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On May 19, 2017, the College of Natural Sciences announced that it is implementing a new policy for philanthropic research gifts and for Industrial Affiliate Programs (IAPs).

 

BACKGROUND 

Extramurally funded research includes an “overhead,” or Indirect Cost (IDC) component used to offset overhead expenses associated with the sponsored research conducted in academic departments and research units. These facilities and administrative costs include building and equipment use, operations, maintenance and utilities, departmental and sponsored projects administration, and capital improvements. Unlike many universities, UT Austin does not currently charge overhead on gifts for research or on IAP membership fees. However, there are real costs associated with gift-funded research that have to be covered by the university, the college, or the department or research unit.

To help pay for the support of research enabled by these philanthropic sources of funding, the College of Natural Sciences will assess a Research Support Charge of 5% on all new research gifts and IAP membership fees, effective September 1, 2017.

Recognizing the shared distribution of support costs, 50% of the recovered Research Support Charge will be allocated to the department or research unit that administers the 30-account or the IAP account. The other 50% of the recovered Research Support Charge will be allocated to research support services managed within the CNS dean’s office.

 

POLICY STATEMENTS

 

Research Gifts

It is the policy of the College of Natural Sciences to assess a fee of 5% on research gifts. The fee will be assessed on a research gift’s cash value as a gift is received. Fifty percent of the recovered support charges will be distributed to departments and research units on a quarterly basis. Fifty percent will be managed by the CNS dean’s office to support college-wide research activities and compliance requirements. The effective date of this policy is September 1, 2017.

 

Industrial Affiliate Programs (IAP)

It is the policy of the College of Natural Sciences to assess a charge of 5% against IAP membership fees. The charge will be collected as membership fees are received. Fifty percent of the recovered support charges will be distributed to departments and research units on a quarterly basis. Fifty percent will be managed by the CNS dean’s office to support college-wide research activities and compliance requirements. The effective date of this policy is September 1, 2017.