University research
Subtitle: policies for the reimbursement of indirect costs need to be updated : report to congressional committees
Publisher: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Washington, D.C.]
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] :
Number of pages: 66
Subjects: Rules and practice; Evaluation; Overhead costs; Research grants; Cost control; Accounting; Federal aid to research; United States. Department of Defense; United States
Other titles: Policies for the reimbursement of indirect costs need to be updated
Description: In fiscal year 2007, the majority of the Department of Defense's (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.
Notes: Title from cover screen (GAO, viewed Sept. 8, 2010).

"September 2010."

"GAO-10-937."

Includes bibliographical references.

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Mode of access: World Wide Web.