Sponsored Research

Facilities and Administrative Cost Rates

(a.k.a F&A, Overhead or Indirect Cost Rates ) 

Background

In January 2011, the University of South Florida and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (the cognizant Federal audit agency) entered into a facilities and administrative cost rate agreement for USF and its regional institutions. The current agreement, dated August 20, 2021, sets the rates and conditions until June 30, 2023.

For the on-campus Research rate and all other facilities and administrative rates — the off-campus Research rate, the on- and off-campus rates for Other Sponsored Activities and the Affiliate (Moffitt) rate are listed on the table below.

These facilities and administrative cost rates are applied to a Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) base. MTDC consists of all salaries and wages, fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel and the first $25,000 of each subgrant and subcontract regardless of the period covered by the subgrant or subcontract. Equipment, alterations and renovations, charges for patient care and tuition remission, space rental costs, scholarship, and fellowships, as well as the portion of each subgrant or subcontract in excess of $25,000 are excluded from the MTDC calculation.

Negotiation for any rates other than the ones listed below must be handled by Sponsored Research and approved by the Director.

Indirect Cost Rates
Fiscal year is July 1 - June 30

Applicable to

FY 2023-2024
From 07/01/2023 - until amended

Base

Organized Research
(On-Campus)

 50.0% MTDC

Instruction (On-Campus)

46.0%

MTDC

Other Sponsored Activities (On-Campus)

34.5%

MTDC

All Programs
(A - Off-Campus)

 26.0% MTDC

All Programs
(B - Off-Campus)

27.5%

MTDC

A: Off-campus, remote includes locations outside the commuting distance of Tampa, Florida.

B: Off-campus, adjacent includes locations within the commuting distance of Tampa, Florida.


FY25 Fringe Benefit Rates
Employee Categories: Please note the following changes to employee categories for FY25. In FY24, Adjuncts were in OPS Faculty category but have moved to OPS Other. OPS Faculty has been renamed OPS Residents. 
Date Range Rate Applicable to:
7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025 32.2% Faculty
7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025 37.7% Administrative / Executive
7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025 49.6% Staff
7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025 5.8% OPS Other / OPS Student / Adjunct
7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025 10.8% OPS Grad / PhD / Post Doc / Fellowships
7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025 1.9% OPS Residents (Housing Staff / Medical Resident)
7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025 7.7% Bonuses
7/1/2025 - Until Amended
(Provisional)		   Use same rates and conditions as those cited for fiscal year

 

TOTAL DIRECT COSTS

The total direct costs base (TDC) consists of all budgeted direct costs, including salaries and wages, fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, subgrants and subcontracts in full, tuition remission, equipment and participant support costs.

INSTRUCTION

Sponsored Instruction means the teaching and training activities of an institution established by grant, contract, or cooperative agreement. These activities may be offered for credits toward a degree or certificate or on a noncredit basis, and may be offered through regular academic departments or through separate divisions, such as summer school or extension. (Research training is not included; it is considered Research.)

"Instruction" is the proper code when the primary purpose of the project involves training, curriculum development, instruction, demonstration, or efforts to improve pedagogical methods. Instructional projects may include some elements of research, particularly if new techniques of instruction or curriculum content are being developed. This does not change the definition of the project to "research."

OTHER SPONSORED ACTIVITIES (OSA)

"Other Sponsored Activities" are programs and projects sponsored by federal and non-federal agencies which involve the performance of work other than instruction and organized research. Examples include health service projects, community service programs, service and technical assistance projects, such as student assistance to corporations and government, and conferences. This category also includes sponsor-designed testing, clinical trials, evaluations, non-credit community education.

Note: If a proposal is solely to purchase equipment, the project should be coded according to the principal use of the equipment, e.g., research, instruction, or other.

EFFECTIVE DATE: JANUARY 1, 2011

Other Indirect Cost Rates

FEDERAL

Sponsor

 Source

Rate

 Base
Federal Agencies Federal Applicable F&A
Cost Rate		 Modified Total
Direct Cost

 

NON-FEDERAL

Sponsor Source Rate Base
State of Florida Agencies State Up to 25% Total Direct Cost
State of Florida Agencies Federal Applicable Federal Rate Received Total Direct Cost
SUS Universities State Up to 25% Total Direct Cost
SUS Universities Federal Applicable Federal F & A Cost Rate Modified Total Direct Cost
Florida Local Govt Agencies (Fla Counties, Municipalities, etc.) Non Federal 25% Total Direct Cost
Florida Local Govt Agencies (Fla Counties, Municipalities, etc.) Federal Applicable F&A Cost Rate Modified Total Direct Cost
Florida Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) Non Federal 25% Total Direct Cost
State of Florida Water Management Districts District Funds 25% Total Direct Cost
Non-state of Florida Agencies Non Federal 25% Total Direct Cost
Non-state of Florida Agencies Federal Applicable F&A Cost Rate Modified Total Direct Cost
Industry Federal and Non Federal Applicable F&A Cost Rate  
Non Profits, Foundations N/A **Subject to program guidelines or agency policy  
Unrestricted Gifts All 0% Total Direct Cost
Graduate Student Support / Tuition All 20% Total Direct Cost

 

CLINICAL TRIALS

Sponsor Source Rate

Base
Clinical Trials Federal Applicable F&A Cost Rate Modified Total Direct Cost
Clinical Trials Non Federal 35% All Clinical Trial Costs Except Administrative Start-up Fee, Pharmacy Set-up Fee and IRB Fees