The first step in submitting a grant application for SPA approval is to submit your draft budget. SPA Grants Specialists review all budgets carefully to ensure correct salary levels, and fringe benefit and indirect cost rates, and to check for compliance with Sponsor guidelines. Generally, your draft budget will be reviewed on the same day you submit it. However, SPA policy is that draft budgets must be submitted 48 hours prior to the grant deadline. Among the University's indirect costs are personnel and purchasing services, accounting services, operation and maintenance of the physical plant, library acquisitions and operations, etc.
Indirect costs are as real as direct costs.
The indirect cost charge is calculated by multiplying the applicable rate times the appropriate base. Fringe benefits cover costs of statutory and other benefits provided to employees, such as Social Security, Workmen's' Compensation, Health Insurance, Retirement, and Sick Leave. Fringe benefit must be budgeted for every salary that is budgeted, and included in a separate budget category from salaries. RF fringe benefit rates are available on the SPA home page.