Department-Level Benefits Overhead receipts typically provide the funds departments need to equip a laboratory, update a program, or pursue a new line of research. Without these funds, researchers and students would lack the modern tools and opportunities necessary to pursue n ew knowledge. Without overhead receipts, it would be virtually impossible to train graduate students in the technical disciplines. Training graduate students is a primary reason for university research. Increasingly, undergraduates also are learning by participating in research.
Overhead funds help support undergraduate research.
Campus-Level Benefits Overhead receipts are necessary to maintain campus facilities and equipment. Without overhead receipts, the University could not maintain the modern infrastructure required for research. The portion of overhead receipts allocated to campus-level administration covers some of the basic costs of conducting sponsored research at the university. These include the costs of processing proposals, managing accounts, keeping records, reporting accomplishments, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Benefits to North Carolina Overhead funds help sustain a research portfolio that attracts about a quarter of a billion dollars a year in grants and contracts to Carolina - a huge contribution to the state's economy.