UNIVERSITY RESEARCH: Policies for the Reimbursement of Indirect Costs Need to Be Updated
Abstract
In fiscal year 2007, the majority of the Department of Defenses (DOD) basic research obligations were provided to higher education institutions. DOD reimburses these institutions for both direct and indirect costs for research. Two federal agencies, DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), negotiate indirect cost rates used to reimburse higher education institutions for indirect costs on federally funded research awards, including DOD awards. GAO was asked to examine the following issues related to higher education institutions performing basic research for DOD: (1) the variation in proposed and negotiated indirect cost rates and factors that may contribute to variations; (2) how and to what extent the administrative cap and the DOD basic research cap limit reimbursement of indirect costs; and (3) the methods DOD uses for overseeing compliance with indirect cost reimbursement for grants. GAO surveyed a generalizable sample of higher education institutions performing basic research for DOD; reviewed agency guidance and policies; and interviewed officials from federal agencies, independent public accounting firms, and higher education institutions. GAO is making recommendations to address consistency in rate-setting and to improve oversight of indirect cost reimbursement. The agencies generally agreed with these recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- AD1174884
Entities
People
- Amy M. Lowe
- Angela Pleasants
- Anne-marie Fennell
- Art James
- Janet Mckelvey
- John K. Needham
- Kenneth Patton
- Mark Ramage
- Morgan D. Ramaker
- Pamela Davidson
- Penny B. Augustine
- Ruben Montes De Oca
- Scott Purdy
- Sharon Candon
- Susan Neill
- Suzanne Sterling
- Sylvia Schatz
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office