primary investigator’s research (IDC Return), and suggestions for how it is best represented in a budget proposal to a potential industry sponsor. The 90-minute format will include ample time for Q&A.

Moderator:

• Richard Potter, Director, Business Engagement & Research Collaboration, University of Georgia

Panelists:

• Brian Ibsen, Senior Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, University at Buffalo
• Mark Nolan, Associate VP, Corporate Engagement, Georgia Tech
• Crystal Leach, Associate Professor of Practice, University of Georgia

*This meetup is open to NACRO members.

Click Here to Register